D\'Wayne Edwards
Designing a Dream
June 19, 2006 | by brett | Permalink
D’Wayne Edwards is the Design Director of Footwear for the Jordan Brand, probably one of the coolest jobs on the planet. He has designed the latest pair of Jordan’s, the XXI’s, Roy Jones boxing shoes, and the Melo shoes. He has been with Nike for over six years, and it is pretty clear that he loves his job.
When we walked in his office, he had a sketch of a shoe he was designing, possibly the new Melo shoe, and was surrounded by shoes that he had designed over the years. It takes around 18 months to design the new Jordan or Melo shoe and actually get in on the shelves, and these are the two shoes that D’Wayne works on now.
His office has jerseys hanging up on one wall, including an Inglewood high school jersey, where he went to high school, and where our story of his journey begins.
D’Wayne started sketching shoes at age 12, and dreamt of designing them when he was older. When he was in high school, he went to his school counselor for guidance, and received none. The counselor told him to join the military, that’s the only option or else he wouldn’t be anything.”Now what kind of guidance is that?” D’Wayne remarked to us when telling the story.
D’Wayne ignored the “advice” of his counselor and went on to enroll at the Santa Monica and El Camino colleges. While attending school, he started to work as file clerk in the accounting department at L.A. Gear, just to get his foot in the door. While working there, he would stuff the suggestion box with shoes that he designed everyday for the next six months, before he finally received a phone call asking him if he would like to design.
During D’Wayne’s experience at L.A. Gear, he worked with the guy who designed the brands most recognizable and famous shoe; the Lite Bright. But even he was hired and fired five times by the company before he designed the shoe that the brand would millions on and become known for. Just goes to show what persistence can do for you.
D’Wayne had a friend by the name of Paul Wilkinson who in turn was friends with Drew Greer, an employee of Nike. As a favor, he shopped D’Wayne’s resume around to the right people at Nike, and ended up getting him some interviews. A few weeks later, D’Wayne received two offers from Nike, and has been with the company ever since.
One of the things that we pulled away from this interview was that our mission for the trip was too narrowly focused. D’Wayne made us realize that high school students need guidance too, and that lack of guidance in school is one of the most prevalent problems in schools today. So after visiting Nike, the trip now has a goal to reach out to high school students as well, and to challenge them to find their passion.
One question from the interview that we had for D’wayne was what is the most rewarding experience in your position?
“The most rewarding experience is seeing a shoe that I designed and seeing it outside of Nike on someone else’s foot or on the shelf of a shoe store. That, and being only one of six designers to EVER design an Air Jordan shoe. And working with Michael.”
Other Related Articles
« Previous: Making the Most of an Internship | Next: Doing What It Takes to Work in Sports »
THERE ARE 7 RESPONSES TO THIS INTERVIEW
Arash Says:
December 27th, 2006
Mr.Edwards, I have to say that you have a good taste in sketching shoes out. Way to go!, I just dropped by to really say keep up the good work ;), But if you dont mind, i would like to ask one question, would you happen to know when the jordan melo m4 shoes will be made, If you dont know then dont worry about it.
Thank you Mr.Edwards.
D’Wayne Says:
January 4th, 2007
Arash, thank you for the kind words and I appreciate your support. I am currently working on the M4 and it will be in store on 11/24/07.
D
Michelle Walcott Says:
January 10th, 2007
Hey D’Wayne,
You know I’m one of your biggest fans. I am so proud of you. You know teachers always complain about the school system requiring them to teach the “test” vs. teaching the “student”. If our educators spend their talents on the development of the individual, they would uncover hidden talents, gifts, and passions, that we all possess. It takes a very strong person, let alone a kid, to overcome preconcieved notions put upon them by society because they don’t come from a more affluent neighborhood. Its as if there is this blanket stamp that dictates “ALL KIDS FROM THIS SIDE OF THE TRACKS WILL HAVE TO BECOME A BEAUTICIAN OR ENLISTED PERSONNEL.” Little did your counselor know that you are one of many in your neighborhood with an aggressive,innovative, and entreprenurial spirit.
Arash Says:
January 11th, 2007
Thank you very much, and i wish you good luck on them.
D’Wayne Says:
January 14th, 2007
Thanks Michelle, one day I will have my own school and I can guide young minds like mine to greater things than what others expect from them.
Thanks again..
D
Arash Says:
January 15th, 2007
Hey Mr.Edwards, i just dropped by to say hello and keep up the good work. its never too late to encourage someone ;). I will stop by later.
Pursue the Passion: The Interviews » Blog Archive » Josiah Lake Says:
May 4th, 2007
[…] Previous: Jarrod Dillon | Next: D’Wayne Edwards […]
RESPOND TO THIS INTERVIEW