it takes 5 countries to make 1 pair of shoes

Read Time: 3.9 minutes

I couldn’t sleep on my first 15 hr Economy class trip to China.

Not because of the cramped seats or the passenger snoring next to me.

I was about to witness something most designers never see: 

The real cost of every design decision we make.

Most designers think their sketch goes straight to production: Draw it, approve it, make it, ship it. It’s a collaboration between a few companies, maybe in different countries, right?

Not exactly. 

I learned at the facility in China that the design isn’t the hard part about making shoes.

Design talent alone won’t cut it. 

As designers, we only see the illustrator sketch or Autodesk CAD, but each design choice has a tangible impact on how it’s made. 

But it doesn’t matter if you’re the best designer in the world.

If you can’t get your shoes to be made & distributed by others, then it’s not happening. 

This is why clients want to know,

• “Why this compound?"

• "Why this silhouette?"

• "Why these laces?" 

They're not questioning your creativity.

They're testing your understanding of the business.

Every design choice is a business decision.

Each sketch and feature have an impact, and to win client work, you must convey the why behind your design rather than the what your design is. 

It takes 5 countries to make 1 pair of shoes

When the plane landed on the tarmac, I rushed over to the factory to see how shoes get made.

And what I saw was eye-opening:

• Shoe components sourced from different facilities.

• Hundreds of hands touching a shoe before it’s finished.

• Assembly lines tailored for each shoe’s unique needs.

It was humbling. 

When I was a designer, I didn't always think about the real impact of my design requests. Seeing it firsthand changed how I work.

Now, I practice Holistic Design—thinking beyond the sketch to how a product affects the entire supply chain. That’s how you build great shoes and great partnerships.

• Design in one country, materials from another 

• Seamless global coordination is key

• Production across multiple nations 

Your job as a footwear company is to ensure perfect alignment. 

Here’s how I practice Holistic Design:

Holistic Design: Thinking beyond the Sketch

1. Material Impact

• Cost implications

• Production timeline

• Supplier relationships

2. Production Reality

• Assembly requirements

• Timeline management

• Quality control points

3. Global Coordination

• Communication systems

• Risk management

• Backup suppliers

Your turn: Know the impact of your designs.

Next time you sketch a new design for a design brief, consider: 

• Where you’re sourcing the materials

• Scalability across different sizes

• Proper fit and shape

With these in mind at the design stage, you’ll impress your clients with your depth of knowledge.

Cheers!
Erin

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