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OPDD
Outdoor Product Design and Development

Welcome to Outdoor Product Design & Development!

Outdoor Product Design & Development provides students the opportunity to learn the design principles and technical skills necessary to bring innovative and impactful products to market. Over the course of 4 years, students will learn the process of product creation, how to communicate design through sketching and digital tools, and how to translate designs into protoypes and final products through hands on projects.

OPDD students can design anything they put their mind to, including ice axes, a line of sustainable apparel, soccer cleats, and many other exciting products!

Students have access to 6 different labs on campus to get their hands dirty and translate their sketches and digital renderings into prototypes and finished products.

Students in OPDD end up working in a variety of full-time positions including designer, technical developer, product line manager, supply chain manager, and more.

OPDD was created with the help of the Industry Advisory Board including representatives from companies including Patagonia, VF Corporation, Black Diamond, and more.

OPDD Student Resources 

Advising

Advising

Contact or schedule an appointment with your advisor to create a plan that is best for you to graduate. 

Find My Advisor

Scholarships

Scholarships

All matriculated OPDD students are eligible to apply for a scholarship. Last year over $30,000 were awarded.

View Scholarships

Internships

Internship

Students looking for their required internships opportunites, or companies looking to advertise can contact staff.

Internship Info

Clubs

Sustainability Certificate

OPDD has partnered with the Outdoor Industry Association to launch the online Outdoor Industry Business Certificate.

Register Now

OPDD students and faculty in the news!

Read stories about what students and faculty in the OPDD program are building and creating HERE.

Maura Dilley and Nicole Bassett Talk Circular Design with Sustainability Class

Maura Dilley and Nicole Bassett Talk Circular Design with Sustainability Class

04/17/2023

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 Accepts Position at Asher Golf

Garrett Davis Accepts Position at Asher Golf

04/12/2023

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 Accepts Position at TETON Sports

Kaiden Boucher Accepts Position at TETON Sports

03/22/2023

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.


 

Utah Industry Resource Alliance Partner

Utah State University’s Utah Manufacturing Extension Service and the Outdoor Products Design and Development program have combined to create the Manufacturing and Outdoor Products support hub. The two programs also became founding members of the Utah Industry Resource Alliance (UIRA). The UIRA is a vital economic development organization chartered specifically to help Utah manufacturers, industry, and rural Utah businesses. UIRA's primary focus is to Help Utah’s Manufacturers Grow and Thrive. The UIRA serves as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center for Utah, providing services and outreach to all 29 counties. It focuses on improving the bottom line through concepts like process improvement and operational efficiencies, supply chain optimization, and quality systems and certifications. It also focuses on helping companies grow through new technologies, workforce development, strategic planning, and expanded markets.

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Become an Aggie

To become an aggie, here are four things you need to do: 

  1. Apply to USU
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  3. Check scholarships and funding opportuinites 
  4. Submerge into Student Life