A method of forming a cushioning element for an article of footwear or apparel, the cushioning element having a plurality of sub-regions comprising differentially affixed foamed particles, the method comprising: arranging a plurality of foam particles, wherein the arranged plurality of foam particles comprises a thermoplastic elastomer material, and wherein the arranged plurality of foam particles has a number average particle size of 0.04 millimeters to 10 millimeters in a longest dimension; depositing a binding material in a binding material target area, wherein the binding material target area comprises a portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles, and wherein the depositing coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles with the binding material, wherein the binding material comprises a thermal energy absorber, which is an infrared energy absorber; and curing deposited binding material coating at least a portion of the defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles within the binding material target area, wherein curing comprises affixing the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles within the target area; wherein the curing comprises: applying energy to the deposited binding material and the arranged plurality of foam particles in an amount and for a duration sufficient to soften the thermoplastic elastomer material of the coated at least a portion of the defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles, wherein the applying energy comprises applying energy within the infrared spectrum; and decreasing a temperature of the region of the arranged plurality of foam particles to a temperature at or below which the softened thermoplastic elastomer material re-solidifies; thereby affixing at least a portion of the coated at least a portion of the defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles in the binding material target area, forming the cushioning element. arranging a plurality of foam particles, wherein the arranged plurality of foam particles comprises a thermoplastic elastomer material, and wherein the arranged plurality of foam particles has a number average particle size of 0.04 millimeters to 10 millimeters in a longest dimension; depositing a binding material in a binding material target area, wherein the binding material target area comprises a portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles, and wherein the depositing coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles with the binding material, wherein the binding material comprises a thermal energy absorber, which is an infrared energy absorber; and curing deposited binding material coating at least a portion of the defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles within the binding material target area, wherein curing comprises affixing the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles within the target area; applying energy to the deposited binding material and the arranged plurality of foam particles in an amount and for a duration sufficient to soften the thermoplastic elastomer material of the coated at least a portion of the defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles, wherein the applying energy comprises applying energy within the infrared spectrum; and decreasing a temperature of the region of the arranged plurality of foam particles to a temperature at or below which the softened thermoplastic elastomer material re-solidifies; thereby affixing at least a portion of the coated at least a portion of the defining surfaces of the portion of the arranged plurality of foam particles in the binding material target area, forming the cushioning element. <EOS>