When did you first develop a love for running?

I've actually been into running since my teenage years. It started as a part of my warm-up and cardio routine, but it wasn't until I joined the Nike running team that I began proper running training. During my third 5km run, I experienced an incredible "runner's high" that truly made me fall in love with running. From that point on, I delved into studying various aspects of running, such as different foot strikes, gait analysis, ground contact time (GCT), pronation, and running shoe analysis.

Did you conduct any market research before designing your products?

Interviewee: Absolutely! I found inspiration for my designs and also conducted market research to understand the target market. I had the opportunity to meet countless runners, from the NY Marathon expo to Santa Monica Beach, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, London, Barcelona, and more. One of the best experiences was meeting runners at marathon expos, as I could interact with a diverse range of runners in one place over just a few days. I received valuable feedback from them, and it was incredible to recommend different types of running shoes based on their needs. These interactions also shaped my mindset as a designer, understanding the importance of meeting the people who will actually wear the shoes I design.

Apart from running shoes, you've designed a variety of sneakers. How has your experience in designing running shoes influenced your design career?

Without a doubt, my experience in designing running shoes has had a significant impact on my overall design career. Running is a fundamental movement in almost all sports, so the knowledge and expertise I gained while developing running shoes have proven invaluable across different athletic footwear categories. Whether it's basketball or tennis shoes, understanding the mechanics of running has been key to creating effective designs.

You initially took up running to design running shoes. What's the difference between experiencing running as a running shoe designer versus not being a runner yourself?

Being a runner myself has provided me with a deeper understanding of the connection between the foot and the shoe. When I run, I can feel which parts of my foot are stimulated, stressed, or even hurting. It's important to note that you don't have to be an elite runner, achieving impressive times or distances, to design exceptional running shoes. However, by trying out different running shoes and comparing them in shorter runs of 1-2km, you can definitely notice the differences and understand the pros and cons of each design. Feedback from professional runners also plays a vital role during the development stage. Having personal running experience enables me to better grasp these nuances and create shoes that cater to specific needs. To put it in perspective, consider a chef who tries different dishes versus one who relies solely on customer feedback—having firsthand experience undoubtedly enhances the quality of the end product.