Winter 2019 - Inside Outdoor Magazine

Inside Outdoor | WINTER 2019 44 training students to work as both de- signers and developers — a skill that program coordinator Chase Anderson says is sorely lacking. “Many folks in the industry tell us they can find good designers, but it’s really hard to find trained developers,” Anderson said. “Usually, a company will hire a designer and then transition the employee into a developer.” At Utah State, students start by learning the core elements of design. The program also teaches students how to effectively communicate their ideas as they work to create viable products. Students learn how to design everything from axes to cleats to climb- ing equipment. “We want to make sure our students are really good at communicating visual design with a pencil and with digital tools,” Anderson explained. “One thing we try to impress upon students is that the first thing they sketch is not the fin- ished product. We want them to iterate and refine. That’s one thing we really push early on in the program.” OPDD students have access to six laboratories at Utah State, where they learn to work with materials such as metals, composite plastics and fabrics. “Another thing we keep hearing from companies is, ‘I don’t want someone who can just draw lines on paper,’” Anderson said. “There’s a lot of people who can produce nice renderings and sketches, but those things might not actually be manufacturable. While the concept and sharing stages of produc- tion are super valuable, we strive to en- sure our students are actually informed on different processes and construction techniques, and what actually goes on in a factory. By teaching our students about factories and production, and cre- ating designers who are well informed about how products are made, we can eliminate a lot of the back and forth that goes on for companies.” As senior Lexi McDermott ex- plained, the OPDD program has pro- vided her with a well-rounded educa- tion. She has learned the history of the outdoor industry and core design skills, while being challenged to think outside the box when solving problems. “Learning about sustainability, aes- thetics, pattern drafting, marketing, textile science and machining processes has given me new lenses to look through as I design,” McDermott said. “Taking a variety of classes has expanded my view of the sport and outdoor industry and given my designs more depth as I take these factors in account. I feel excited to enter the industry with the set of skills and perspectives I have gained from this degree at Utah State.” The Advocates Student collaborate in OPDD classroom