I'm Michael Douglas, a Footwear Designer and Pratt Institute graduate. Passionate about footwear, I believe great shoes combine form and function to enhance the wearer’s experience, whether it’s a pair of basketball shoes in Harlem, hiking boots in Killington or sandals in the Caribbean. From sneakers to slippers, I design with the goal of making every step more comfortable and stylish.
At Pratt, I immersed myself in various design disciplines, which helped shape my versatile approach as a designer. After graduating, I joined Ignition Footwear, where I contributed to a wide range of brands like Joe’s Jeans, FILA, and Original Penguin. This experience taught me to adapt to different brand identities and collaborate closely with teams to create products that sell well and meet consumer needs.
I’ve also had the opportunity to travel extensively for work, especially to China, where I gained hands-on knowledge of footwear manufacturing processes, pattern-making, and factory collaboration. These trips have been invaluable in refining my design process and deepening my understanding of materials, production, and new technologies.
What drives me most is teamwork and collaboration. I thrive in environments where ideas are shared and refined, and I'm always eager to step outside my comfort zone. My goal is to leave a lasting impact on the footwear industry through creativity, efficiency, and high-quality designs.
Here’s to innovation, creativity, and having fun doing it! Aside from footwear, please take the time and view my Art/Design section to learn more about me.
— Michael