Thomas Liebert
Freelance Footwear Designer - Industrial Design Consultant · TL Design
Laguna Niguel, CA
In My Own Words
Footwear Designer with 15 years of experience and a diverse portfolio in varying footwear categories. Passionate about trends, shoe making and innovations, I am able to translate ideas to proven commercial success.
Work Experience
Freelance Footwear Designer - Industrial Design Consultant
TL Design2005 – Present
Creating iconic and innovative products and brand experiences for companies that want to disrupt their categories and impact culture. Skilled in brand positioning, design direction, innovation strategy, color and material, product road-mapping, industrial design. Concept and innovation orientated with strong sketching and rendering skills. Ability to adjust quickly to changing environments, situations and specific country idiosyncrasies. Creation and development of short/long term footwear solutions, solo or within a team, to proven commercial success. Knowledge of each technical aspect of shoe construction, materials, pattern making, development and production. Excel in combining the creation of vision with the ability to actualize it. Clients include: -Skateboard Industry -Luxury sneaker Brand -Surf companies -Outdoor Brand -Snowboard Industry -Climbing Brand... thomas-liebert-design.com
Global Senior Footwear Designer - Innovation Leader
DC Shoes, Inc.2011 – 2018
Conceptualization and research of new technological and design innovations within DC footwear. Footwear design leading role for all categories: core and pro skate, street lifestyle, women, franchises and snowboard boots (2011 to 2013). Identify brand DNA and core competencies in order to work with Team leaders to develop over arching product strategy.
Footwear Design Manager
Ocean Minded2007 – 2011
Design direction, development and sourcing for all Ocean Minded's footwear. Launched new brand identity for Men, women and kids sandals and created Ocean Minded ‘s first line of closed toe shoes. In Charge of sourcing and developping the footwear line using sustainable materials and processes
Innovation Footwear Designer
Crocs2007 – 2011
Introduced true Design innovations in to the footwear line. ex: women “translucent Collection”, “Santa Cruz Collection” best sellers since 2010
FOOTWEAR DESIGN COUNSULTANT
TL DESIGN2007 – 2007
Billabong / Kustom Footwear USA / World Industries. / Burton Burton Design of the 2010 Burton Ion boot. BILLABONG, KUSTOM FOOTWEAR USA, Irvine, CA Trend forecasting, Design direction, sourcing and development of the US range WORLD INDUSTRIE, Newport Beach, CA Design direction for SS 2009, tech packs, colorways and development
Global Footwear Designer
Rip Curl2003 – 2007
Rip Curl Europe -FRANCE 06-2003 to 02-2005 Rip Curl USA 02-2005 to 04-2007 Responsible for the trend forecasting, conceptualization, design and development of multiple lines of footwear. Strategic product development through storytelling and cross-department coordination with each region’s product managers (USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil), to adapt products to the markets.
