FOOTWEAR DESIGN SERVICES
- Early Stage Ideation
- Initial Drawings
- Concept Sketches
- Product Refinement
- Material & Color Selection
- Tech Packs / CAD's
- Market Research and Analysis
PRODUCTION SERVICES
- General Planning
- Development of Footwear
- Overseeing and Optimizing Manufacturing Processes
- Last Selection and Development
- Development and Implementation of Fit and Wear Test Programs
- Providing Technical Feedback and Fit Test Corrections
- Creation of Product Cycle Calendars
VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING
Using AI or 3D tools to accelerate visual exploration from sketches, prompts, or mood boards. Ideal for concept development, internal alignment, or creative exploration phases. I prefer to delegate extended modeling and refinement to dedicated traditional footwear development specialists, keeping my role focused on creative direction and system integration.
- 3D Prototyping
- AI Prototyping
- Carryover Style Digitization
- Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator Touch Ups
E-COMMERCE SERVICES
E-commerce operations & growth support for founders who need hands-on execution from someone who’s run a Shopify business
- Translating ideas into executable site updates
- Wireframing mock ups for brand tailored e-commerce themes
- Running and maintaining a Shopify storefront (products, collections, navigation, theme edits)
- Publishing and updating content across Shopify + social platforms
- Managing site structure, launches, and ongoing maintenance
- Bridging brand, design, and commerce— supporting both creative and operational needs day-to-day
"Guided by 林 — the character in my name that evokes rhizomatic growth and interconnectedness — I also take on projects that expand the liminal, where categories blur and new possibilities emerge."
Jilleen Liao is a freelance footwear designer and developer based in Brooklyn, NY. With over a decade of senior-level experience in corporate and start-up settings, her career has spanned working with suppliers and factories from the USA, Dominican Republic, Mexico, China, Portugal, and Italy. Liao excels in strategic planning and manufacturing solutions for various projects and needs, aiming to enhance operational excellence and efficiency across ideation, sampling, and production roles.
Hobbies include: Skateboarding + problem solving
Dislikes include: Shoes in the house, tripping on uneven sidewalks
Looking forward to: Road trips, book fairs, root beer floats
