Richy Ramirez-Cobian
BFA in Product Design, 2025
Capstone Project: Liztli
Hi, I’m Richy Ramirez-Cobian, an industrial designer with a passion for creating thoughtful, functional products across footwear, soft goods, and everyday objects. My design approach blends cultural awareness, material exploration, and user experience, always aiming to push beyond what’s expected. I believe in designing with intention, where every detail serves a purpose and tells a story. With a background in both hands-on fabrication and digital visualization, I enjoy rethinking how we interact with products to make them more personal, intuitive, and long lasting. My goal is to design pieces that people don’t just use but connect with.
My project focuses on designing lower leg equipment for the reemerging Mesoamerican sport of Ulama. This game is intense, fast, and deeply rooted in cultural tradition, but it's also physically demanding and often causes pain and injury to players’ legs. I set out to create protective gear that honors the heritage of the sport while making it more accessible to new athletes. By lowering the barrier to entry and reducing physical strain, my goal is to support the sport’s revival and growth. This project is about preservation through innovation, keeping Ulama alive by making it safer and more inclusive.
