Alum's footwear designs win award

International manufacturer Rocky Brands won a 2013 Plus Award for design excellence at the Footwear Plus Awards thanks, in part, to Industrial Design alumnus Andrew Burleigh's designs.

The awards, created by Footwear Plus, the footwear industry's leading fashion magazine, are determined by votes from thousands of industry members nationwide.

The Nelsonville, OH, manufacturer received the award for their Durango cowboy boots.

"I think Andrew’s selection of color, pattern, and materials really speaks to the trends in the western and fashion industries that are very popular at the moment," said Amber Vanwy, national sales and marketing manager for the Durango brand. "That really gave us an edge over the competitors."

Even six years after graduation, Burleigh (CCAD 2008) said he still draws on skills learned at CCAD.

"My classes at CCAD taught me things like creative problem solving, sketching, concept development, manufacturing techniques, material selection, working [against] a deadline, and presentation skills, all of which I use in my job here at Rocky."

Burleigh is from Mansfield, OH, and attended Lexington High School.