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Elizabeth Liu

BS in Product Design — Product Design
Course:
New Balance Sponsor Studio
Faculty:
Kevin Beard & Safir Bellali
Term:
2025 Spring
Collaborators:
Andrew Xia

New Balance LA28

Building on New Balance’s momentum from Paris 2024, this project reimagines marathon racing footwear for the LA28 Olympics. The design focuses on enhancing forward propulsion and energy return, while delivering lightweight, adaptive support to sustain performance and comfort over 26.2 miles.

Process:

The process began with research into elite marathon performance, including studying athlete Alex Yee to better understand biomechanics, pacing, and movement over long distances. These insights informed early concept development focused on propulsion and energy return.

Through iterative sketching and prototyping, the design evolved into a holistic system that subtly suspends the foot, enhancing forward momentum while reducing impact over extended distances. This concept introduced a sense of rhythmic, pulsating support, similar to a light, breathable cadence—leading to the final concept, PulseStride.

Learning Outcomes:
  • Applied biomechanics research to inform performance design
  • Explored propulsion and energy return through structural innovation
  • Developed design storytelling to communicate performance concepts and user experience
Project Website:
https://www.elizabethpdjourney.com/newbalance
Tags:
Production Design