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Interview with Marcos shoe designer Kokavec
Kokavec Marcos, who studied both Automotive and Industrial Design at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit has more than 12 years of experience and designed shoes for Reebok, Converse and Under Armour. Currently working on Under Armour Senior Footwear as head of design for operation and outdoor categories.
In 2008 he founded Render Demo Design Studio and published by the DVD of video tutorials to educate designers and artists to draw and make the shoes in Illustrator, Photoshop and Alias Sketchbook.
Marcos will host two meetings with Adobe Illustrator in Northeast District Conference IDSA during March 27 to 29 in Cambridge MA.
First, thank you very much Mark for taking the time to offer the first interview here in Product Design Hub.
Could you tell us a little about your background, what made you become a shoe designer?
Thanks for letting me share my experiences with your readers!
My path to becoming a shoe designer began at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit in Michigan. Automotive Design I had studied a couple of years and in the transition from product design in an effort to broaden my design skills. Always had been interested in footwear and was one of the first students to sign up for interviews when Reebok became a national recruitment search. I was the designer lead to more tennis I have a strong passion for it. I had the opportunity to design products for Venus Williams, Michael Chang, Andy Roddick, Patrick Rafter and many more professional tennis players. After six years I moved to Converse, in an effort to build its basketball division. I worked very closely Chris Bosh, Kirk Hinrich and most importantly … Dwyane Wade. I designed all basketball shoes led to his first signature shoe, which helped me to manage and developed.
After three years I was approached by Under Armour to help build the group of shoe design. I was the second shoe designer for company. I currently head up the implementation and outdoor categories.
Could you describe your design work flow and tools?
I've gone completely digital! From concept to final design drawing representations. Everything is done digitally using an Apple MacBook Pro, Wacom Cintiq, monitor and programs Photoshop, Illustrator and Sketchbook Pro
Where is your inspiration come from?
I am inspired by many things, but my main sources of inspiration comes from the Automotive Industry and Motion Picture Industry. I like the aggressiveness of sports cars, especially BMW, in combination with the creative imagination of artists in the entertainment industry really inspires me.
What is your most favorite own design and why?
The design I'm most proud is that I created to Under Armour ™. It is the first basketball shoe Under Armour and are not sold at retail. It's exciting because it is the first shoe to them and the fact that you can not actually buy it special. A rising star and is called Brandon Jennings has been wearing it.
What is your favorite design and why?
That's a tough question! I really like The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. What intrigues me most about the Eames brothers was that they were always in the forefront of design and pioneered many innovative technologies that we use common today. This chair is next on my list to buy for my office.
What are the pros and cons of being a designer shoe?
There are many professionals. Quick turn times. You're always working on a new project, which takes about 15 months drawings for sale at retail, and has four seasons of the release dates. Once you start a new project, which is in the middle of last season and is already finalized and that before that! Designs change with fashion and that is always fresh. If you're in the sports industry, then you have the opportunity to meet athletes professional performance and design specific to the type of product at a sport. You are able to cross over into different categories with different standards and specifications the product. For example, if soccer tacos design and transition to outdoor shoes ratios change with the buildings and other subtle details. You get traveling around the world in terms of the category of potentially in. All ages can use their designs, from adults to children! Most of the time you have total control over their own projects. You get to see through the initial phase of design, materials and color selection, all the way to work the factory in manufacturing.
How does your work influence your life? (In other words, how you look at the shoes?)
It has a great influence on my lifestyle. I go to the execution and outdoor footwear design categories, which allows me to run my own designs. I try to run as much as possible on different shoes so you can better design the next round of shoes. I have so many pairs of shoes in my closet (As my wife!).
Where do you think the future of shoe design is heading in the next five years?
I see a Total digital and 3D in the future. Some of us are already there and drawings right on your computer. It is faster, and speed up the process and we will be closer market.
What can we expect from Render Demo Design Studio soon?
We have much to do.
"A new page redesigned website will launch soon!
-A few new DVDs that teach the basics of design. I'll be showing everything on paper in my previous videos were on all the screenshots. This will allow viewers to actually see how to hold a pencil, turn the paper, make mistakes, etc. It is more or less a focus on hands.
"We are also looking for designers to submit their work in a sort of competition as the format where I and other industry leaders to vote and select the best for the launch of a book. Designers whose work is selected for the book will receive a free copy! Each designer will have its includes contact information for this book becomes a reference for business. It is like a resume. It will give them a global exposure.
Thank you for this interview, any last words or suggestions you want to share with the next shoe designers?
Whatever whether the land is in or studying, remember that passion is the key! If you do not have a passion for what you are doing now, STOP! Find out how you can do what you are passionate about a. Never stop trying and never let someone else tell you not have what it takes or you're not good enough.
"Vive your dream! "
This was fun! I hope that reading future interviews of other designers.
– Mark
About the Author
Waikit Chung is editor at www.ProductDesignHub.com
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