When Brook Banham was in art school, he wanted students to have the same chance to compete as athletes at other schools. He wanted the rallies and the merch. 

He started Sketchbattle in 2012 to give automotive designers some of that experience. But the competition, first held in underground spaces during the Auto Show, had a grungier feel and came to be known as the ‘Fight Club of Design.’

Banham says Sketchbattle has become one of the places automakers look for designers. 

And now, he wants to do that with sneakers.

“The first sexiest thing in industrial design is car design, I think.” Banham says. “The second is shoe design… I wanna own the two industries.”

On September 19th, Sketchbattle will host its first sneaker design battle. The event is being produced in collaboration with the Pensole Lewis College of Design.

Pensole is a shoe design-focused school and the only Historically Black College in the state.  Its founder, Dwayne Edwards, has a long history in shoe design and design education.

Banham says when he reached out to design colleagues about doing a sneaker battle, everyone said Dr. Edwards was the person he needed to get on board.

“He was like ‘yes, absolutely. Let’s get these kids hired!'”

Applications for the Sneaker battle close September 10th. Applicants have to submit 3 designs: 1 each for Nike, Air Jordan and Converse. 

Banham says there are lots of prizes for designers who do well in the battle, including custom-designed sneakers and cash prizes. But, he says, the event is really about making connections and getting jobs.