Check out the interview excerpt with Jason Mayden.

In his previous role at Nike, Jason Mayden oversaw the design of conceptual products and services for Jordan Brand, as the Senior Global Design Director. Prior to rejoining Jordan Brand, he was the Global Director of Innovation for Nike Digital Sport where he was responsible for the creation and investigation of new technologies and services. While in Digital Sport, he was tasked with crafting a product strategy focused on expanding the impact and relevancy of the Nike+ platform, through the creation of products such as the Nike Fuel Band. Additionally, Mayden served as the co-Chair of Nike’s Black Employee Network from 2011 -2013.

As a native of the south side of Chicago, Jason has a passion to serve his community through design workshops with Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, mentoring young minority males through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and participating on the Jordan Fundamentals grant selection panel.  In addition to community service, he also sits on the board of his alma mater, College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI, where he received his BFA in Industrial Design.

Fueled by an insatiable desire to learn, Jason entered Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in 2010 as a Sloan Fellow where he received a Master’s degree in Science with a concentration in General Management, and a certificate in Social Innovation.  Mayden is also a frequent lecturer at Stanford University’s prestigious Graduate School of Business. In May of 2013,  he was presented with the distinguished honor of being asked to serve as an Advisory Board member to the  “d.School” at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University.

In his own words Mayden states, “I have had a tremendously blessed career thus far but nothing can compare to the joy and responsibility of being a Father, Husband and a friend to my wife, Sonny, and my children, Khalil age 9 and Viviana age 6. They are the reason why I aspire to dream beyond the confines of what the world may deem possible for a little boy from the South Side of Chicago. They are the reason that I have decided to begin the next chapter of my career without fear. “

Jason is currently VP of Design at Mark One.

CP3.IV Concepts: Each concept design focused on three key areas, heel lock-down, forefoot stability and mid-foot ventilation. Moreover, we wanted to create a visual language that referenced the Gundam aesthetic as a way of paying homage to the inspiration that would ultimately birth a revolution in foam based performance basketball footwear.

Every detail was considered. The lace tips, the angles of the ventilation windows, the hidden chevron shape detail on the heel and the circular heel logo treatment are all intended to give CP the confidence, the performance capabilities and the stylistic flavor to perform at the games highest levels.

For the out-sole, we focused on designing a superior multi-directional traction pattern, enhancing propulsion through the responsive PODULON mid-sole technology and providing a smooth heel-to-toe transition. Additionally, we gave a nod to CP’s love for bowling by creating a unique way to highlight the sizing on the out-sole of each shoe. We also added additional protection in the mid-foot to prevent CP from landing on the foot of an opposing player and rolling his ankle.

CP3.IV Graphic System

CP3.IV Final Lockup

During this project I was able to merge my love for Japanese Animation, Basketball and storytelling to create the brand’s first “Mecha”. This character would become the muse for the OOH creative direction and our over all campaign efforts.

CP3.IV Final Mecha Schematic

CP3.IB Mecha Model

CP3.IV Final Product

CP3.IV OOH Creative