Happening April 15-21, in conjunction with Design Week Portland, “Unparalleled”—a series of free workshops—includes sessions focused on designing sports products, including apparel, footwear, and equipment. Hosted by Department of Product Design faculty, students, and affiliated professional designers, the workshops introduce students of all ages to the skills and career possibilities in product design. Events take place at the UO’s Portland facilities at the White Stag Block in historic Old Town.

The “Unparalleled” events are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts through an Art Works grant. This is the second year the project has received NEA funding, totaling $32,500 over the two years.

In the following workshops, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to draw sneakers like a pro, test their sports product knowledge at a sports product trivia night, design 3D cleats for a football v. fútbol battle, create a sport–fashion mashup, design an extreme t-shirt, or get a personal biomechanics analysis.

April 15—Sneaker Jam
April 16—Extreme T-Shirt
April 17—Football v. Fútbol
April 18—Sport, Meet Fashion
April 19—Sports Product Trivia Night
April 20—Extreme T-Shirt
April 21—Biomechanics, My Mechanics

Visit Eventbrite DWP 2018: Unparalleled Design Workshops for more in-depth information on each event and how to get tickets. Students with student ID may attend free of charge, but should reserve space by getting a ticket.

In addition to the workshops, visitors will also be able to participate in the latest research on body size. Sports Product Design Program Director and Associate Professor Susan Sokolowski is looking for participants for the Human Solutions Size North America study, which aims to identify the most current body dimensions of North Americans, ages 18–65.

The body measurements and proportions of North Americans have changed considerably in recent decades. Precise knowledge of human body shapes is indispensable for the development of apparel, seating in sports arenas, vehicles, and more.

Participating at the UO Portland campus at 70 NW Couch Street takes only about 35 minutes, which includes:

• Explanation of study and overview of data collection (~5 minutes)
• Completion of the consent form (~5 minutes)
• Completion of questionnaire (~15 minutes)
• Body scanning data collection process (~5 minutes)
• Debriefing and departure (~5 minutes)

Participants will be paid $20 for their time. To schedule an appointment, visit the Size North America scheduling page.