Meet Jaden Zhai | Footwear Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaden Zhai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaden, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I think most people are unaware of is how small this community is. The footwear industry is a very small circle of creatives who share the same passion. You’d be surprised how many designers know each other or have worked together at some point. So be kind to everyone and leave a great impression!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been passionate about sneakers and drawing as a kid. I loved doodling in my notebook and making things with my hands. When I got older, I decided to pursue Industrial Design as a career path because it allowed me to use my artistic skills to create functional products. I think my Industrial Design background trained me to think about the user first when it comes to my designs. I tend to focus more on helping to solve a problem or a pain point first, and then figure out how to make the solution beautiful. I want to say that everyone’s journey will be different but for me, it wasn’t the easiest ride. Due to the footwear industry being so small, there is a LOT of competition. Also, being from Canada, I fought an uphill battle because there is also the challenge of obtaining a work visa sponsorship for jobs in the US. I got to where I am today because I was persistent and I didn’t let rejections discourage me. I think as long as you keep that passion alive, it will show in your design work, and the right people will see it. Opportunities are always out there, but you have to be prepared when it’s your turn to prove your worth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting me in Boston, I would probably take them to downtown and explore all the little pubs the city has to offer. I would also take them down to Cape Cod to enjoy the beautiful beaches and seafood. I recently just moved to the city myself so I haven’t had the chance to explore that much. In my opinion, the most interesting places are the unknown shops/restaurants that you randomly stumble into while walking around. You never know what you’ll find or who you’ll meet in these places.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out Dr. D’Wayne Edwards and Pensole for kickstarting my footwear design career. D’Wayne was one of the pioneers of the industry who worked with athletes such as Michael Jordan and Carmelo Anthony, and he’s also founded Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. D’Wayne was a great mentor to me, as well as hundreds of talented footwear designers in the industry today.

Website: https://jadenzhai.com/

Instagram: @jdn_szn

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadenzhai?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app