online course - LEVEL: All

AI for footwear

New AI applications are launched every week now, but how do you know which ones to choose and how do you effectively apply AI to improve your design workflow?

This online course consists of recorded video classes, live demos and discussions and weekly playground and Q&A sessions,

We will start from the basics - what is AI and why would you want to use it - and then build from there, using text to image AI, text to 3D model, 2D to 3D, text or image to video etc.

When you join the course you also get access to all classes that were held previously, so you can follow and review them at your own time and catch up on any subjects you might have missed.

The course price gives access for one full year. 
Would you join a live class around this visual forecast that talks about the technology behind the Yeezy Foam Runner and how this could evolve into the future? Leave your email below to receive an invitation!

COURSE FORMAT

Recorded Video Classes

Every few weeks we upload new video classes, so you are always up-to-date with the latest AI applications for ideation, design, virtual prototyping, 3D modeling, as well as visual marketing.
Most applications we demonstrate have a free trial version, but not all of them. We are not demanding that you buy any of the applications we demonstrate; you can also just follow the video demo and then decide if this application might be worth spending money on. Most applications offer monthly subscriptions; we always advise those over annual subscriptions, since new and improved applications come out all the time and you want to be able to switch if needed.

Live classes

We are organizing regular live classes that allow you to speak directly with guest experts. In these classes we get an exclusive look behind the scenes of new AI applications and we discuss a wide array of topics related to AI, giving you a bigger perspective and deeper insights.

We also use these classes to demonstrate applications that we develop ourselves specifically for our course participants.
Over the past years we have become experts in AI and we have developed several GPTs and other apps that are extremely useful to footwear innovators, designers and developers.

Playground classes

We recently added a new type of class: the Footwearology Playground, which takes place every Friday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM CET. In these sessions we play around with various AI applications, practicing with new workflows and answering any questions that might you might have. This allows participants to freely experiment with AI, learn from each other, as well as collaborate. 

These sessions are also great for networking and to have fun! Since this is the end of the week for most of our participants, we publish a weekly AI-generated cocktail recipe - including a non-alcoholic version - to enjoy together while we do an AI free flow. 

Upcoming live classes

Last Comes Second - Saturday February 15 - 4:30 - 5:30 PM CET

In this live class we will give an overview of the latest developments in AI applications for the creation of 3D models. Together with Alex Gabriel and Zvonko Vugreshek of Pixolid we will discuss how AI will affect the 3D footwear design workflow in the future AND  we will present the new app that we developed with them, which allows you to easily shape a 3D generated shoe around a last and then subtract that last from it in one click, so within minutes you have a 3D-printable and wearable shoe without needing any 3D modeling skills at all! Course participants can use this app for free after this live class!

The live classes are free for course participants. You will automatically be able to access them through the course platform. These classes will also be recorded so you can review them later, Would you like a separate ticket for the class? You can buy one through the button below:
Footwearology Playground - First edition: Friday February 21, 2025
4:30 - 5:30 PM CET

This will be our first weekly Playground session, where we experiment with smart and creative combinations of various AI applications. For these we aim to use only applications that offer free trials, so anyone can join in. 

We will determine an AI challenge for each Playground session. This will be announced ahead of time, together with the AI-generated cocktail recipe of the week! (Also in 0.0 version). This way we can end the week in style and enter the weekend with a refreshed brain!

The Playground sessions are only accessible for course participants. Since this is an informal class that also uses breakout rooms, so we will not record it. What happens on the Playground... stays on the Playground :). We will however share results on the course platform!

AI workflows

Commercial workflow: generating a shoe from current trends

Step 1.
Selecting two existing shoes as inspiration, removing logos with AI to prevent any unwanted branding in the end results
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Step 2.
Merging the two shoes in AI,  creating a multitude of options, choosing the best result based upon trends, target group and price. The video with the shoes merging is also made in AI.
Step 3.
Generating a mood board to present the shoe within the right fashion context, using Footwearology´s own AI moodboard generator. These images are all AI generated, using the shoe as inspiration.
Step 4.
Using another AI application to show the selected shoe on a model from the moodboard. This could be a brief for marketing regarding photoshoots, but eventually these applications could also create the actual marketing material.

3D design workflow: generating from 2D to 3D

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We do not just work in 2D, but in 3D as well. Here you see how a single 2D image made in Midjourney was transformed into a rough 3D model in a matter of minutes by Kaedim's AI rendering platform.
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We also demonstrate how to create full workflows with AI and other software applications. For instance, here you see how online 3D modeling service Desmia used Kaedim's AI-generated 3D model as a base to create a high quality render that could be used for e-commerce.

AI + Automation

As we get further into the course we will start including more advanced workflows, showing how to connect AI to other digital design applications in order to further optimize your workflow from design to manufacturing, as is shown here in this sequence, where we go from digital data foot scan data to sole molds with AI textures.

If you want to really benefit from those classes we recommend you also follow our 3D design courses. 
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Focusing on vision

We do not think that AI will take over all jobs in the near future, but we do believe that knowledge of AI will be essential to keep your job and improve your workflow.

The main thing to focus on is not the software as such, but the development of your own vision. You will only reap the benefits of AI if you know what to ask of it and how to select and curate the multitude of suggestions given by AI. 
That is why we believe AI is actually an ideal tool for experienced innovators, designers and developers.  Besides going over the latest AI applications and explaining their implications, we will also work on creating and translating personal vision. 

Below you see how that approach resulted in high-level yet very different designs for each of the participants on one of our previous AI courses. All these images are created with AI.

Course Lessons

Only the first month is planned ahead, if sudden new AI developments arise the schedule might be adjusted. Class 5 will be announced once class 3 has finished. This way each new class is announced one month ahead of time.
Each live class is recorded and will be published one day after it was held. Every participant will receive access to all previously recorded classes, so you can start when you like and catch up at your own pace.
Meet your instructor

Nicoline van Enter

Nicoline van Enter is one of the founders of Footwearology and Footwearology Lab. She is a world-renowned technology forecaster and visionary thinker, working for tech builders and brands around the world. She has already been working with various kinds of AI for several years and received early access to several of the current AI platforms for design. In this course she will teach how AI works and will focus on creating vision. For the live classes she will have several guest lecturers.
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Footwearology is the only academy for footwear professionals. We enable you to gain the knowledge that will get you, and the companies you work for, ready to create and embrace a better future. All our courses take place online and/or in our LAB in Barcelona, Spain.

Besides teaching, we do research and consulting, focusing on redesigning the entire footwear supply chain by directly connecting technology suppliers, creatives and social media platforms.

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