Getting the job: Footwear design alumni are making their mark in the industry

Design industry is allways hungry for new talent and our recent graduates have found blossoming careers. We had the pleasure of talking to two of our standout alumna who are making strides in the industry: Maria Bierbaums, a creative mind now contributing to cutting-edge designs at Adidas, and Iris Kinni, who is shaping her future in 3D footwear design through an international internship at Footwearology, a Barcelona based innovation centre for footwear professionals. 

Their journeys from the classroom to the design offices of top companies offer inspiring insights into how their studies at HAMK equiped them with skills and vision to take the next step in their career. Iris and Maria share their experiences, challenges, and passions, shedding light on every design student’s question: How to land a job. 

What is your greatest strength as a designer?

Maria: I think my greatest strength as a designer is that I am inspired by everything. I try to always keep my eyes open to see the world and the people around me. I am also very curious and love to take risks. 

Iris: Curiousness to learn and try new things, this is always my number one motivation for everything I do. But more concrete answer would be 3D modelling. 

How did you get to your current position? 

Maria: Adidas was one of the reasons why I decided to study footwear design, because I wanted to get a job at Adidas. So I did an internship at Puma to get into the sneaker world, I made contacts, learned how to work in a big company and applied until I got the job I wanted. I can be very stubborn when I want something.  

Iris: I had been searching for internships abroad for a long time, particularly focusing on 3D footwear design. When I came across an internship application notice from Footwearology that aligned perfectly with my values and goals, I knew it was the right fit for me. The application process was swift: I applied, went through an interview, and within one month, I was already on my way to Barcelona." 

What are the biggest issues in the shoe industry?

Maria: Thinking about sustainability in the context of shoes, especially sneakers, starts with the question of what is a sustainable sneaker? Is it one made from “good” materials? But what exactly are “good” materials, and where do they come from? Is it a shoe that is durable, recyclable, and manufactured in Europe, under ethically sound conditions? And then it should be affordable for consumers and still make a profit for the company for it to be able to manufacture it? I think answering these questions is something (not just) the industry is struggling with. 

Iris: In my opinion it is the quantity and quality we produce new footwear. New collections are released in fast cycles, and either the shoes get worn out or out of style in a small period of time. After that they are hard to recycle and reuse. 

What is the biggest learning experience you have had?

Maria: Probably it was: if it doesn’t work out the first, second, or third time, try again! 

Iris: I don’t know if I can name one single experience, but I think every project has a point of self-doubt and pushing through those moments has taught me a lot. 

What have been the most surprising things you had to face throughout your career? 

Maria: How important connecting with people is and how small the “footwear bubble” is. 

Iris: After the first month of my internship, I got to join a work trip to Portland for a huge footwear industry exhibition. That definitely felt surreal and unexpected.  

How did HAMK design/footwear education prepare you for your career? 

Maria: HAMK gave me all the tools and opportunities I needed, and my teachers were always supporting me. But in the end, everybody has to know what they want to get out of their education and therefore must to invest in it themselves. I highly recommend taking Illustrator and sketching seriously, you will need it.  

Iris: In so many ways, but the biggest one has been the projects I have been able to participate throughout my studies. They all taught me a lot.

Is there any advice you would like to give to the current design students?  

Maria: Connect! Stay curious, be bold, and take risks! Believe in yourself and maintain a positive attitude. Be willing to learn and grow.  

Iris: Don’t be restricted by the image you might have of yourself, because almost anything can be learned. Try new things even if they feel too challenging at first. 

How do you see the future of the footwear design industry?

Maria: I am curious of what will come, I think we will see a lot of technology for sure. I think the industry has still a lot to offer.  

Iris: I wish for more long-term decisions in terms of design and production instead of hyper fast cycles. 

What can we learn from Iris and Maria?

They both have highlighted the significance of inspiration and curiosity in their work. Being bold and taking risks is part of designers work and mindset. Pursuing one’s dream job can demand some perseverance or an unexpected opportunity might be behind next corner. Iris and Maria recognize the sustainability issues the industry is facing, but they want to stay optimistic and work within the industry towards a better future. Overall, their stories inspire resilience, creativity, and a commitment to shaping a more sustainable future in footwear design.