Utah State University's Outdoor Recreation Archive has opened a new collection documenting the life and career of the late Skip Yowell (1946-2015), co-founder of JanSport and a visionary in the outdoor industry.
Faculty member Dave Gibson handcrafts custom graduation cords from retired climbing rope — this year donated by Black Diamond Equipment — and pairs them with a 3D-printed cap medallion unique to each graduating class
Gibson's Rigel Dual Zone eCooler, designed for the overlanding market, receives one of the design world's most coveted honors
OPDD graduates showcase capstone projects at the 2026 Senior Exhibit, capping a decade of innovation with alumni and industry leaders.
Black Diamond designers provide feedback and mentorship to juniors and seniors presenting their final design projects
The camp’s workshops include activities from all sorts of environmental fields. From wildfire management to eco-art, there are activities for everyone to enjoy, according to Starr. The workshops are directed by USU faculty as well as professionals from va...
A Japanese fashion buyer, a traveling jacket exhibition, and a decade of outdoor design education.
Nicole McLaughlin visits OPDD for its 10-year anniversary, leading a workshop and exploring archive.
OPDD grad Morgan Bolan is heading to Signature Products Group as a Product Line Coordinator. See how OPDD makes it happen.
Kadin Halona grew up with a fascination around motorsports and ATVs, so it may be safe to say his younger self would be proud of his accomplishments so far. Of those achievements, this summer he took on an internship with Klim, a prominent motorsports clo...
Industry pioneer Hap Klopp visited OPDD for its 10-year anniversary, sharing insights, meeting students, and exploring the Outdoor Recreation Archive.
When Utah State University launched its Outdoor Product Design & Development program a decade ago, it was stepping into uncharted territory. No other degree in the country had combined design, natural resources, sustainability, textiles and marketing with...
“We’ve had companies from Utah and elsewhere that come to recruit and identify future talent,” Anderson said. “Companies fly in specifically to look at certain projects, and we’ve had a number of students get jobs from those contacts.”
Outdoor Product Design and Development student Brenna Utley is among the first students who transferred credits and experience from the Salt Lake Community College Fashion Institute and is well on the way to a career in the growing outdoor products indust...
Utah State University and Salt Lake Community College have created a transfer agreement aimed at giving fashion and design students opportunities to pursue further education and careers in the growing outdoor industry.
To see Utah State’s Outdoor Product Design and Development program in action, all one needs to do is step into the Janet Quinney Lawson Building. Mannequins in parkas, murals of the outdoors and a kayak adorn the first
Britt Olsen, GM for the Americas at On Running, spoke to upper-division students in the OPDD program about the power of high-performing teams and how she identifies top talent in her role as a leader.
Baylee Vogler, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a role as an Industrial Designer at Black Diamond.
Summit Journal, formerly Summit Magazine, makes its return after about two decades being dormant.
Sutton Caplan, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted a role as a Product Design Intern at State Bicycle Co.
Tommy Dalziel, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate accepted a role as a Mechanical Designer at Buck Knives.
Dr. Rachel Gross, an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado - Denver and a 2022 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow, shares an update on her research conducted in USU's Special Collections & Archives.
Stine Danielle, an artist and one of our Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, gives an update on her project and shares more about how archival imagery influences her latest work.
Jenna Celmer, the Co-Founder, Chief Community Officer, and President of Basecamp talks to students about red and green flags when applying for jobs in the outdoor industry and shares powerful tips for finding a fulfilling career.
Maura Dilley and Nicole Bassett, the sustainability leaders behind Cascade Circular, talk with students about circular design, systems thinking, and challenge students to take on the critical design challenges we face.
Garrett Davis, a student in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at USU has accepted a role as a Designer at Asher Golf.
As a part of an ongoing partnership, USU’s Outdoor Product Design & Development program helps host an event for local kids and refugees to learn how to sketch outdoor products, most recently learning how to draw shoes.
Charles Ross, a Lecturer at the Royal College of Art and a Performance Apparel Specialist, spoke to students in the Sustainable Design and Operations class in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program.
Morgan Davis, a student in the OPDD program at Utah State University, has accepted a role as a Product Line Management and Design Intern at Cache Valley brand, Nani Swimwear.
Bruce Johnson, a gear historian and enthusiast, talks about the history of UCO - a company known for its innovative outdoor products such as the candle lantern and the ice cream ball.
Students from the OPDD participated in a unique design challenge in Dr. Julie Lamarra's Design Thinking class, working on teams to identify opportunities to develop new products for Salomon utilizing NASA materials.
Jacob Hawley, a graduate from OPDD, accepted a role at Petzl America as an IT Specialist.
Peter Yee, former Vice President of Industrial Design at Oakley, spoke to first-year students in OPDD about his journey to becoming a product designer, where he finds inspiration, and why he loves being a designer.
OPDD made a strong showing at the 2023 Winter OR Show. The annual event brought together industry professionals, exhibitors, and outdoor enthusiasts to showcase the latest products and trends in outdoor gear and equipment.
Yoji Kaneda, Product Line Manager for Danner Boots, spoke to first-year OPDD students in the Intro to Product Creation class about the role of a PLM in the product creation process.
Utah State University is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Amber Williams as the newest member of the Outdoor Product Design & Development faculty.
Spencer Wyatt, Director of Concepts and Surface Design at Allbirds, speaks to OPDD students about his interest in color and materials and the influence of Ninja Turtles on his design career.
Paige Koch, a recent graduate of Utah State University's Outdoor Product Design & Development program, has accepted a position as a Product Line Manager & Designer at Primo Golf. Koch, a member of the class of 2022, previously interned at Under Armour and...
Rhonda Summer, an Under Armour Design Director and Katherine Connolly a Graphic Designer at the company, spoke at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about their visit to the Outdoor Recreation Archive and how archives influence graphic and product design.
Dr. Rachel Gross, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Denver spoke at the Outdoor History Summit about their time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive and research on the history of big box and specialty retail in the outdoor industry. Dr. Gros...
Jordan Jensen, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Rhone as a Designer!
Tanner Gerrard, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Kiska in Salzburg, Austria as an Apparel Design Intern!
Robert Thomas, Senior Director (USA) for Arc’teryx, talks with students about the qualities of a great product line manager and PLMs as the hub of the product creation process.
Ethan MacKay, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted a position at Bass Pro Shops as a Remote Industrial Designer!
Sarah Al-Hussein, a product developer at Sanuk, talks with first year product students about their role as part of the product triad and the specific tasks of a developer in bringing footwear to market.
Bob Anderson, Founder and Editor of Runner's World, joins the History of Gear and talks about how he started the magazine, the evolution and massive growth of the sport, and how introduced millions of people to running.
Ted and Greg Hine join the History of Gear to talk about building Hine Snowbridge, developing early internal frame packs and bikepacking products, and sending packs to space.
Zachary Buffaloe, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a full-time position at Rocky Mountain ATV as a Product Line Manager.
Jaimus Tailor, Founder and Creative Director of Greater Goods talks to students about his pathway into the world of product design and the upside as well as limitations of upcycling.
Sawyer Hill, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted an internship at Sego Ski Co as a Ski Production Intern.
Catherine Acosta, Product Archivist and Brand Historian at Vans talks about material culture, the blending of consumer products and art, and the challenges and opportunities of building a corporate archive from the ground up.
Hallie Kemp, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted an internship at ULA Equipment as a Marketing Intern.
Audrey Nybo, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted an internship at LL Bean as an Apparel Design Intern.
Trent Saarelainen, a graduate of Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Bushnell as an Assistant Product Manager.
Dr. Sahra Kaboli-Nejad, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at On Running talks with students about their individual power and responsibility to create more inclusive products, experiences, and teams as future leaders in the outdoor industry.
Ben Sharp, a graduate of Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Grand Trunk as the Head of Design.
Beirne Chisolm joins the History of Gear to talk about his company, The Band. He talks about how he and his brother Greg broke into the accessories business with their watchband.
Baylee Vogler, a Junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Black Diamond as an Industrial Design Intern.
Ami Vo, at the time of writing, a Senior Recruiter at Deckers Brands, now at Nike, talks with students about the dos and don’ts of applying for positions in product creation and peels back the curtain on the hiring process.
Christian Berroteran, a Freshman in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Klymit as a Product Line Management intern.
Allan Pietrasanta, owner and operator behind Buttermilk Mountain Works joins the History of Gear to talk about the influence of Bishop, CA on the company, the shift from outdoor gear to soft goods for the tech industry, and other memories from the outdoor...
Jeff Knight, joins the History of Gear to talk about the company he co-founded, Granite Gear, making a better portage pack, how the region influences the product, and the art of packmaking.
Taliesin Williford, a Junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Kuhl as an Apparel Design intern.
Representatives from Nalgene partnered with students from Outdoor Product Design & Development in a "Project Runway" style design challenge where students were tasked with tackling real design briefs from the brand.
Tim O'Brien, a Junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Bass Pro Shops as a Marketing intern.
Annie Agle, Senior Director of Impact / Sustainability at Cotopaxi talks with OPDD students about the challenges designers face when balancing performance and sustainability, why Cotopaxi focuses on using remnant fabrics, and the opportunities to build a ...
Benjamin Cummings, a Senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at ENVE Composites as a CAD Specialist.
Clare Pavelka, Corporate Archivist for Red Wing Shoe Company / Vasque joins the History of Gear to talk about the origins of the Vasque archive, the intersection of brand and state / regional history, and her journey from stamp collector to brand archivis...
Garrett Davis, a junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at ULA as a Sustainability Production Coordinator.
Jacob Johnson, a senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at Vooray as a Product Designer.
Dawn Thao-Yang, Director of Global Product Design at Carhartt, spoke to first year students in OPDD about her journey from fast fashion to designing durable product for Carhartt. She talks about her role in creative leadership and making products that sol...
Rhett Robinson, a senior in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program accepted an internship with Trek Bicycles as a CAD Engineer Intern.
Paige Koch, a senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at Under Armour as a Creative / Design Intern.
Students in OPDD's Design Thinking course worked with NASA Commercialization to identify opportunities to use NASA technology and materials to solve problems in the outdoor industry.
Nash Calvin accepted a role at Hyperlite Mountain Gear as a Technical Pattern Designer.
Students in OPDD's Design Thinking course worked with NASA Commercialization to identify opportunities to use NASA technology and materials to solve problems in the outdoor industry.
Recent graduate and Product Design at Orvis, Natalie Cullum, was recently recognized by Polartec and awarded their Apex Award for her work on the Orvis PRO Sun Hoodie.
Todd Kohlman, corporate archivist at Burton, shares his pathway into working in product archives, the origins of the collection, and how historic materials are used by the Burton team.
Rugged Thread is a part of a growing movement of repair in the outdoor industry. Josie Kinney, Director of Business Development, talks about the future of repair, the financial and sustainability benefits to offering these services, as well as the growing...
MyMedic, a Utah-based medical company sponsored a Design Sprint with OPDD students to explore the future of first aid and recovery.
Holly Roberge and Stephanie Schaff, Senior Archive Specialists at Reebok join the History of Gear to talk about their entry into the world of archiving, their day to day roles, and the importance of archival work within Reebok.
The Outdoor Recreation Archive (USU Special Collections & Archives) and Range partnered to host the first ever Outdoor History Summit on September 15, 2021.
You’ve probably seen them, especially if you’ve spent much time in the outdoors in the past few years: Large, 4-wheel-drive vans, often white, but sprouting all sorts of mods like custom suspension and tires...
Heather Raney, a Product Manager at Obermeyer, talks about how working retail helped her as a designer and manager, the secrets to a good portfolio, and her journey into the industry.
On this episode of the History of Gear, Beaver Theodosakis, founder of prAna, talks about how he and his wife Pam built the company from their garage to selling it to Columbia Sportswear Company.
Alicia Pinckney, formerly of Timberland where she worked as a Global Women’s Senior Apparel Designer, speaks to design students about her pathway into the industry and how to stand out as a designer.
On this episode of the History of Gear Series, Sarah Pickman, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale and author of “Dress, Image, and Cultural Encounter in the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration” talks about colonialism in the outdoors and the history of polar gear and a...
Greg and Jim Thomsen join the History of Gear Series to talk about their company, Wilderness Experience. We talk about their experience breaking into the industry, taking a company public and their experience in senior leadership at companies like VF Corp...
Carolyn Allen, an industrial designer at Werx Design, shared insights into portfolio do's and don'ts with students in the OPDD program. Allen shares some of their favorite portfolios as well as tips for how to stand out as a designer when seeking a job.
Outdoor agency, forecaster, and media publication, Range, hosted a conversation with archivists, researchers, and historians about the importance of gear history and preservation.
Utah State University recently partnered with the Utah Industry Resources Alliance (UIRA) and the state of Utah to create an online supply chain database to help Utah’s manufacturing sector engage with the broader marketplace.
Abigail Stern, Owner and Designer at Matek talks about breaking into the skiwear industry, the outdoors and fashion, and her work reinventing base layers.
This might just be the sweetest collaboration ever in USU’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
Sigrid Olsen, a Technical Designer at Peak Performance, shares her experience as a sportswear designer and her capstone collection, Bike to Ski, a line of technical outerwear for cyclists and skiers.
Spencer Nugent, Industrial Designer, educator, creator, and mind behind Sketch-A-Day, spoke to the Outdoor Product Design & Development program about portfolio development and how to become a better visual communicator.
Sally McCoy, industry legend and former senior leader at companies like The North Face, Sierra Designs, and Camelbak, joins the History of Gear Series to talk about her introduction to the outdoor industry, her non-profit work, and the evolution of the ou...
Rachel Bodily (Class of 2020) shares her experience as a recent graduate, finding a job during the pandemic, and her new role as a Color, Materials, and Finish Designer for Skullcandy in Park City, Utah.
Utah State University’s Outdoor Recreation Archive, a collection of the outdoor industry’s catalogs and magazines, has grown from just a few documents gathered in 2018 to a one-of-a-kind collection that has gained national and international recognition.
Bruce Hamilton, former President of The North Face, joins the History of Gear Series to discuss the evolution of the company under his leadership and the creation of the revolutionary Oval Intention tent.
OPDD student Mckenzie Farley and faculty member Dr. Andrew Deceuster partnered with the Aggie Chocolate Factory and Beaver Mountain to create a custom chocolate bar for the ski resort.
Tracey Cottingham, a Clothing Architect, joins the History of Gear Series to talk about technical apparel design and construction, her time with Nike and Columbia, and the importance of preserving the history of gear and apparel.
In the latest History of Gear Series, David Whetstone and Michaela Hardy from The North Face give a glimpse into the company archives. They share the value of preserving product, the importance of brand history and its impact on legacy, and how the collec...
Dr. Rachel Gross joins the History of Gear Series to talk about the legacy of Bob Gore and the creation of Gore-Tex.
Outdoor print materials are preserved in the Outdoor Recreation Archive Rick Saez interviews Chase Anderson, Program Coordinator for the Outdoor Product Design & Development program, about the Outdoor Recreation Archive on the Outdoor Biz Podcast.
Amelia Arvesen, a freelance journalist and creative, shares her experience working in outdoor journalism, the importance of quality reporting, the joys and challenges of working freelance, and Honing Her Craft, her latest venture telling stories about cre...
Chris El-Deiry, Owner of Mountain Equipment Research Group, shares his journey to a career in the outdoor industry, leading field testing at Black Diamond, and his new venture providing field testing services for brands across the industry.
Kevin Brown, Heritage and Archives Manager from W.L. Gore & Associates, joins the History of Gear Series to talk about the importance of corporate collections, the origins of the Gore archive, and how collections are used by various departments at the com...
Brian Kelley, a NYC-based photographer joins the History of Gear Series to talk about his efforts to archive and share National Parks Service pamphlets. We talk about the importance of archival efforts, outdoor graphic design, and how he inspired the Outd...
The product development team from Teva visits the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at USU and talks about how they work together to bring new product to market.
Chris Leiter joined the History of Gear Series to talk about SAND Pack Company, his creative endeavor to challenge what handmade product can be and help the history of gear live on through new product.
Kyle Snarr, product enthusiast, marketer, and founder of Cantonment, shares his experience working for companies like Struck, Vox Media, Gear Patrol and Wachonista where he learned to tell stories about product to now building his own brand.
Natalie Cullum, an OPDD alum and Product Design at Orvis shared her experience transitioning from college life to working in the industry, what her day to day looks like, and things she wished she would have known.
Natalie Cullum, an OPDD alum (Class of 2019) and Product Design at Orvis shared her experience transitioning from college life to working in industry, what her day to day looks like, and things she wished she would have known.
Dr. Rachel Gross shares her insights into the evolution of outdoor apparel and what clothing says about those who wear it. Dr. Gross argues that outdoor clothing, known for its performance, also represents values and communicates identity.
Vista Outdoor owns brands like Camp Chef, Camelbak, Bell, and Giro. Craig McLaughlin, Director of eCommerce and Digital Marketing at Vista Outdoor shares his insights.
Vista Outdoor owns brands like Camp Chef, Camelbak, Bell, and Giro. Craig McLaughlin, Director of eCommerce and Digital Marketing at Vista Outdoor shares his insights.
Rainy Riding started Rainy's Premium Flies in 1971 in Wellsville, Utah. Rainy Riding learned how to fish when she was five years old from her grandfather. Eventually, she'd learn to tie flies and help teach fly tying at Utah State University.
Jaimus Tailor, a London-based designer, shares his experience building his latest work, Greater Goods, a creative project utilizing upcycled sportswear and outdoor gear to create new product.
Hap Klopp in a presentation with famed architect, Buckminster Fuller Former President of the North Face, Hap Klopp, shared his insights into the early days of the company.
Matthew Betcher, Creative Director for Allied Feather and Down shares his insights into down versus synthetics, the importance of traceability and transparency in supply chains, and the future of down.
Utah's tent-making history can be traced back to Arthur Jack Kirkham's decision to buy a tent and awning company based in Utah. From that decision, Kirkham invented the Springbar Tent and championed Utah gear making for decades to come.
KLIM is part of Teton Outfitters Global Human Resources Director at Teton Outfitters, Sandi Landon, shares the state of the motorsports industry, how the company has adapted to COVID, and how the pandemic has affected her role in recruiting.
Bruce Johnson shares the history of Mountain Safety Research (MSR) and founder, Larry Penberthy who brought rigorous testing practices to the climbing industry.
Veronica Villhard (Class of 2019) shares her experience as a Footwear Innovation Designer at Under Armour and how she's adapting as a designer in a COVID world.
Across North America, in the 20th century, influential product designers and companies sprung up in various regions, becoming hot spots for gear. Bruce Johnson shares the history of gear hubs like Boulder, Seattle, San Francisco, and Arcata, California.
Dr. Andrew Deceuster joined government representatives from the State of Utah and Puerto Rico in a recent webinar to discuss opportunities to strengthen and grow the outdoor economy in Puerto Rico.
Bruce Johnson, gear historian, shares the history of outdoor industry pioneer, Jack Stephenson and his company Warmlite. Stephenson, an aerospace engineer, brought technical materials, aerodynamic shapes, and an innovative approach to product design.
Bruce Johnson, gear historian, shares the history and impact of little known brand, Rivendell Mountain Works on the latest History of Gear Series. Innovations in the backpacking space can be traced back to this little brand.
Trent Bush, a Senior Creative from companies like Burton, Mountain Hardwear, Black Diamond, and now Spyder, shares his experiences with his dad working for Frostline Kits in Boulder, CO.
Steve Puertas, a Senior Industrial Designer with a local outdoor cooking company, Blackstone Products, shared his experience getting into product design and what excites him about working in the outdoor cooking space.
Bruce Johnson, gear historian, shares his insights on the history of Frostline Kits, a company built on the idea of consumers sewing together their own gear. Frostline grew out of influential gear company, Gerry Mountain Sports in Boulder, Colorado.
Brad Johnson, former CFO of REI and Lands' End shares his background working in senior leadership positions, his time studying at Utah State, and his current role teaching at Utah State University.
Dr. Rachel Gross, professor of history and gear historian, shares her insights on the outdoor industry within the larger context of historic events, the basis of her upcoming book, "From Buckskin to Goretex."
In the lastest History of Gear Series, gear historian, Bruce Johnson shares the story of Roy and Alice Holubar, outdoor pioneers and founders of Holubar.
Dave Gibson, an industrial designer, freelancer, and faculty member at Wenzhou-Kean University shared his thoughts on the COVID crisis, his experience leaving China during the pandemic, and the future of freelance work.
Don Wittenberger and Eric Hardee of the Yak Works and Rivendell Mountain Works share their insights on the latest History of Gear Series about soft pack design and development and the influence of the Yak Works and Rivendell on the industry.
Alan Wenker, backpacking enthusiast and collector talks about the history of backpacks over time, why he has over fifty packs in his collection, and the evolution of gear.
Outdoor gear historian, Bruce Johnson, shares the history of one of the most influential outdoor companies, Gerry Mountain Sports, founded by Gerry and Ann Cunningham in 1946.
Specialized HR Business Partner, Lena Laakso gave a brief virtual presentation sharing her thoughts on the state of the outdoor industry amid COVID-19, how companies and employees are responding and adapting, and her perspective from Human Resources.
Christian Schrader, a product designer and manager shares his journey to the outdoor industry, his work as a creative in the outdoors, and lessons he's learned being recently let go from Stance due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the business.
In the new History of Gear Series, Bruce "Old Gear" Johnson shares his work documenting the history of the industry. Johnson has built the History of Gear Project, a website documenting the history of key individuals and brands that built the industry.
Thallner spoke with faculty member, Andrea Olsen about topics ranging from team effectiveness to mindfulness and how to ultimately develop resiliency professionally.
Evie Moe, Vice President of Design at Cotopaxi visited students in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University to talk about how to best prepare to enter the workforce.
Nick Cienski, the principle creative at Under Armour for all things on the innovation team, visited campus and shared a wealth of experiences from his time at various companies including Salomon, Helly Hansen, Arc’teryx, and currently Under Armour.
Students recently met with and heard a presentation from Judd Armstrong, the founder of Jaybird and pioneer in wireless headphone technology, which recently sold for upwards to $100 million.
Utah State University and the Outdoor Industry Association partner to create an online certificate and sustainability education for the outdoor industry.
Frank Clegg, a senior industrial designer at Lifetime Products, visited juniors and seniors to discuss career readiness and how to prepare for an interview.
Students in the Textile Science class learned hands on about synthetic insulation from Travis West, a product marketing associate from materials innovator, Primaloft.
While designers are traditionally recognized as being the creators of innovative, quality products, Cori Williams, a senior product developer at Cotopaxi, visited campus to share how vital developers are to bringing product to market.
OPDD students were invited to attend and participate in the Outdoor Retailer show in Denver, CO where they, along with faculty, hosted presentations, panels, and workshops as well as provided repair and textile repurposing services to show attendees.
Steve Puertas, a senior industrial designer for outdoor cooking company Blackstone Products, spoke to OPDD students about portfolio building and how to craft a portfolio that shows the value of the designer.
Senior Industrial Design, Chris Nascimento visited campus to speak with students about his role at ICON Health & Fitness, his experience as a designer, and what makes a great portfolio.
Every product bought and sold has been tested or met safety standards in one way or another. Aaron Campbell, a Field Engineer with product testing equipment producer, Instron, spoke to students about product testing standards and processes.
Nomatic Director of Industrial Design, Evan Howard, taught students the importance of portfolio building and what it takes to create a portfolio that highlights the value of a designer.
Package designers from local companies hosted a workshop and design sprint for OPDD students focused on package design.
A unique university collaboration between Library Special Collections and Outdoor Product Design & Development is preserving the history of the outdoor industry.
Students and faculty were invited to attend and present at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon. While there, the program toured companies including Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, and Keen.
Students met with designers and toured local company and fitness leader, ICON Health and Fitness. The tour included conversations with designers and developers as well as a glimpse into how ICON prototypes their products.
Kasey Jarvis, the Chief Design Officer for Under Armour, offered an opportunity for students to get a glimpse of what the design world is really like from the lowest level designer to senior executive.
Students helped designers from local swimwear design company Nani Swimwear, develop new product concepts. Students spent the afternoon in a “design sprint” to rapidly create new product concepts and prototypes for potential production and sale.
Andrew Fletcher, Head of Owned Brands, and Alicia Applegate, Product Line Manager, from eCommerce leader Backcountry.com spoke to OPDD students about the opportunities to work in product management.
Brian Hobert, Product Line Manager for Browning visited the OPDD program to gives students a glimpse into the day to day of bringing product to market.
The Department of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education received close to $100,000 in grant funding through the Talent Ready Utah grant program, for the purpose of growing talent pipelines to the outdoor and manufacturing industries in Utah.
OPDD Director, Andrew Deceuster was invited by the Puerto Rico Outdoor Association to speak on the importance of the outdoor industry to the economy in Puerto Rico.
Staff from OPDD program spoke alongside representatives from other Utah outdoor programs as part of a panel hosted by the newly formed Utah Outdoor Association (UOA).
Nate Ball, after being a part of the first graduating class is living the dream, interning for Vermont-based fly-fishing company, Orvis.
OPDD students display their Senior Exhibits for Advisory Board, industry, and the general public prior to their upcoming graduation as the inaugural class from OPDD.
The outdoor industry gathers three times a year in Denver, CO for Outdoor Retailer, one of the largest outdoor product tradeshows. This year, OPDD students were invited to sew chalk bags as giveaways to show the power of turning scraps into new products....
Utah companies continue to benefit from the talented students currently enrolled in the Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) program. Shelby McCashland, incoming OPDD senior, has been interning for Logan-based ICON Health & Fitness.
OPDD Student River McKay received an offer from Backcountry, an outdoor gear company, to stay on full-time while she completes her senior year at Utah State University.
The future is bright for students in the first graduating class of the Outdoor Product Design & Development program, especially for recent graduate and newest employee of Vermont-based Orvis, Natalie Cullum.
Students in Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) not only learn how to translate concepts and ideas, they also learn how to produce tangible prototypes and finished products.
Portland-based footwear and outdoor brand, KEEN, visited Utah State University’s campus with their revolutionary, shoe weaving robot, the UNEEKBOT.
Professor Rachel Gross, a historian of the outdoor industry, gave a public lecture on the heritage of outdoor product companies as well as spent time with the Outdoor Product Design & Development program.
OPDD students had the opportunity to visit local industry in Ogden and learn from industry professionals while touring the Amer Sports and ENVE Composites facilities.
OPDD student, Makell Garrett, worked with players from the Real Monarchs to better understand cleat design in order to build a better performing product for athletes.
OPDD went to Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City during the Outdoor Recreation Day on the Hill hosted by the Office of Outdoor Recreation to advocate on behalf of the outdoor industry in the state of Utah.
Nani Swimwear, a locally owned swimwear company, designs innovative product from Cache Valley. Nani proves that students, no matter where they live, if they have the right skills, can design products that matter.
