News

Martin Keen, the founder and designer behind Keen, joined the History of Gear to talk about the founding of a new footwear brand and his personal design process.

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.

Kyle Davie, a student in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at USU has accepted role as a Material Development Intern at KLIM.

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.

David Mydans, a tent designer and first product designer for REI, talks about how his background in art prepared him to design tents, his product design influences, and the early days of designing in house product for REI.

Baylee Vogler grew up in West Jordan, Utah, where she was either playing in the Wasatch Mountains or designing and building things in her garage. She has always enjoyed being outdoors, and some of her favorite hobbies include backcountry skiing, ultra-run...

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.

Kaiden Boucher, a student in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at USU has accepted a role as an Assistant Product Line Manager at TETON Sports.

Elizabeth Goodspeed, a designer and the Casual Archivist, talks about the importance of design archives and how she incorporates them into her design process.

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.

Matthew Barry, a student from OPDD, accepted a role at KLIM as a Product Line Management Intern.

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.

Dick Tracy, the inventor of the plastic buckle, talks about stumbling into the outdoor industry and his contributions as the inventor of the modern plastic buckle.

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.

Kiara Tingey, a graduate from OPDD, accepted a role at Shyft Global as an Apparel Designer. 

Utah State University is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Amber Williams as the newest member of the Outdoor Product Design & Development faculty.

Macady Smith, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student at Utah State University, has accepted a job as a Product Development Assistant at Ibex, a company that designs and produces high performance merino wool activewear. Smith is a member of the cl...

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.

Josh Kumpf, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Klugonyx as a Product Manager!

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!

Climbing legend Conrad Anker spoke at the Outdoor Recreation Archive Kamp Kit Exhibit opening at Utah State University. Anker talked about the history of the outdoor industry, the evolution of gear, and the challenges of a changing climate for product des...

Tanner Gerrard, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Kiska in Salzburg, Austria as an Apparel Design Intern!

Mia Hilton, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted a position at Lloyd & Leo as a Product Designer!

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.

Two Marmot alums, Laura Miera, the VP of Technical Product Development and Randy Verniers, VP of International Sales join the History of Gear to talk about the company.

Ethan MacKay, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted a position at Bass Pro Shops as a Remote Industrial Designer!

Dave Gibson joins the OPDD faculty as an Assistant Professor. As an industrial designer and maker, Gibson teaches sketching, digital design, as well as studio courses.

Dr. Julie Lamarra was awarded the 2022 Undergraduate Faculty Member Award from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

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.

Dan Madden, founder of Madden Equipment, and Mike Valvano, former President at Madden join the History of Gear to talk about how Madden stood out from other early pack companies and the rise, acquisition, sunsetting, and revival of the brand today.

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.

Dominique Showers, VP of ReBird at Arc'teryx, speaks to students about the circularity program at the company, upcycling, and what the brand is doing to address sustainability issues in the past while building a roadmap to the future.

Korbin Birrell, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Wave Products as a designer!

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.

Kiara Tingey, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Under Armour as a Freelance Associate Designer.

Zachary Buffaloe, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a full-time position at Rocky Mountain ATV as a Product Line Manager.

Ellie Ward, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a full-time position at Nani Swimwear as a Designer.

Josh Norgard, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a full-time position at Outdoor Research as a Sustainability and Product Impact Coordinator.

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.

To better serve the faculty and rapidly growing number of students enrolled in USU’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Dean Ken White this week announced changes in the structure of some departments and programs in the college.

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...

Doug Hintze, a graduate of Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Black Diamond as a Footwear Designer.

Julia Feldman, Sustainability Leader and Product Coordinator for Teva, talks to OPDD students about the opportunity to integrate sustainability into the design process and how she stays motivated in the fight for sustainability.

Connor Young, a graduate of Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Cotopaxi as a Color Designer for the Packs and Equipment team.

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.

Drew Eakins, North American Marketing Manager for Hestra Gloves, talks about how students can break into the industry, his role and many hats as a marketing manager, and his pathway into the outdoor industry.

Jacob Johnson, a senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at Vooray as a Product Designer.

Cory Griffey, a senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at Under Armour as an Associate Designer. Griffey previously interned with Under Armour.

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.

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.

Leander Angerer, Creative and Founder behind Racing Atelier, talks about blending synthetic and natural materials to create beautiful and functional handmade packs in Bavaria.

Damon Morris, formerly the Senior Development at Manager at The North Face (now VP Outdoor at K2) spoke to OPDD students about the role of a product manager in bringing product to market and how instrumental design, development, and management are to maki...

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...

New Balance Product Manager, David Gibson, spoke to OPDD students in their first year about his experience as a product manager as well as the distinct roles of a designer and developer and how all three work together to bring product to market.

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.

Maddie Anzovino, Fabric & Product Development Manager at Backcountry, spoke to OPDD students in the Intro to Product Creation course to talk about the importance of sustainability and the role of product designers, developers, and product managers in crea...

The Outdoor Recreation Archive (USU Special Collections & Archives) and Range partnered to host the first ever Outdoor History Summit on September 15, 2021.

Colin Berg, Brand Historian for Eddie Bauer joins the History of Gear to talk about how the 100-year-old brand has led the way preserving it’s history, the power of archives to brand authenticity and the opportunity for brands to work together to preserve...

Evie Moe, formerly the VP of Design at Cotopaxi, spoke to OPDD students on Instagram Live in 2020. Moe is now the Senior Director of Apparel at Hoka, but the discussion about how to be creative remains timeless and valuable.

Dana Gleason, legendary pack designer and owner of Mystery Ranch, joins the History of Gear, to talk about why his career has focused on packs and the origins of companies like Mojo Systems, Kletterwerks, Dana Design and Mystery Ranch.

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, Dave Moore, the Heritage and Digital Asset Manager for Carhartt talks about the ROI of historic preservation, the history of the Carhartt collection, and his personal journey into working in corporate archive...

Lisa Dougherty, Content Director at Range, joins the podcast to talk about the growing popularity of mushrooms and their opportunity to change the world in addition to the consumer products industry.

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...

Kelli Williams, a Technical Developer at The North Face, speaks to OPDD students about her pathway to a career in product development and ways to stand out when trying to break into the industry.

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.

Doug Heinrich, VP Product Development at Kuhl, joins the OPDD program to talk with students about what makes a great portfolio, the role of a designer in the industry, and his perspective on working for a privately held versus public outdoor company.

Marilyn Moss, former CEO and President of Moss Tents joins the History of Gear Series to discuss her role building a responsible, successful company and the influence of famed tent designer and fabric artist, Bill Moss.

Lauren Guthrie, Vice President of Global Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action at VF Corporation, spoke to students in OPDD about the importance of identifying their values and the importance of inclusive design principles and practices.

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.

Lauren Voigt, a Talent Acquisition Partner at Backcountry.com spoke to the OPDD Industry Seminar class about Backcountry, their growing owned brands team, and tips for nailing the interview.

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...

Lisa Dougherty, Content Director at Range, shares her journey into the outdoor industry and her research into the growth of gaming and virtual spaces and what that means for the future of the sports and outdoor industries.

David Alcorn joins the History of Gear Series to talk about his introduction to design, the creation of The North Face logo, and the power of brand.

JJ Collier, a professional snowboarder turned product designer, shares his journey into the outdoor industry and experience in design for brands like Salomon, Ralph Lauren, Spyder, VF Corporation, and his latest venture, Collier Brands.

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.

John Sears, VP at Gregory Mountain Products, joined the Intro to Product Creation class to talk about his pathway into the outdoor industry through industrial design as well as the challenges and opportunities designing softgoods and packs.

Mark Erickson and Jan Fletcher share their experience as early employees of The North Face on the History of Gear Series. Erickson and Fletcher talk about their contributions to major product innovations.

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...

Jocelyn Rice, a Senior Apparel Designer with experience at companies like Columbia, Nike, and Eddie Bauer, shares her day to day as a technical apparel designer, her work pushing for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors, and her pathway into t...

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...

Karl Brown, a teenager from Logan, Utah, shares his experience turning his passion for sneakers into a customizing business.

On the History of Gear Series, Bruce Johnson shares his insights into the history and influence of Early Winters. Johnson talks about the legacy of the brand including the creation of the Omnipotent.

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.

Dr. LaJean Lawson, USU Alumni (Class of 1985) and sports bra innovator, shares her experience going to Utah State and her groundbreaking research on sports bras.

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 (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.

Utah State University is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Amber Williams as the newest member of the Outdoor Product Design & Development faculty.