The global sports trend is booming, especially in running, with one in every 13 people worldwide participating in the sport. The most basic sporting goods are running shoes. Taiwan started its footwear manufacturing industry in the 1960s and has become a global leader in footwear outsourcing. To help students connect with the sports industry, we have invited Ms. Chen Yi-jun, Project Manager of the Product Development Department of Pou Chen Group, to share insights on "Innovation and Application of Sports Products" on May 2, 2024. The guest speaker began by explaining that to design sports shoes, it is essential to understand fashion trends and consumer behavior patterns in order to grasp business opportunities. She then discussed the importance of comfort from a human factors perspective and highlighted key shoe design elements. She also explained how scientific testing and data are used to assess the effectiveness of shoes and define good designs. Furthermore, she shared applications of cutting-edge technologies, such as carbon plate shoes, arch support designs, and 3D printed shoes. Through the speaker's insights, we gained an understanding of the project development process at internationally renowned shoe manufacturers and the key points to watch for. Maintaining enthusiasm and staying in touch with customers to clearly understand user needs is critical to successfully designing and manufacturing shoes that are suitable for them.

Implemented by Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology
Date: 2024/05/02