New Balance x PLC Capstone 2026

What happens when sport, culture, craftsmanship, and innovation collide?

We're inviting the next generation of designers to take on a global design challenge in partnership with New Balance. Collaborate with fellow creatives to build a future-forward performance inspired by the energy, aesthetics, and local culture of some of the world's most influential cities.

This is your chance to create work that lives at the intersection of performance, lifestyle, and cultural storytelling.

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Program Format
In-Person at PLC Detroit Campus
Dates
On Campus 9AM - 5PM Monday-Friday
- Class Start: August 24, 2026
- Class End: October 29, 2026
You'll Receive
Free Tuition
Free Housing
Industry Credential Certificate
NB Mentorship
Design Tracks
Apparel Design
Color & Material Design
Footwear Design
Costs
Travel to and from Detroit
Food
Personal Expenses
Class Size
16 Students

Key Dates:

Application Period: Monday, June 29 – Sunday, July 26

Final Submission Due: July 26, 2026 11:59PM ET

Class Start: Monday, August 24th

Final Presentation Day: Thursday, October 29th

Class End: Thursday, October 29th

01
Submission Brief

Review the submission brief and follow the instructions for your design track.

View Submission Brief
02
Previous Submission Examples

View previous application submissions to understand what a quality application looks like.

View Submission Examples
03
Apply Now

Submit your application by July 26, 2026 @ 11:59PM. Good Luck!

Apply Now

The Challenge:

You will design a premium New Balance performance project for a female athlete inspired by one defining sport and the unique cultural identity within the global city they live and play in.

Inspired by local craftsmanship, cultural traditions, consumer behaviors, color sensibilities, urban textures, and the city's spirt. You will develop a cohesive design concept that reinterprets heritage through the lens of innovation and sport. 

The final concept should appeal to the modern consumer-someone who effortlessly transitions between sp.

Choose Your Design Track

  • Footwear Design

    Create a future-forward footwear concept that blends performance and lifestyle.

  • Apparel Design

    Design innovative apparel solution that merges performance, functionality, and storytelling.

  • Color & Material Design

    Build a compelling color, material, and finish narrative that brings the collection to life.

What You'll Gain

We're looking for ambitious designers who are passionate about sport, performance culture, innovation, and storytelling.

Whether your focus is Footwear Design, Apparel Design, or Color & Material Design, this challenge is for creatives ready to push boundaries and bring bold ideas to life.

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  • Real-world experience solving a New Balance Design Brief
  • Cross-disciplinary collaboration with emerging designers
  • Portfolio-worthy project development and prototyping
  • Mentorship and feedback from industry professionals
  • Work-Force Training to hone your creativity, process, and critical design-thinking skills.
  • Earn the Opportunity: Be considered for a 1-Year Paid New Balance Apprenticeship

PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS

E. Scott Morris

PLC Detroit Chair of Footwear

Ms. Suzette Henry

PLC Detroit Chair of Color & Materials

Sam Ryan

PLC Detroit Chair of Apparel
Frequently Asked Questions
You will be provided with free tuition and housing during the 10 week program
Yes, you are expected to be at the PLC Detroit campus from 9-5 weekdays for the duration of the program. You can expect to spend ten to fifteen hours per week in lecture with additional flex hours working independently and with a team.
Due to the class project focus and curriculum, you can only enroll in one design discipline at a time. However, you will gain exposure to the other disciplines offered by participating in ALL classes, being guest speakers, attending lectures, and working on a team with a peer from each design discipline.
Any person 18 years of age + and a resident of the United States are eligible. However, all activities that fulfill the application requirements must be completed by the program's application deadline.
Enrolled students will be responsible for indirect expenses such as food, travel to/from Detroit, transportation, and other personal expenses.
submission brief is a document that provides applicants with direction on their design submission. Our submission brief is a two-part brief that consist of the following: Part I - Show us your work For apparel and footwear design you must submit a pdf presentation of your original design. Your presentation should include a consumer, theme, inspiration, ideation, and final design. For color & material design you must submit a pdf presentation that consists of a consumer, theme, and moodboard and color palette. Part II - Tell us About Yourself Submit a 2-minute video answering a set of questions included in the video prompt.

Program Partners