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Welcome to Custom Corner, a new feature on Nice Kicks that highlights the work and portfolios of some of the game?s best customizers while giving them a platform to tell their own stories. Artists that use sneakers as a canvas will touch on their creative process and career goals while offering advice for newcomers.
Meet Tyler Way. A Brighton, MI native and Grand Valley State graduate, T. Way has been building his brand for years through hard work and smart networking. From a sharpie in a dorm room to designing for the NBA?s elite, get the scoop on how T. Way took his concept of freehand painted sneakers to new heights.
What got you into sneakers?
T. Way: Growing up, I was always playing basketball. Naturally, the two worlds of basketball and sneakers go hand-in-hand. Luckily, I?ve since been able to add my third passion of art into that mix.
How did you get started making customs?
T. Way: I was a poor college freshman, and shoes were freakin? expensive. I had to get creative in order to have both sneakers and an education.
Which creation is your personal favorite?
T. Way: My favorite pair is the 2009 MVP shoes for LeBron James because of the experience that came with them. I drove down from Grand Rapids, MI, to Akron, OH, for the MVP press conference at St. Vincent-St. Mary?s High School. I was able to witness the day?s events from just off stage, next to LeBron?s Cavalier teammates. Afterwards, I spent a few moments with LeBron and shared the inspirations behind the design with him. He loved the shoes and could not have been a nicer guy. He set the shoes on stage next to his newly acquired MVP trophy and moved on to the next one. It was a day that I?ll share with my kids one day.
Who have you done work for?
T. Way: Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton (6 pair), Worldwide Wes (4 pair), LeBron James, Chris Paul charity auction, Crons Athletic Co., Humane Society of West Michigan charity event (13 pair), and Merrell.
Are your designs meant to be wearable or used as a display piece?
T. Way: As an artist, I?d prefer them to be displayed in the custom-built display case they come with. Most of the time, clients do display them as a work of art in their homes, offices, and trophy cases. However, they are customized through a process that enables them to be worn without chipping, cracking, or peeling under normal wear conditions.
What?s your general design process?
T. Way: Generally, the design process starts with identifying a problem and then brainstorming a creative solution to solve it.
In terms of the shoe projects, after the client provides the shoes and a general overview of their thoughts, I usually mentally layout the design and then go to work on the shoe. The entire process is done freehand (without templates, stencils, tape, etc.) using specialty leather paints and a variety of brushes, most of them being as small as possible to get all the details. I tend to let the artwork evolve as it?s being created, while always keeping the ?bigger picture? in mind.
How much time does a project typically take?
T. Way: Time per project varies on the amount of details and colors. Basic projects may range from 5-10 hours while the more detailed designs may require up to 40 hours.
Where do you take inspiration from?
T. Way: Inspiration is drawn from a variety of different areas and mediums that are unique to each project. It generally depends on who the project is for, its purpose, and use. When all else fails, I?m mildly obsessed with notebooks; each one of them is full of ideas waiting to be used.
