On the Importance of Experimentation
From the very beginning of my adventure with shoemaking, I was very involved in the experimental phase of the creation process. That’s the advantage of a self-taught craftsmen people. Even if you undergo proper training at some point, you will still keep that original curiosity deep in your heart.
An open perspective allows you to constantly ask questions, whereas in other circumstances, you would simply take for granted what has been instilled in you. I believe experimentation is key to creating something different and unique. Although in many cases, it may simply not work. What’s important, though, is that you’ll eventually end up with at least one idea, one technique, that will make that whole journey worth it.
I listen carefully to interviews with other shoemakers. In one of them, Daniel Wegan talked about how, at the beginning, it is enough to carefully watch videos and photos of the works of other craftsmen, and then figure out how to do it yourself. Coincidentally, this was my approach from the very beginning. This kind of feedback is so satisfying. You receive the necessary confirmation that you are on the right track to move forward, armed with double self-confidence.
My standard workflow takes me through each stage, like a walk through the forest, with beautiful clearings constantly emerging. The most engaging part is the upper design, as I find this stage the most challenging to complete. The bottom making is just pure fun for me. Last making is a different story and definitely deserves a whole new blog post.
In my process, I fully rely on my imagination. I never make sketches, create mood boards, etc. I improvise instead. Ideas come from dreams, or a daydream-like moments during my day. I capture them as images in my head, and they almost always make me reflect and ask myself: Is this even possible? And if so, how? Sometimes these visions cannot be translated into reality, which can lead to frustration.
In future blog posts, I'll be sharing more about my experiments. You'll get a closer look at my DIY process, my ideas, and my goals in general. I know I'm original. You haven't seen how many interesting designs I have up my sleeve yet.