We began by listening. We talked to real hikers, read between the lines of reviews and forums, and challenged the assumptions baked into traditional sizing and fit. We uncovered a pattern of exclusion masked as standardization, and we knew our solution had to be more than symbolic. It had to be functional, credible, and meaningful. Breakthru 1.0 was the first hiking shoe designed from the ground up for plus-size women. Every element was considered: fit informed by real foot morphology, support that accounted for joint strain and load distribution, and a design language that balanced technical credibility with bold self-expression. I led the project across disciplines, serving as the lead designer, project manager, and cross-functional translator between creative vision and real-world execution. I worked closely with manufacturers on product development, sourcing and costing, ensuring our materials and build stayed true to our values without compromising performance or feasibility. I developed the product story and positioning, crafting a narrative that honored the consumer, not the category. This wasn’t just a student project; it was a fully realized concept, made possible through relentless advocacy, thoughtful design, and strategic execution. Breakthru 1.0 stands as proof that inclusive design isn’t a trend, it’s the future. And it’s worth building from the ground up.