Professor Preview: Michael Mack explores the common thread

Written by Colleen Miller, Photos by Nick Thomsen

Since graduating from SCAD in 2007 with a degree in Industrial Design, Michael Mack continues to fully immerse himself in the world of footwear design. For nearly 13 years, he has been involved around the globe with design, development and construction of shows. Now, Mack’s exploration has led him to a new career path as a SCAD Accessory Design professor. 

In the past, the direction of his career was not as certain. Entering SCAD as a freshman, Mack quickly learned that architecture, his original major, was not for him. This led to industrial design, which later combined with his love of footwear. “It goes hand in hand with industrial design,” Mack said. “Sketching is the common thread.”

Although he may bring different sketching styles and techniques to the table due to an industrial design background, these skills are still directly applicable to accessory design. “Since I always liked working with my hands, it naturally led to designing and learning to make shoes,” Mack said. 

Since his time at SCAD, Mack has worked with brands such as Robert Cavalli, Jessica Simpson, Levi’s, Steve Madden, Keen and Rocky. Most recently, Mack began his own brand, Michael Grey Footwear. This label began with casual and dress shoes that can now be purchased in ShopSCAD. Three years ago, Mack branched out to include custom-made leather sandals under the moniker Michael Grey Sandal Factory.

Michael Grey Sandal Factory is a unique take on customization. In the mobile boutique which began in New York, clients choose colors and are custom fitted to the shoes. In addition to working as a SCAD professor, Mack plans to continue his label. “We are looking to jump back into it spring of 2020,” Mack said. 

His brief pause in footwear design gives him time to settle into the new city he calls home. Like many students, he moved in one day after Savannah was deemed safe from the path of Hurricane Dorian.  

In his teaching, Mack draws inspiration from his own mentors, his favorites being those who were unafraid of appropriately pushing their students. Mack holds his own students to this high standard and seeks to bring his own experiences into the classroom. 

By teaching Sketching and Rendering, Footwear I, Materials and Techniques and Senior I, Mack works with students on a variety of experience levels. Although he enjoys all the courses, Mack is especially passionate about Sketching and Rendering. In this course, he is able to draw knowledge from industrial design and introduce students to a new method of sketching. 

Check out the Michael Grey Sandal Factory Instagram to learn more about Mack’s work.