Training the next generation of designers
Utah State University establishes an all-star advisory board for its outdoor product design program.
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The Utah State University has established an advisory board of iconic industry brands for its Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) program, the first of its kind.
The board will meet twice a year to guide the OPDD program. Member brands will be able to offer suggestions on the curriculum and create design challenges and provide internship opportunities for students. The goal is to help ensure the program prepares students for careers as outdoor product and apparel designers and developers.
Brands represented on the advisory board include Patagonia, Black Diamond, Altra Footwear, Cabela’s, Vista Outdoors, Backcountry.com, Cotopaxi, Burton, Klim, Klymit, Simms Fishing, and ENVE Composites. Leslie Howa, founder of American Hardwear (now Mountain Hardwear), and Tom Adams, director of the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, will also serve on the board.
“USU is on the cutting edge of workforce training for the ever-growing outdoor recreation economy,” Adams said in a press release. “It’s moving to see such a strong, passionate and successful list of board members and businesses all willing to donate their time to support this ground-breaking program.”
