About

Biography

Elisa Payer is a 29-year-young designer from Austria, currently based in Los Angeles, where she serves as a Senior Footwear Designer at ADIDAS. In this role, she leads key design projects, collaborating with high-profile partners such as Edison Chen and Pharrell Williams. Prior to joining ADIDAS, Elisa was an independent designer in Milan, working with renowned brands including RHUDE, ZARA, INAN, DECKERS BRANDS (UGG), LACELESS DESIGN, YEEZY, NGGH++ and MONCLER.

Elisa discovered her passion in art and design in kindergarten by always drawing and crafting. Fascinated by architecture, she would often flip through magazines, sketching her own floor plans. Elisa’s childhood of silence due her hearing loss led her to a very unique perspective of how she sees the world; and every day, she enlightens people by simply her attitude and beliefs.

After graduating High School she decided to move across the world to study Industrial Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. During Elisa’s studies she has consistently proven her work ethic, willingness to learn and meet challenges - including internships at Mattel - Hot Wheels, Whipsaw, Under Armour and Deckers Brands (UGG, Hoka, Teva, Sanuk). Her student-work had been recognized by the IDSA Student Merit Award 2018 and IDA Award, and she was nominated to be a Valedictorian Candidate for the Class of 2020 and graduated in President’s Honor Roll.

Elisa’s passion for creation extends beyond her professional life—she is a visionary, creator, and pioneer who constantly strives to give back to humanity and bring her dreams to fruition. Her early design career has been nothing short of prolific, and we are eager to see the heights she will continue to reach in the future.