Run Your Story

Run Your Story is a youth-centered design activation developed in partnership with The Odyssey and the YMCA in Virginia, where storytelling met tangible creation. Commissioned to help bring the program’s final moment to life, I designed an experience that celebrated students’ journeys from concept to physical form.
Each participant translated their personal narrative into a custom sneaker design, beginning with hand-drawn illustrations and culminating in fully realized 3D-printed footwear. The activation served as both a showcase and a statement highlighting not just the final products, but the depth of thought, identity, and intention behind each design.

The experience was structured to feel immersive and affirming, positioning the students as designers with real voices and viable ideas. By elevating their work through thoughtful presentation and storytelling, the activation reinforced a core message of the program: creativity is not just expressive, it’s executable.