Timberland x CNSTNT:DVLPMNT Youth Footwear Design Workshop

Global footwear and apparel brand Timberland, in partnership with Black-owned creative brand CNSTNT:DVLPMNT, will host a
Youth Design Workshop for 30 students in grades 6–9 in Baltimore. With seven percent of professional designers identifying as people of color, the workshop’s mission is to introduce BIPOC students to careers in design with the aim of strengthening the pipeline of diverse talent in footwear and fashion design.

In collaboration with Open Works, an organization on a mission to rebuild Baltimore’s manufacturing economy, the free 5-hour design session will teach the fundamentals of footwear design and sketching and explore creative concepts and color. The young creatives will learn directly from design professionals at Timberland and those with a passion for shoes and drawing. Students will also enjoy music, games, food and snacks, and leave with their shoe designs, new Timberland boots, design trade tools and gift bags.

The winning design has the opportunity to be brought to life at Timberland’s prototyping lab and maker space, The Shed.

In Spring 2021, the two brands first began their partnership to launch, CNSTNT:DVLPMNT x Timberland After School Program, a 14-course workshop that introduced middle schoolers to creative careers and taught essential skills for the footwear design and color design industries. Focusing on reaching inner-city populations, the pilot program launched with Mott Halls Bridges Academy of Brooklyn, NY. The Spring 2022 – 2023 programs partnered with two schools from Greenburgh Central School District: Richard J. Bailey Elementary of White Plains, NY and Woodland Middle/High School of Hartsdale, NY. Inspired by the After School Program, The Timberland x CNSTNT:DVLPMNT Youth Design Workshop allows the brands to reach hundreds of students in different cities. This year, the program is making stops in Baltimore, Charlotte, New York City and Philadelphia.