Matthew Head
About Matthew Head
Matthew Head serves as the Global Senior Director of Footwear Design at The North Face, a VF Company, since 2021. He has received multiple awards for his innovative designs, including the Men's Health Sneaker Award for Innovation in 2019 and the Red Dot Product Design Award in 2015.
Current Role at The North Face
Matthew Head serves as the Global Senior Director of Footwear Design at The North Face, a VF Company, since 2021. In this role, he oversees the design and development of footwear products, focusing on innovation and performance. His leadership contributes to the brand's reputation for high-quality outdoor gear. The North Face is known for its commitment to sustainability and functionality in outdoor apparel and equipment.
Previous Experience in Footwear Design
Matthew Head has extensive experience in footwear design, having held several key positions in the industry. He worked at HOKA ONE ONE as Director of Design from 2017 to 2021 and as Senior Footwear Design Manager for one year in 2017. His earlier roles include working as an Innovation Lead & Footwear Designer at inov-8 from 2013 to 2016 and as a Footwear Designer & Researcher at Elite to High Street from 2007 to 2012.
Educational Background
Matthew Head studied at the University of Portsmouth, where he earned a BSc (Hons) in Product Design & Innovation from 2001 to 2005. He furthered his education at Loughborough University, achieving a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Industrial and Product Design from 2008 to 2012. Additionally, he completed a Boot Making program at the University of the Arts London in 2015.
Awards and Recognition
Matthew Head has received multiple awards for his contributions to footwear design. Notably, the Carbon X design earned the Men's Health Sneaker Award for Innovation in 2019 and was recognized with the Gear of the Year by Outside and the Platinum Award by T3. The Terraclaw 220 was awarded the Red Dot Product Design Award in 2015, highlighting his impact on the industry.
Notable Projects and Publications
Matthew Head led the design of the HOKA TenNine Hike GTX, a product recognized for its innovative approach to hiking footwear. His work has been featured in prominent publications, including Runner's World, Fast Company, and Hypebeast. His designs, such as the TrailRoc 285 and X-Talon 275, have received accolades, further establishing his influence in the footwear design sector.