Meet Shannon Wibisono | Footwear designer/ CMF designer/ Industrial designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Wibisono and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Growing up in Indonesia, I’m constantly exposed with vibrant colors and rich textures. Since I was little, I’ve always been a curious child who’s always been fascinated by Color, Material, and Finish (CMF): the sensory, the first connection, the feeling of materiality, the excitement of a colorway, the creativity in the finishes. I use CMF to craft a story and connect to a brand’s culture and history allowing people to see a reflection of their best self, to tell an ‘untold’ story through design and ultimately, bring vibrancies to people’s life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a footwear designer, my passion lies in more than just creating shoes. It’s about crafting experiences and evoking emotions through every design I bring to life. Each pair of shoes I create is a culmination of problem-solving, innovation, and a deep understanding of the people who will wear them. That’s why I’m really passionate in creating footwear products because I’m designing for the people, for the world, whose voice will be represented through my designs.

I believe that footwear has the power to transform how people feel about themselves because I see fashion as an outlet for self-expression, and as a designer, I want to help people see it for themselves. When someone puts on a pair of shoes that I’ve designed, I want them to feel empowered, confident, and proud of who they are. It’s about creating a connection between the wearer and the design, by crafting their untold story to allow people to see a reflection of their best self.

I can’t help but reflect on the challenging journey that has brought me to this moment. The countless sleepless nights spent working on projects, the relentless pursuit of meeting deadlines, and the juggling act of balancing multiple focus areas for each class have tested my limits in ways I never imagined. But as a designer, I’ve come to understand that achieving greatness often requires pushing through the toughest of obstacles. It’s about embracing the challenges head-on and doing whatever it takes to turn dreams into reality.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Every struggle has taught me valuable lessons, honed my skills, and strengthened my resolve to pursue my passion for design. As I stand on the brink of graduation, I am filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that I have overcome every challenge that stood in my way.

I want the world to know, that if the journey is challenging and hard, you just have to keep pushing to your limits. All of it will be worth it in the end.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite cafes in LA: the Republik, Maru coffee, La La Land Kind Cafe, Dulce

Hang-outs: Hammer Museum, the Broad, LACMA, Mocca Museum, and Griffith Observatory

Bars and night-outs: the Prince, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and the Academy.

Following this itinerary, we’ll have the best week in LA!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to first and foremost, my family. Both my parents have worked extra hard sending me to the United States from Indonesia. I’m really grateful for them always supporting me in every decision I make, their sacrifices and encouragement have been the cornerstone of my journey, providing me with the strength and motivation to pursue my dreams. I also want to give a shoutout to my little sister, who supported me immensely in my design journey by becoming my personal photographer and taking process pictures of my journey as a designer (something we really need as designers, collecting process pictures!). Last but not least, giving my shoutout to my friend group a.k.a my second family called the CMF gang. We bonded together through an intensive program at ArtCenter College of Design and have been inseparable ever since.

Website: shannonwibisono.com

Instagram: alexianon

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-shannon-wibisono-aa8546203

Image Credits
Photo credit by: Anastasia Alice Wibisono