Cody Blank
About Cody Blank
Cody Blank is a footwear designer with a focus on mountain sports. He has worked at The North Face since 2015 and has experience collaborating with elite athletes to create specialized footwear.
Current Role at The North Face
Cody Blank currently serves as a Footwear Designer at The North Face, a position he has held since 2015. In this role, he focuses on designing footwear that meets the specific demands of mountain sports. His responsibilities include collaborating with global regions to tailor designs to meet market needs and engaging with elite athletes, such as climbers and trail runners, to enhance product functionality and performance.
Education and Expertise
Cody Blank studied Industrial and Product Design at the Academy of Art University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from 2010 to 2014. Prior to that, he attended Cal Poly Pomona for two years from 2008 to 2010. His educational background provides a solid foundation in design principles, which he applies in his footwear design work.
Previous Work Experience
Before his current role, Cody Blank gained diverse experience in the footwear and sports industries. He interned as a Footwear Designer at DZR Shoes for four months in 2015 and worked as a Footwear Designer Intern at The North Face for four months in the same year. Additionally, he worked as Bicycle Sales Staff at Lombardi Sports for five months in 2011 and completed a nine-month internship at Weir / Andrewson Associates, Inc from 2007 to 2008.
Involvement in Footwear Design
Cody Blank has been actively involved in designing footwear that caters to the unique demands of mountain sports. His work emphasizes functionality and performance, ensuring that products meet the needs of athletes. His collaboration with elite athletes helps inform his design process, allowing him to create footwear that enhances the user experience in challenging environments.
Educational Background
Cody Blank completed his high school education at San Rafael High School from 2004 to 2008. Following high school, he pursued higher education at Cal Poly Pomona and later at the Academy of Art University, where he focused on Industrial and Product Design, culminating in a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.