PLC Detroit and New Balance Launch Global Design Capstone Inspired by Sport, Culture, and Craftsmanship
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Posted By: P C on July 07, 2026 For the past decade, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC Detroit) and New Balance have done more than partner on design education. Together, they have created opportunities, opened career pathways, and prepared emerging designers for careers in one of the world's most competitive industries. That commitment continues with the launch of the Global Design Capstone, a 10-week Industry Credential Program that celebrates the 10-year partnership by giving aspiring designers the opportunity to solve an authentic New Balance design challenge while preparing for careers in the global footwear and apparel industry. Applications are open through July 26, 2026. As the nation's only design-focused HBCU, PLC Detroit has built its reputation on connecting education with industry. Rather than relying on hypothetical classroom assignments, students work alongside some of the world's leading brands, gaining practical experience that prepares them for professional careers. The Global Design Capstone continues that approach. Built around the theme One City. One Sport: A Celebration of Sport, Culture, and Craft, the program challenges participants to conceptualize a premium, high-performance collection inspired by the defining sport, craftsmanship, and cultural identity of cities around the world. Beginning August 24, just 16 participants will work in interdisciplinary teams to solve a real New Balance design brief inspired by four global cities and their signature sports: • Paris — Basketball • Delhi — Cricket • Rio de Janeiro — Football • Tokyo — Baseball Participants will research each city's craftsmanship traditions, cultural influences, consumer behaviors, and youthful energy before creating innovative footwear, apparel, and color and material concepts designed for female athletes. The goal is to blend high-performance functionality with lifestyle and cultural storytelling in ways that reflect today's global consumer. The program also highlights what has made the PLC Detroit–New Balance partnership successful for the past 10 years: authentic industry experience. Unlike a traditional classroom project, participants will collaborate across Footwear Design, Apparel Design, and Color & Material Design disciplines while working with New Balance designers and PLC faculty. Along the way, they will strengthen their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while developing portfolio-worthy prototypes inside PLC Detroit's Concept Maker Labs. More importantly, they will gain experience solving the kinds of challenges designers face every day in the professional world. "Our partnership has always been about creating opportunities, opening doors, and preparing students with the skills, experience, and confidence to lead the future of design," said Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, President of Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. "Over the past 10 years, we've seen what's possible when education and industry work together with a shared purpose. New Balance has hired more than 35 of our alumni into full-time positions, demonstrating the power of this partnership. This capstone marks the next chapter in our commitment to developing the next generation of global designers." That hiring record reflects the larger mission behind the partnership. The Global Design Capstone is not simply about designing products. It is about workforce development and workforce empowerment. It creates a direct connection between education and employment by giving emerging designers the experience, mentorship, and industry prospective employers increasingly seek. "This is a workforce development and workforce empowerment initiative preparing the next generation of designers to work in a global marketplace," Dr. Edwards said. "The future of design belongs to those who understand people, culture, and how consumers live around the world." For HBCUs, programs like this demonstrate the growing role institutions can play in preparing students for careers in creative industries. PLC Detroit continues to serve as a bridge between local talent and global opportunity, empowering designers to create products inspired by sport, culture, and craftsmanship while building careers with some of the world's leading brands. The Industry Credential Program concludes with final presentations on October 29, where participants will present their concepts to New Balance and industry professionals. Only 16 participants will be selected for this immersive, in-person experience. ***Applications are open now through July 26, 2026, for U.S. residents ages 18 and older. Apply here: https://egtvl.share.hsforms.com/2ZraMCgiMR... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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P C
Publicist, PCPR Communications Member Since May 2024 |
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