Richard Ward
Senior Footwear Designer - Special Projects @ Converse
Amsterdam, NetherlandsI have lived and worked in 4 countries for 4 of the biggest sports brands over the last 10 years. During this time I have worked on everything from entry level commercial product all the way to highly technical, conceptual performance footwear. I have also designed for, and collaborated with, cultural icons, celebrity musicians and professional athletes.
Having worked in both the automotive and footwear design industries I have gained valuable knowledge of design from a conceptual and commercial aspect, applying key elements, such as team work, an eye for detail and a persistence to create the very best products.
Having worked in both the automotive and footwear design industries I have gained valuable knowledge of design from a conceptual and commercial aspect, applying key elements, such as team work, an eye for detail and a persistence to create the very best products.
Work Experience
Adidas
Mens Footwear Designer Originals
Footwear designer for the German sports brand adidas, creating sport style and lifestyle products for the men's Originals business unit.
• Advanced material and construction (HF and HM welding, 3D printing, aqua tech printing)
• Seasonal Creative Direction input
• Co-operation in seasonal material stories and selection
• Development of rubber and full EVA tooling’s
• Creation and development of advanced concepts
• Cross category collaborations
• Seasonal development travel (Vietnam)
• Advanced material and construction (HF and HM welding, 3D printing, aqua tech printing)
• Seasonal Creative Direction input
• Co-operation in seasonal material stories and selection
• Development of rubber and full EVA tooling’s
• Creation and development of advanced concepts
• Cross category collaborations
• Seasonal development travel (Vietnam)
April 2011
- Present
Herzogenaurach, Germany
Le Coq Sportif
Junior Footwear Designer
Designing lifestyle and performance footwear for Le Coq Sportif International in Paris. Working on briefed and non-briefed projects from a research phase to production.
• Market and trend research
• Ideation and sketch development
• Material and Colour direction
• Prototype development
• Experience with vulcanised and cold cement factories
• Seasonal development travel Asia and Europe) (Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Portugal)
• Market and trend research
• Ideation and sketch development
• Material and Colour direction
• Prototype development
• Experience with vulcanised and cold cement factories
• Seasonal development travel Asia and Europe) (Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Portugal)
June 2009
- September 2010
Paris, France
WGSN
Freelance Sneaker Trend Contributor
Complied a bimonthly report on sneaker trends within London, highlighting key trends in the market for sport and lifestyle sneakers.
• Attending launches and events
• Realising new trends
• Colour and Material vision
• Editorial skills
• Attending launches and events
• Realising new trends
• Colour and Material vision
• Editorial skills
December 2008
- June 2009
London, United Kingdom
Puma
Design and Development Assistant
Product development and design for the Black Station footwear division responsible for the delivery of top fashion Puma footwear including the lines Rudolf Dassler Schuhfabrik, Mihara Yasuhiro for Puma, The Black Label, Urban Mobility by Hussein Chalayan and Alexander McQueen for Puma.
• Market and trend research for the senior design team
• Assisting in the design of inline product
• Material and Colour direction assistance
• Advanced development
• Special projects and special make up assignments
• Market and trend research for the senior design team
• Assisting in the design of inline product
• Material and Colour direction assistance
• Advanced development
• Special projects and special make up assignments
August 2007
- June 2009
London, United Kingdom
Education
Huddersfield University
Bachelor of Arts - Transport Design
May 2003
- May 2007
Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Languages
English (Native),
Awards
Loughborough University
Best Design Concept
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