Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Molly Greene
Student Spotlight featuring BA (Hons) Product Design student Molly Greene and her project 'Wild Stride'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 23 May 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
Wild Stride is a female trail running brand and mobile app created to empower and support young women in the world of trail running. Rooted in values of empowerment, community, functionality and safety, the project builds a space where female runners feel seen, supported and inspired to break boundaries. Through inclusive UX and real-world insights, Wild Stride offers a platform that connects runners through community features, pop-up events, and storytelling - celebrating the strength of women, the joy of movement, and the freedom of the trails.
Wild Stride was inspired by Molly's experiences as a trail runner in a rural area.
The inspiration behind the project
Molly knew she wanted to focus on branding and marketing in her final project - areas she is passionate about and hopes to explore further in the future - and drew inspiration from her own experiences as a runner.
"In 2024, I secured a ballot place for the London Marathon - a huge personal achievement. But during my placement year, I relocated to Yorkshire, meaning my training took place mostly in the countryside and on trails in the North York Moors as opposed to busy city running. The landscapes were beautiful and peaceful, but the experience sometimes felt quite isolating.
"At the same time, social media was full of images showing urban run clubs, runners training in groups, grabbing post-run coffees, and sharing their journeys together. That kind of community and energy just didn’t exist in the countryside - and it made me realise there was a gap in the running world."
It was this experience that inspired Molly to develop a brand that supports female trail runners like herself, particularly in rural or more remote areas. She explains: "I wanted to design something that not only celebrates the beauty and mental clarity of trail running, but also builds connection, confidence, and community for those who often feel overlooked in a sport frequently shaped by city based perspectives."
The project was a chance for Molly to gain experience in digital product design.
The project experience
Molly says: "This project has been a rollercoaster - but in the best way possible. It's been rewarding to work on something I’m genuinely passionate about, especially as it aligns closely with what I hope to do in the future: building and working with brands.
"Having the freedom to tailor the brief to my own interests and define the final outcome was a little daunting at first, but it pushed me to grow. It gave me the opportunity to apply everything I’ve learned over the past few years, both at university and during my placement, while also exploring new areas of design."
For Molly, the project has been about developing the independence to manage the project herself (with support and feedback from her tutors, and the advice of industry contacts), staying focused and motivated.
"Learning how to design and build an app was completely new territory for me, but it was exciting to stretch myself and gain hands-on experience in digital product design," she says. "Overall, this project has been a huge learning curve, but also a hugely fulfilling one. It’s confirmed that this is the kind of work I want to do - creative, strategic, and purpose-driven."
Molly Greene - BA (Hons) Product Design
Being part of NTU
Molly considers her time at NTU as being "transformative". During her studies she has taken advantage of many "incredible opportunities", including a month studying abroad in Mexico exploring Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, a placement with Nestlé, as well as representing NTU in multiple sports and working part-time roles on campus.
"This experience has significantly strengthened my time management and organisational skills, as I’ve learned to juggle a very busy and varied schedule. I've also developed strong communication and leadership abilities through my sports and university involvement.
"During my placement, I discovered the importance of networking - learning how valuable it is to connect with others, seek guidance, and collaborate. These interactions have played a big role in both my personal and professional development. I had the chance to collaborate with talented professionals across departments, learn valuable design and cross-functional skills, and contribute to real-world projects - some of which are now out in the world. Seeing my work come to life was a proud and unforgettable moment."
"As a Product Design student, I’ve also developed key skills in problem-solving, creative thinking, user-centred design, and the ability to turn ideas into practical, impactful solutions."
Closing remarks
Molly says: "Embrace every single moment - because it flies by! Make the most of the amazing facilities, tools, and resources available, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your tutors - they're not just there to teach, but to guide, inspire, and support you. Ultimately, what you get out of this experience depends entirely on what you put into it. So show up, get stuck in, and give it everything you've got. It’s challenging, exciting, and completely worth it!"