A TEACHER, A DESIGNER, AN ILLUSTRATOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER; a storyteller.
After graduating from Rhode Island School Design in 2004 I became an art teacher at the high school level while also coaching soccer, football, and perhaps most proudly, chess.
Teaching young people how to access their own creativity was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life but I had my own work I wanted to be creating for the world.
I started designing for a local company that allowed me to work remotely and I moved to Portland, Oregon. It was in Portland that I was first introduced to the footwear industry through Li Ning and Dwyane Wade. Designing for Wade’s signature line was the most fun I’ve ever had as a designer but when Adidas came calling I felt compelled to move on from Li Ning and experience something new.
With Adidas I was exposed to a much broader range of footwear and have worked in both the Portland the “Herzo” offices. I worked on technical basketball projects like the Crazy Light, story based icons like Damian Lillard and Derrick Rose, technical running with Adizero, hybrid products like Alpha Bounce, and most recently was given the keys to the coveted Ultraboost range.
More than a sneaker designer though, my creative outlets include photography, illustration, and fine art; all of which bring me immense satisfaction.
At the end of the day I am a story teller on the constant lookout for different mediums in which to convey the most compelling and gripping stories I can. Sneakers has been a fun challenge but I’m always looking for what comes next.