3DFootwearAcademy
Official Icad Universe Trainer

Transform your career in 3D Footwear Design

From beginner to professional in 8 weeks.

The hands-on course for those who want to work in the footwear industry using the most in-demand 3D technologies — no prior experience required.

  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Lifetime access
  • Certificate included
Black leather performance hybrid sneaker with lime accents — 3D course concept render

Brands That Trust Us

Diesel
Dsquared2
Giorgio Armani
Just Cavalli
Maison Margiela
Diesel
Dsquared2
Giorgio Armani
Just Cavalli
Maison Margiela
Why now

Why 3D Footwear Design is the most sought-after skill in the industry right now

Explosive Demand

78% of global brands have already integrated 3D. Companies are actively seeking designers who can cut sampling time by 40%.

Career Leap

A junior 3D designer earns on average 25% more than a senior traditional 2D designer.

Top Brand Standard

Industry giants have made 3D workflows mandatory for all suppliers. Without this skill, you're locked out of the luxury market.

The difference this course makes to your career

Where you are now
  • Still working by hand or with outdated tools
  • Wasting time on endless client revisions
  • Unable to join teams that run 3D workflows
  • Your portfolio blends into the crowd
  • Without a certification, portfolios get ignored
After the course
  • Designing shoes in 3D with the same tools the brands use
  • Presenting digital prototypes in a matter of days
  • Accessing roles reserved for 3D professionals
  • A portfolio that sells itself
  • Official Icad Universe certificate recognised by brands
The industry in numbers

The Footwear Industry Is Changing.

78%

Brand adoption

of footwear brands already use 3D tools in their product development process.

−40%

Production time

suppliers who adopt 3D cut production time by almost half.

Top

Most in-demand skills

3D competencies rank among the most sought-after by top global brand recruiters.

Your Instructor

Learn from Someone Who Actually Does It

Live demo — 3D modelling in Icad3D

Susanna Zampieri, founder and instructor of 3DFootwear Academy

Susanna Zampieri

3D Footwear Designer & Official Icad Universe Trainer

With over 10 years of experience in the footwear industry and 3D modelling, Susanna has collaborated with 50+ brands of Italian and international luxury houses.

Official Icad Universe trainer, she has taught over 100 students, many of whom now work for leading brands in the sector. Her mission: making 3D footwear design accessible to everyone, with a practical, results-driven approach.

Icad Universe Trainer
50+ Brands
Stride Speaker
100+ Students
Behind the scenes

The shoes I teach, I make first.

Susanna is a footwear designer before she is a teacher. Every concept in the course is born from real work — on the factory floor with artisans, in showrooms with brands, on stage talking about it.

Susanna Zampieri in a factory with an artisan working on a pink shoe prototype at a bench with industrial sewing machines
In the factoryPrototype in progress
Susanna in a showroom with a colleague examining a shoe last, sample shelves in the background
ShowroomReviewing the next model
Susanna as a speaker during the talk 'The 3D world, trend or future resource' in front of an audience
Speaker'3D world — trend or resource?'
Susanna in conversation with an attendee after the talk in an industrial space
Q&A with the audienceIndustrial Camp
Susanna smiling at her laptop working on a 3D project in a bright outdoor setting
Modelling anywhereRemote footwear design
Susanna sketching on a tablet with a stylus in an outdoor setting
Daily sketchesFrom hand to 3D
Events & Press

Where they've talked about it

Susanna has been speaker, designer, and educator at the industry's leading events.

Susanna Zampieri speaking at Stride Europe 2026 in Venice
Speaker

Stride Europe 2026

Roundtable host + Panelist

April 2026 · Venice · PI – Fashion's Technology Community

Susanna Zampieri as footwear designer at Gran Canaria Swim Week 2025
Footwear Designer

Gran Canaria Swim Week 2025

October 2025 · Mr&G Design · Studio Creazioni

Susanna Zampieri interviewed in HUB Style Magazine No.04 – 2024
Feature Interview

HUB Style Magazine

2024 · No.04 – 2024 (#47) · «Un passo nel futuro»

Featured by

HUB StyleDel Brenta SrlMarketersPolitecnico CalzaturieroCluXter
Student work

What they can create after the course

From zero to photo-realistic brand-ready renders in just 8 weeks.

Low-top sneaker render by one of our students

Low-top Sneaker

Student work

Décolleté render by one of our students

Décolleté

Student work

Classic derby render by one of our students

Derby

Student work

Sandal render by one of our students

Sandal

Student work

Ankle boot render by one of our students

Ankle Boot

Student work

Loafer render by one of our students

Loafer

Student work

  • 100+Students trained
  • 78%Find work within 6 months
  • 4.9/5Average rating
Course Curriculum

14 Modules. 200+ Lessons.
A Complete Programme.

1

Introduction to 3D Footwear Design

The 3D revolution in fashion and the fundamentals of footwear

2

Project Setup, Lasts and Base Flattening

Icad3D+ configuration, lasts and flattening

3

2D Flattening and 3D Base Creation

Importing lasts, tracing lines and base model

4

Creating 3D and 2D Parts

Drawing on last, extracting parts and PBR materials

5

2D and 3D Elements: Setup to Finishing

Margins, seams, perforations and logos

6

Last and Model Deformations

3D padding, cage and advanced profiles

7

Creating Accessories

Accessories library, binding and sweep

8

Creating 3D Laces

Guided and manual laces, advanced deformations

9

Creating 3D Heels and Soles

Heels, soles, insoles and 3D components

10

3D Materials and Textures

Export, PBR, Blender bridge and rendering

11

Rendering and Presentations

Instances, colour variants, soles and surfaces

12

Export and Next Steps

Environment, scenes, camera and final output

13

Extra

In-depth materials and certificates

14

External Software

Troubleshooting Icad and Blender

What's Included

14Modules
200+HD Lessons
8Weeks
Lifetime Access
1Certificate

Choose Your Programme

Three plans designed for every stage of your journey. The same lifetime access, the same certificate — choose the level of support that works for you.

Lessons in Italian · subtitles in Italian, English & Spanish

Base

For those who want to learn the foundations

399

One-time payment

  • 14 Footwear Masterclass Modules
  • Unlimited lifetime access
  • Official 3-month Icad Universe licence
Most Popular

Pro

The most popular choice among our students

699

One-time payment

  • Everything in the Base plan
  • Official 3-month Icad Universe licence
  • 250+ Premium 3D Textures
  • Official Icad Universe Certificate
  • WhatsApp Community Support

Premium

1:1 mentorship and early access

999

One-time payment

  • Everything in the Pro plan
  • 1:1 session (1h) with Susanna Zampieri
  • Personalised portfolio review
  • Early access to new modules

Full 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Choose any plan. If within 14 days you decide this programme isn't for you, we'll refund every cent. No questions asked, no red tape.

I don't have a powerful PC?

The course teaches you to optimise your workflow even on entry-level hardware.

I can't draw?

3D is technical and mathematical. Freehand drawing is not required.

I don't have time?

Lessons are on-demand. Watch them whenever you like.

Secure payment • Stripe • Instalment options available

Success Stories

What They Said

Unedited LinkedIn posts, Instagram stories, and WhatsApp messages from our students after the course. Tap a screenshot to enlarge it.

4.9/5 · verified reviews
Video Reviews

Hear from Our Students

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the course starts from scratch. No prior 3D modelling skills are required. All you need is a computer and the desire to learn. We guide you step by step from installing the software to completing your first full shoe.

Lessons are taught in Italian, with subtitles available in Italian, English and Spanish — so you can follow every lesson in your preferred language.

The course uses Icad Universe, the professional software adopted by leading footwear brands. A 3-month licence is included in the course price.

The programme is designed to be completed in 8 weeks with a commitment of 5–8 hours per week. However, access is for life, so you can progress at your own pace.

Yes, the certificate is officially issued by Icad Universe and is recognised by brands in the footwear sector. Many of our students have used it to secure employment.

We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. If the course isn't right for you, we'll refund the full amount — no questions, no hassle.

Yes, the platform is fully responsive. You can watch lessons on any device. For practical exercises with the software, we recommend using a computer.

To access Icad Universe you need a Windows computer and a mouse. If you have any doubts about compatibility, contact us before enrolling: we'll check your PC specs together for free and guide you to the best solution for your setup.

Is This Course for You?

Who it's for — and who it's not

Perfect for you if...

  • Footwear designers who want to move into 3D
  • Fashion and product design students
  • Professionals who want to add 3D to their skillset
  • Creatives who want to break into the footwear industry
  • Anyone seeking a brand-recognised certification

Not for you if...

  • You expect results without commitment or practice
  • You already have advanced experience with Icad Universe
  • You're not willing to dedicate 5–8 hours a week

Still Have Questions?

Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Reach out to us directly.

Your future in 3D Footwear Design
starts today.

Join 100+ students who have already transformed their careers. 14-day guarantee, zero risk.

Three plans — find the one that's right for you

from €399

  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Lifetime access
  • Certificate included