Meet the SATRA team: Harriet Stokes

We continue our series of articles on members of the SATRA footwear team by meeting a research technologist with an in-depth knowledge of three-dimensional design and print.

Harriet Stokes’ path into the footwear industry was shaped as much by opportunity as by intention. With a background in industrial product design gained from her studies at the UK’s Coventry University, Harriet has specialised in creating solutions for real-world challenges, ultimately building a career that combines design insight with applied research.

Harriet completed an MDes/BSc Master’s degree in design, an intensive programme which required an additional term dedicated to research into real-world products. During this period, she focused on the concept of ‘multigenerational living’, exploring how people of different ages can interact efficiently within small living spaces. This work sparked a strong interest in research-driven innovation and gave her the ambition to pursue a career in design research.

However, upon graduating, Harriet found that suitable roles were not immediately available. Instead, her entry into the footwear industry came through an unexpected route. In 2016, SATRA was seeking to recruit a science-based researcher. Although Harriet’s qualifications did not fully align with the technical criteria of the role, the recruitment agency with which she was registered recognised her potential and put her forward for consideration.

Making a good impression

Something in Harriet’s background clearly resonated with SATRA’s then head of research, Tom Bayes, who invited her for an interview which proved decisive. As well as demonstrating her enthusiasm and adaptability, Harriet revealed that she had already gained experience with the 3D CAD software being used by SATRA at the time. This practical capability proved to be a key factor, and she was offered the position of research technologist.

Harriet’s first project at SATRA involved testing slipper seam strength. This work provided her with a solid grounding in the organisation’s test methods and machinery, allowing her to develop a detailed understanding of testing protocols and the patterns that emerge in results. Her analytical approach led to the identification of trends within the data, and she contributed to the development of new guidelines applicable to SATRA’s suite of test methods.

Then for a period of three years, Harriet worked extensively on SATRA’s VisionStitch production efficiency system. Her role focused on designing and developing new hardware and circuit boards, giving her valuable experience in both product development and engineering integration.

A new project

In 2019, Harriet moved into a new area of work – the design of SATRA fitting aids. This project became particularly important as external circumstances started to change. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, SATRA teams regularly visited schools to measure children’s feet, collecting valuable data that supported footwear manufacturers in developing sizing strategies. However, with the onset of the pandemic and the introduction of stricter GDPR regulations in the UK, these activities were severely restricted.

In response, SATRA took the initiative to develop child-sized fitting aids based on industry standards in UK, US and EU sizing. These ‘feet’ were 3D printed in photopolymer materials and offered a consistent and repeatable reference for footwear manufacturers. Unlike human subjects, these models provide identical size and shape every time, allowing an identical aid to be used across different factories worldwide making the same shoe.

Harriet played a key role in this development and continues to work closely with customers, often assisting with requests for customised fitting aids. Many clients begin by learning about the original ‘Mark One’ children’s fitting aids, which were developed for boys’ and girls’ feet as the girths and shapes differ between them. Building on this, SATRA has recently introduced the ‘Mark Two’ adults’ fitting aids, 3D-printed in TPU, and available in adult UK sizes 4 and 6 for women and UK sizes 8 and 9 for men. These are new products and are constantly being developed, thus creating a full adults’ UK, US and EU range.

Harriet is currently involved in an innovative new project that represents the next stage in fitting technology. These soon-to-be-launched fitting aids will provide live feedback similar to human models, but without the human bias. This development aims to indicate if – and where – a fit is ‘too tight’ or ‘too loose’, thus offering valuable insight for designers and manufacturers. The project is expected to produce adult-sized models in the near future.

Throughout her work, Harriet has developed a strong enthusiasm for the potential of 3D printing within SATRA’s services. In addition to fitting aids, she designs and produces bespoke components for test equipment, adapting machines to meet specific customer requirements and testing regimes.

Ten short years

Now after a decade working at SATRA, Harriet has built considerable industry expertise. Alongside her practical experience, she has studied for and achieved the globally recognised SATRA Accredited Footwear Technologist (SAFT) qualification. The combination of hands-on knowledge and formal accreditation has given her an in-depth understanding of footwear design, fitting principles and testing processes, which she can apply to her core design and CAD knowledge.

Today, Harriet applies this insight to support SATRA’s customers around the world, helping them to improve their product performance, consistency and fit. This clearly demonstrates how a foundation in design can evolve into a highly specialised and impactful research career.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 26 of the June 2026 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

Other articles from this issue »

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