Resumé

PERSONAL PROFILE

Having always been animated by all aspects of design, I chose to study a personal passion-footwear- from dual perspectives- both the manufacturing and design process.
Having studied a footwear technology course, discovering all aspects of the manufacturing process before studying design at De Montfort University gives me a unique edge over other designers. I am able to construct shoes from start to finish and my experience in this field has made me a more efficient, viable designer, I am able to anticipate structural issues in advance and have a very thorough understanding of shoe construction and materials.

INTERESTS

I believe my interests have given me a plethora of skills which are indispensable for working in the design world.

BASKETBALL

I have played basketball all my life, competing at national level, and attending various basketball excellence programmes abroad in areas such as U.S.A and Holland. My success is illustrated by numerous awards such as M.I.P and Dunks Champion.
Being submerged in the sport as an athlete has given me an excellent understanding of the requirements of a performance trainer, enabling me to provide innovative aspects to designs which will be commercially viable.
I have also coached various different teams, including the Special Olympics basketball team, who won gold in all categories under my instruction. The skills I developed are ideal for the design world and are transferable. I was selected to coach special needs due to my ability to think creatively, and communicate my ideas well in a lateral way. As a result of this position I am able to initiate, facilitate and execute projects with excellent organisational skills underpinned by patience and persistence.

DANCE/MUSIC

I have been apart of the B.boy scene for some years, and my natural ability to work well in a team was showcased during my time performing in Tru Street Dance. This culture is very image specific and developed my detailed knowledge of current fashions, but also instigated a desire to break the mould and start new trends.
It is these interests, sub stratas and subcultures which inspire my work and result in the rich fabric of my conscious.

EDUCATOIN

2006 –2008 BA (HONS) Footwear Design
De Montfort University

This course covered all aspects of design development, from CAD illustrative techniques to idea development, meeting briefs and criteria and interpretation of the footwear market.

2004 – 2006 HND Footwear Design Technology
Leicester College St Margret’s Campus

This course entailed the study of mechanics in footwear manufacturing, including development of material production, testing and advanced pattern cutting.

2001 – 2004 3 A levels Dance, Biology, Sports Studies
Josiah Mason College

1997 – 2001 9 G.C.S.E‘s Hamstead Hall School
Achievement:
April 2009
I won the Office Converse Design competition, securing commercial manufacture and mass production of my converse design, which will be sold in Office stores for the Summer 2010 collection.

Work History:

Focus International Junior Footwear Designer
September 2009-Present
At present I am working as a junior footwear designer, designing for various customers spanning several different brands. I manage projects independently, working to design briefs, incorporating knowledge of market trends with creative initiative to produce commercially successful and lucrative designs. This is facilitated by forecast research, store visits and liaison with sales teams, and utilises my footwear technology and construction background.

Pointer / Work Experience
May 2009
I assisted the head designer in developing Pointer’s marketing image for 2010, organising the sample catalogue, and contributing to art direction for Point of Sales.

Office: Head Office / Work Experience Buyer
May 2009
Involvement in the buying selection process in the women’s department, liaising with companies from Brazil, Italy and Portugal. Evaluating potential business pitches to the men’s department, in order to ensure high quality, commercially lucrative designs were secured to maintain the office brand image and ethos.

AMC Design House / Work Experience Footwear Designer
March 2009
My duration as a designer was spent developing the Summer 2009 range for brands Kenzo and Paul & Joe. Key responsibilities were market research, creating and developing viable design concepts, hands sketches and hand renders for the initial stages of design communication for both brands.

Soapbox
August 2008 – December 2008
As a freelance designer my job role entailed completing design briefs involving creative concepts, corresponding and presenting ideas, designing products to specification. Key skills involved use of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Projects by Reiss Theodore Dendie