Susan Sokolowski, PhD, has over 25 years of performance sporting goods experience, working cross-functionally between footwear, apparel and equipment in creative and strategic roles. Her work is holistic in nature, where consideration of the athlete’s body form, performance, psychology, sport, materials and styling are addressed to develop game-changing innovation solutions. She is specifically focused on issues surrounding design of products for special populations, including women, children, and disabled athletes. Susan has been recognized internationally for her achievements in design and innovation, including over 35 utility and design patents, awards from the United States Olympic Committee and Volvo, and featured product design at the Design Museum London. A motivational coach and mentor, Susan is committed to inspiring students in product design, development and business. Susan is a graduate of the University of Minnesota (PhD), Cornell University (MA) and the Fashion Institute of Technology (BFA).

Recent news/press: UO duo’s design makes final round of Department of Defense research competition; New sports product design students already creating, fabricating, winning; UO product design teams take top prizes at QuackCon; Women’s Olympics uniforms topic of UO professor’s research; cUriOus: Students Designing Sports Gear (Jefferson Public Radio), Playing on the Team: Sports Branding and Design