FUTURE SOLE DESIGN COMPETITION
NIKE RECOGNIZES ASPIRING YOUTH
Inspiring design for the future. That’s what D’Wayne Edwards, Jordan Brand Footwear Design Director, hoped to achieve when he created Nike’s Future Sole Design, a community-oriented youth contest for aspiring footwear designers. Sponsored by Nike’s Global Footwear and Jordan Brand Design teams, kids ages 14-19 from across the US competed to have their designs known.
Nike’s Future Sole Design Contest, the first of its kind, generated over 47,000 hits on the Web site and recieved 140 design submissions. Out of the competition, two winning designers were chosen— Ben Adams-Keane, age 15 from Arlington, Massachusetts and Juan Carlos Pozo, age 17 from Ocala, Florida— and Nike welcomed them at the World Headquarters (WHQ) in Beaverton, Oregon for a day of awards and recognition.
“The future of footwear design is bright,” said Tinker Hatfield, VP Creative Design. “I am inspired and impressed by the level of talent our winners showed. They understood the fundamentals of design, showing really innovative and cool shoes.”
For the WHQ event, Ben and Juan had the opportunity to meet with Nike’s premier designers, present their winning footwear creations and celebrate with a select crowd of Nike employees and sneaker media.
“This contest has been unreal,” said Adams-Keane. “I had the chance to do what I always dreamed of, but never imagined. It’s been a great experience and I am so thankful to Nike for giving me this opportunity.”
To help them hone their creative skills both Juan and Ben received MacBook Pro 15's complete with design programs and a Wacom Graphic Tablet.
On the judging panel were top Nike executives and designers Sandy Bodecker, Peter Hudson, Lorrie Vogel, Howard White and Elliot Hill.
Visit the Future Sole Design Web site for more information about the contestants and their designs.