In early 2004, Zenith Chance came on to KicksGuide with a dream and a pen. The renderings Zen submitted changed the landscape of the contest as his designs inspired new ideas and challenged those around him to be better as well. Two years later, we finally caught up to Zen and got the story in his own words:

      I don’t know where to start... so lets start at the beginning and talk about my path of footwear love and career... cheesy already?? Chea... So I studied Industrial Design over at Humber College in Ontario Canada. The program was ok... I can’t give it any serious props to my disappointment... I found that the only people who got a lot out of the program were the people who put in a lot of effort. My experience in college was an odd one. After the very first semester during reviews, I had a teacher pull me over and said to me “ I don’t think Industrial Design is truly your calling... perhaps you should look into the graphic design programs we provide” . I was pretty upset with the feedback that I received and was determined to show to the teachers that I can exceed their expectations of me. It was easy for me to work hard since I did not have much of a social life in College, and as I worked more the faster I learned my strengths, weaknesses and enjoyment in design. By second year, my style and confidence started to grow and I was confident I would succeed.

      I first got my taste of footwear design when I was over in New York one day... I was slowly realizing that becoming an automotive designer, my first love, would be very difficult. I would need to start to focus on a path before I finish school with no vision. I was walking past Training camp and I saw these super shiny yellow basketball shoes. As soon as I saw it I thought of a Ducati Motorcycle. I went in to check out what it was and I left with a pair of Yellow HyperFlights and a whole lot of inspiration. I realized that if footwear design can incorporate automotive design into its language, perhaps there is hope for me yet! I always had a slight interest in footwear, but not every person is willing to spend a few hundred dollars on shoes that will sit on a shelf. What enticed me even more was that not only did footwear take inspiration from automotive design, but it takes from fashion, trends, products, and the athletes that wear them. There are not many products out there that incorporate textile and hard surface design. If anything, this was a path to a life where I would have an excuse for being materialistic.

      Later on in school, I had the opportunity to have co-op placements at PowerLine 6 over at Hermosa Beach ... one of the most amazing teams of people working in the most amazing parts of the world. It was amazing to be in a workplace where the people would understand your love for footwear, where they would be willing to share and help then share a beer after work. My time at Powerline 6 was one of the most positive experiences in my life. While I was there, I got to visit Art Center and met tons of people and totally fried my brain with inspiration and excitement what design can do.

      In my last year of Humber College, I chose to produce a thesis project on a basketball shoe with modular components... sounds like a true student thesis project doesn’t it? I worked hard on the project and in my opinion, the results proved it. Since second year, I worked at a Canadian based running store called the Running Room. There I learned SOOO much on bio-mechanics, customers, and the construction of shoes. I more or less tried on every style of running shoe for a couple of years, broke down the technologies and properties of each one... and realized... I can do this. Running Room was another integral part of my journey into the life of footwear design.

      Not too shortly after I graduated, I was in contact with people from a Canadian based footwear company called Bata shoes and within them a sports brand called Power shoes. I had a short term employment where I learned about the life of gritty work. I learned the good, the bad and the ugly... the politics, work managements... teamwork... It was a truly eye opening experience. Like all work, I started with 6 month probation. However, when it ended I was not re-signed. As I was being “released”, I realized that I wasn’t sure if I was honestly ready for work quite yet. As I worked, I regretted not doing MANY things... I felt like I had things I had to get out of my system before I started the life of work. I took the opportunity to take the following time off to enjoy life to the fullest. For the next few years I worked at the Running Room, trained people for 10k road races, played basketball and drew. With the Grace of God I was inspired to work harder and achieve more.

      At this point in my life, I had the opportunity to join NikeTalk. I saw some small bursts of design talent on the site and thought of starting up special posts where we would post up designs. So the DRC was born.. And I’m super proud of it ... * even though I wasn’t even able to participate in my last one... sorry y’all*. And of course then came KicksGuide. I will say right now that KicksGuide has been the backbone of my path towards a life of footwear design. I made it a point to work every month on a new design and build a portfolio and just keep my design skills sharp... April 05' rolled around and I believe that’s when the big Tmac4 comp came around. At the same time, my Church started a fast on that month and I participated. I figured with the new free time created by the fast, I would dedicate my mind to designing the TMacs ... as my... form... of worship... ehhh... Not terribly Holy... I know... but stay with me. I created more or less 2-3 final designs each with its own methodology during this entire time. I took this time to show many of my contacts my work and asked for their opinion and changed my design accordingly... And it paid off. When I was done with my final design, I was so confident with my work ... until I saw the competition. There were designers that I have never see, programs that I have never seen on shoes and just straight up serious competition. It was amazing. Unfortunately I lost to many talented designers such as Ryan Holler, however I was proud of my work and I had a lot of positive feedback. This gave me hope... a SHIMMER of light... that perhaps my journey to a job of footwear design would soon be over. A month later, I was asked if I would want to visit Portland Oregon and meet the Adidas Design team. So back to the Church fast... Since I was designing the shoe as form of worship * I consider using the talents you are blessed with in the honor to God a form of worship* and such a HUGE opportunity came knocking on my door. It’s only fair to say at this point, Thank you for these Blessing, God. <- testimony!

      So as I was arranging my stay with the people at Adidas, I asked if I could have an extended stay in Portland and I would pay for the extra expenses. Knowing that Oregon is a hotbed of footwear Design, I was ready to do some damage. I set up a few ahead of time notifying some of my contacts and was excited to thank these people face to face. The night I arrived, I gentleman called Ryan Holler gave my hotel room a call before I even unzipped my travel bags. Sometimes u meet a person and right away you know you mesh very well?... That’s Ryan... heart of Gold, long ass hair.... good dood. That night we went searching for a 7 Eleven to buy me some food... I was hungry. We arrived at the doorstep of Adidas the next day and it was amazing. The design team was super welcoming nice, talented and dangerous ball players. As Ryan and I got a tour around the Adidas building, we snuck unto rooms and peeked around corners to find sample Tmac 4s * that was HUGE back then... Ryan and I giggled like girls when we saw a glimpse of it*. The problem was that Ryan only stayed for a day or so where as I stayed for a week... and I must say, it was such a HUGEEEEEEEEE gain. I got to play basketball with the design team, I got to hang with some Amazing designers and see how they work on a normal day. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to show off my portfolio to the Adidas Footwear Design Director, James Carnes. He liked my work and suggested that I visit and Running team in Germany. I said “ok”. At the same time when I was in Oregon, I had the opportunity to visit the Nike campus. I cant even express how crazy it – just plain nuts. When I arrived, I met Jason Petrie and we had lunch, talking about shoes and design. Its great to put a face to the people you always interact with online. Jason never failed to give me helpful words in terms of design.

      A month later, I was flown over to German to visit the Adidas headquarters. I had an interview with the Adidas running design team, and I was excited to show them what I had. As soon as I arrived, I was hungry so again I did a super late night food run... unfortunately all I found in downtown ... Nurnberg... were prostitutes... Yikes get me out of here. The following day, I arrived at Adidas Germany and was eager to show off my work. I drew a few concept shoes for them as an exercise and it was very fun. Unfortunately I was not accepted on the Running Design team because my work was too basketball... and I understand... I realized I had to diversify my styles. Thank you Adidas for the opportunities presented. Not too shortly coming home from Germany I got an email from France from another KG-er... Pepijn Martens. He was representing a company called Decathlon and was wondering if I was interested in traveling to France for a quick interview.

      When I arrived in France and didn’t know what to expect. I would be visiting people that don’t speak English in a company that I never heard of and I had absolutely NO idea what to expect... When I arrived at the train station, there was a tall Dutch man in a Bright Orange jacket waiting for me at the train station with a big goofy grin and a interesting accent... Since I was not terribly tired, I was taken through the small town of Lille to the Decathlon campus. Decathlon is more or less a super sports company that sells more or less anything and everything fitness related at a lower price. I explain it to my friends, it’s the “ H&M of sports”. I was given a quick tour and to my surprise, behind the Decathlon campus doors, waiting for me were MORE KG designers such as Tom Rushbrook and Saul Maret. I think I am doing pretty well meeting up with a large handful of contestants in KG...So on first impressions, speaking the truth, I wasn’t sure if Decathlon was the place for me. I saw products, design styles and directions that I wasn’t sure fit what I had in mind... As I was having dinner and conversed with Pepijn, the brand design manager of the team sports division, Kipsta I realized that we were very similar and that we had similar visions. It turns out that Decathlon is a major sporting competitor in Europe and growing internationally. They are apparently one of the biggest sporting companies in the world... dang... I thought this is worth a try and if anything I will be guaranteed adventures in Europe... * and I do have my fair share of stupid adventures already*. I was offered job and I seized the opportunity. So now that I have worked for a quite a few months now here at Decathlon, France, I will give you my honest and true opinion of Decathlon and a footwear design job in general. It is amazing. I love so much. Everyday I am learning more about shoes, processes and building on my skills. I was given the opportunity to design the Fall/ winter 06 products and I love it. My babies will be on the shelves soon and I will REALLY see if I am a good designer. As I push the design and engineering team, they push me and in the end, we win as a team. My design team is very international and cool and helpful. It is clear that I am happy where I have landed. As soon as I am allowed to post some of my work, be sure that you guys will see what I have been working on.

      Thank you to all those who helped me out. Everyone who ever crit. my work or said a word of encouragement, thank you. Thank you NikeTalk, thank you KicksGuide.I wake up in the morning to create shoes, at lunch I use my shoes, and at night I think of shoes ...All Day I Dream About Shoes. Im living a dream. What a Blessing, Praise the Lord.

      - Zen