A walk on the Shoe Side.

May 17, 2019

1878

Esther Kute — Product Development Manager-Bata Shoe Kenya Company. Also Founder & Project Lead - Bata Designers Apprentice| Lecturer | Mentor| Key Note Speaker | Design Activist|

About this Episode.

“When I grow up, I want to work at Bata”. This was Esther’s dream even as a child and she confidently declared it whenever the subject of careers came up.

However, upon joining the University of Nairobi’s Design school, she had moments of uncertainty about the design course. It took the vigilance and intervention of a keen and observant lecturer for her love of design to be rekindled to the point of graduating with honours.

And now, Esther is the Product Development Manager at Bata Kenya, a worldwide shoe manufacturing company. Here, Esther has made remarkable achievements. For one, she has successfully led a project development team into improving the design of the famous Bata Patapata slippers that went on to win an international award.

In this Podcast we take “A walk on the Shoe Side ” with Esther as we get to know how she moved up from a Creative Designer Trainee to her current position at the helm of the shoe and accessories design department at Bata. Also in this Podcast, Esther generously shares tips about the resources available to designers, the importance of collaboration among designers themselves as well with other actors from related sectors, among other tips.

Overall, Esther shares amazing insights on why we must always be on the ready to grab opportunities, venture to become better versions of ourselves as individuals, as well as how to better our productivity.

About ESTHER

Esther Kute is the youngest, first female, first Kenyan, first Black designer to be appointed Product Development Manager for Bata Kenya in charge of designing footwear and accessories. This, in essence, made her the youngest member of the senior management team in the organisation at the time. Esther achieved this accolade after working in the company for only 6 years and just 8 years after graduating from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelors of Arts in Design with Honours.

Esther has a Masters of Arts in Design, and footwear design training from ARSUTORIA School – Shoe and bag design university. She has extensive experience in Textile & Fashion design, Product design, Accessories design, product development, management, leadership and manufacturing. Esther enjoys teaching design courses and endeavours to mentor and inspire designers to become world leaders and global change makers.

Esther Kute is also an award-winning designer who continues to be part of the discourses taking place in the Design arena. For example, Esther was a keynote speaker at Kampala Design Week 2018 and Nairobi Design Week 2018. Earlier in 2017, she was a panellist in Nairobi International Design Conference (NIDEC).

Music Credits