Design Any Sole, For Any Brief.

With complete technical confidence.

Most footwear programs stop at the upper. At the Academy, we cover everything they skipped. With the technical depth, feedback, and practice to make it stick.

 
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Trusted By Designers At:

You can design beautiful shoes. You understand trends, and you know what the market wants.

Maybe you also have a footwear design degree, or years of industry experience.

And yet, the moment the brief needs a sole designed from scratch... you go quiet.

You try to guess your way through it. You tweak an existing sole, endlessly comparing your work to references.

You send it to the factory, and hope they don't send it back full of corrections...

But often, they do. And you're left wondering why.

Sole design is the one part of footwear that no one teaches.

Designers are told they'll just "pick it up on the job".

So they try to figure it out alone... through YouTube videos, LinkedIn posts, old university textbooks, factory feedback, and trial & error.

This is the gap Sole Design Academy fills.

  This IS for you if:  

  • You rely on colleagues for technical decisions and want full independence

  • You want to offer a more complete service as a freelancer, and charge accordingly

  • You want to qualify for technical, outdoor roles

  • You’re tired of relying on references

  • You'd like to stay competitive with a new specialized skill

  • You want to confidently explain your design decisions

  This ISN'T for you if:   

  • You’re looking for a general footwear course

  • You're looking for a 3D course.

  •  You're looking for a CAD course.

  • You're looking for a mould-construction engineering course.
  • You want to learn sole chemical compound formulas
  • You’re not ready to invest in becoming a specialized designer

  • You’re looking for shortcuts instead of technical depth

INTRODUCING:

THE SOLE DESIGN MASTERCLASS

THE ONLY COMPLETE SOLE DESIGN TRAINING IN THE WORLD

100% ONLINE AND SELF - PACED

NO SOFTWARE OR 3D SKILLS REQUIRED

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Meet Your Instructor:

Defne Yalkut

Defne is a technical footwear designer and sole expert based in Milan, designing for global brands.

She started her career in 2004 at Vibram, the world leader sole brand. In 2015, she created the niche Sole Design program at IED. 

She found her purpose in teaching ; sharing hard-earned knowledge with footwear professionals and aspiring designers.

She believes sole design mastery is what separates good from great: the point where creativity meets technical authority, and a design truly comes to life.

Nothing makes her happier than watching her students level up.

No matter your background, our programs will take you from uncertainty to technical clarity.

Here’s what you’ll design (confidently and independently) after just a few weeks at the Academy:

Student Highlight - Adam Frk

"Although I've designed soles before joining the Academy, I felt that I had huge gaps in knowledge that even the suppliers and technicians in China couldn't fill in.

That's why I joined Sole Design Academy, and I have to say that I don't regret one single euro! :)

I am also using the manuals and guidebooks regularly. The live sessions are also great!

Since joining, I have already designed & produced another sole for a footwear collection. The development process was much smoother, and the result is more competent.

All thanks to this Masterclass!"

 Does designing soles feel slow, almost impossible?

This is a skill that experience alone won't build.

Sole Design Academy gives you the complete sole design system. Including all the tricks and hidden rules most designers are never taught, but every factory expects you to know.

Step 1: 

MATERIAL & WORKFLOW MASTERY

Choose materials and moulding techniques based on performance needs and budget constraints. 

Move from brief to prototype faster, with a real structure. Design within manufacturing constraints from day one.

Step 2:

PERFORMANCE DESIGN MASTERY

Hiking. Trail running. Trekking. Winter. Basketball. Tennis. Safety.

You’ll understand the performance logic behind each segment, and know exactly how to apply them independently. No more guessing and "hoping this works".

Step 3:

SNEAKER SOLE DESIGN MASTERY

Now that you mastered designing technical soles for various segments, you'll master advanced design and decoration techniques for sneakers and urban footwear.

Think: spraying, painting, TPU film, digital printing, surface finishings and more. This will unlock a whole new world of authenticity.

Step 4:

PERFORMANCE-FIRST SKETCH MASTERY

Thanks to our step-by-step sketching workflow breakdowns, you’ll have a clear, repeatable sketching framework. 

All you need is a pencil and paper. We teach design, not 3D.

3 Programs. The Same Foundation. Different Levels of Guidance.

Choose What Fits Your Goals.
lightbulb, finally understanding sole design

Insider

Independent Learning

Learn the A–Z of sole design at your own pace.

Join our design feedback sessions, and learn from the feedback given to others.

Get full access to our 8-module Masterclass and the complete Technical Resource Library. 

Thanks to these precious manuals, you'll always have the performance rules, traction patterns and our materials & costing cheat sheets at hand.

Perfect for self-driven designers who want structure, clarity, and technical depth, without live feedback or implementation.

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Complete Mastery

Practice + Feedback

Go beyond learning. Get feedback as you start applying your new skills.

You’ll master the full sole design system, access to the Technical Resource Library, design your own trekking and sneaker soles using our structured briefs, and receive live feedback during our monthly group critique sessions.

You’ll also get feedback on two of your designs, access to the Technical Resource Library, and certification upon completion.

This is for designers who want accountability, expert feedback, and tangible projects, not just information.

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1:1 Mentorship

6 Months of Tailored Coaching

Work 1:1 with Defne on either:

  • A sole project of your choice, with expert guidance and feedback at every step. 

    You’ll receive personalized 1:1 coaching through every phase of development. No guesswork. No gaps. No uncertainty.

    or

  • A strategic portfolio upgrade to upgrade your positioning and helping you specialize. All while mastering the full sole design process 1:1.

+ Everything in Complete Mastery

Show Me the Program

"After taking the Masterclass I applied the technical knowledge into a New Balance / Pensole apprenticeship application & I ended up getting accepted - my career took off from there."

Nico - Footwear Designer @ Alexander Wang

"This is one of the best investments I've made in my professional development. The course helped me identify mistakes in my design process that I hadn't noticed before.

If you want to go deeper into footwear development and truly understand the relationship between function, aesthetics, and biomechanics, this is exactly what you need."

Christina Kutsiy

 After getting hired at La Sportiva, Laurits said:

"Thank you for making this community for like-minded people who want to have a good chance at getting a job in the industry. It helped me to better understand what drives performance in footwear and how to apply it."

Laurits Faaborg 

"During my recent meetings I felt more confident providing feedback on construction, materials, and design. I also find myself being more critical of my design lines to ensure the designs are feasible.

I really appreciate learning from Defne's experience and am grateful to share this valuable journey alongside so many talented designers."


Amalia Castro

"The course was invaluable to me, not just in learning key fundamentals of sole design in a variety of categories, but also in getting detailed insight into the benefits and limitations of various manufacturing techniques."

Charles - Senior Footwear Designer @ Footsoldiers

"When I moved to the U.S. from Ukraine, the course helped me to land a job quickly.

After completing your course I developed over 15 soles in two seasons, and my colleagues began coming to me for advice."

Tatiana Kalashnik - Lead Footwear Designer

 

"After all the precious information you gave, going to the shoe store felt completely different.

I found myself happily lost among the outsoles, finally understanding the performance rules behind each choice. "

Basak Scarpino

"I am changing my footwear sector from sport/ casual, to more high-performance, I believe your course will help me have a much better start!"

Elizaveta - Footwear Developer @ Birkenstock

"Defne's course was my first real introduction to the footwear world, with her I learned the whole process of sole design, from brief to final product. There is not a day I won't use the knowledge she taught me."

Ibai Fletas - 3D Designer @ Camper

All Your Questions, Answered.

FREE MINI-MASTERCLASS

To help you design your next sole with a real system: 

I've recorded a Free Sole Sketching Mini-Masterclass.

You will watch as I sketch a running sole from scratch, focusing on manufacturability and performance requirements.

This way, the next time you sketch, you will be able to replicate my workflow and know how to sketch with a performance-first approach.

SEND ME THE MINI-MASTERCLASS!

Apply all of this to your projects, Today:

  1. Module 1: Sole Types, Materials & Moulding Types

    19 lessons
    1. Welcome to the Academy! Start here 👟✏️⭐️
    2. Lesson 1: The Importance of Sole Design
    3. Lesson 2: History of Soles
    4. Lesson 3: Sole Types - Cupsoles
    5. Lesson 4: Blockers
    6. Lesson 5: Half-Soles and Top-Lifts
    7. Lesson 6: Vulcanized Soles
    8. Lesson 7: Multi-Material Soles
    9. Lesson 8: 3D Printed Soles
    10. Lesson 9: Sole Materials - Rubber
    11. Lesson 10: Sole Materials - EVA
    12. Lesson 11: Sole Materials - Polyurethane
    13. Lesson 12: Sole Materials - TR - PVC
    14. Lesson 13: Sole Materials - TPU
    15. Lesson 14: Sole Materials - Carbon Fiber & Gel
    16. Lesson 15: Moulding Types - Compression Moulding
    17. Lesson 16: Moulding Types - Direct Injection Moulding
    18. Lesson 17: Moulding Types - Injection Moulding
    19. Final Mission 1 Instructions

  2. Module 2: From Brief to Prototype

    18 lessons
    1. Lesson 1: Steps of Sole Design
    2. Lesson 2: Timing - Brief to Prototype
    3. Lesson 3: Brief
    4. Lesson 4: Last and Laster Upper
    5. Lesson 5: Sketching
    6. Lesson 6: Thinking in 3D
    7. Lesson 7: Definitive Black and White Design
    8. Lesson 8: Rendering
    9. Lesson 9: Preparing Tech-Pack
    10. Lesson 10: 2D Design Check
    11. Lesson 11: 3D Design Check
    12. Lesson 12: Mock-Up
    13. Lesson 13: Textures and Finishings
    14. Lesson 14: Technical Map
    15. Lesson 15: Sample Sole Check
    16. Lesson 16: Sole and Upper Integration
    17. Final Mission 2 Instructions
    18. Final Mission 2 Instructions

  3. Module 3: Sports Performance Rules

    12 lessons
    1. Lesson 1: Soles and Biomechanics
    2. Lesson 2: Minimal vs. Maximal
    3. Lesson 3: Sole Segments - Trekking and Mountaineering
    4. Lesson 4: Sole Segments - Trail Running
    5. Lesson 5: Sole Segments - Road running + ETPU
    6. Lesson 6: Road Running vs Trail Running Soles Comparison
    7. Lesson 7: Sole Segments - Sailing & Water Sports
    8. Lesson 8: Sole Segments - Winter / Snow / Ice
    9. Lesson 9: Basketball
    10. Lesson 10: Tennis
    11. Lesson 11: Work Safety an Special Soles
    12. Final Mission 3 Instructions

  4. Module 4: Sketch with Me from Scratch: Trekking Sole

    10 lessons
    1. Lesson 1: Design Class - Trekking Sole Introduction
    2. Lesson 2: Design Tools - Brief & Flex Line
    3. Lesson 3: Setting the Layout
    4. Lesson 4: Sole Profile Design - Part 1
    5. Lesson 5: Sole Profile Design - Part 2
    6. Lesson 6: Bottom Design Layout
    7. Lesson 7: Designing the Perimeter Lugs
    8. Lesson 8: Central Lug Design
    9. Lesson 9: Final Clean Drawing
    10. Mission 4: Design Your Own Trekking Sole! - Instructions

  5. Module 5: Urban Sole Design Techniques

    8 lessons
    1. Lesson 1: Major Sole Inventions
    2. Lesson 2: Retro Sneakers
    3. Lesson 3: Obtaining Volume
    4. Lesson 4: Obtaining Layering
    5. Lesson 5: Effects and Applications - Part 1
    6. Lesson 6: Effects and Applications - Part 2
    7. Lesson 7: Digital Design Applications
    8. Final Mission 5 Instructions

  6. Module 6: Sketch with Me from Scratch: Sneaker Sole

    7 lessons
    1. Lesson 1: Design Class - Sneaker Sole Brief
    2. Lesson 2: Layout of Profile Design
    3. Lesson 3: Defining Bottom Design
    4. Lesson 4: Layout of Bottom Design
    5. Lesson 5: Defining Bottom Design
    6. Lesson 6: Adding Details and Marker Rendering
    7. Mission 6: Design Your Own Sneaker Sole! - Instructions

  7. BONUS Module 7: Fashion Soles

    21 lessons
    1. Lesson 1: Fashion Soles Introduction
    2. Lesson 2: Dress Soles
    3. Lesson 3: Half Soles, Flat Soles & Top Lifts
    4. Lesson 4: Injected Leather Soles
    5. Lesson 5: Moccasin Soles
    6. Lesson 6: Die-Cut Wedges
    7. Lesson 7: Covered Wedges
    8. Lesson 8: PU Wedges
    9. Lesson 9: Cupsole vs. Blocker
    10. Lesson 10: Creative Wedges
    11. Lesson 11: Moulded Heels
    12. Lesson 12: Sćulpted Heels
    13. Lesson 13: Toe-Spring on High-Heels
    14. Lesson 14: High-Heel Design Rules
    15. Lesson 15: High-Fashion Sneaker Soles
    16. Lesson 16: Branding-Focused Soles
    17. Lesson 17: Outdoor-Inspired Fashion Soles
    18. Lesson 18: Sandal Soles
    19. Lesson 19: Injected EVA Sandals
    20. Lesson 20: Sheet & Surface Design
    21. Final Mission 7 Instructions

  8. BONUS Module 8: Sustainable Sole Design

    7 lessons
    1. Lesson 1: Bio-Based Materials
    2. Lesson 2: Natural Sole Materials
    3. Lesson 3: Recycled Sole Materials
    4. Lesson 4: Repair, Upcycle & Recreate
    5. Lesson 5: No-Glue Upper & Sole Integration
    6. Lesson 6: Design Principles of Sustainable Soles
    7. Final Mission 8 Instructions

  9. Technical Manual Library

    10 lessons
    1. Trekking Sole Brief (Design Your Own)
    2. Sneaker Sole Brief (Design your own)
    3. Sustainable Sole Design Guide
    4. Size 42 Last: Trekking
    5. Sports Performance Rules Manual
    6. Grip and Traction Handbook
    7. Common Errors Prevention Guide
    8. Material Properties and Costing Guidebook
    9. Lug Design Guide
    10. Sole Design Glossary

  10. BONUS: Maximalist Running Sole Sketching Session

    1 lesson
    1. Complete Running Sole Sketching Session