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design work enjoyed by a good proportion of the BMX scene; Jon also has a good business head on his shoulders, so we can only expect bigger and better things from the man who can... Read on to discover more about Jon

1) Who is “Jon Edwards”?
A 26 year old Graphic Designer from rural North Wales, currently living in the small Shropshire town of Oswestry. I’m the Art Director/Designer over at Proper Bikes, I’ve worked for Dig Magazine as a staff artist, freelance for various well known brands and I also work fulltime for the NHS as a medical Media Designer. Always busy.

2) What’s your first memory of BMX?
My first memory of BMX was going to a school friends trails and seeing him actually land stuff… This must have been mid 1997; Up until then I'd never seen anyone else ride BMX. People take media for granted these days.

3) Does being a part of the BMX industry enhance your appreciation for riding or have the reverse effect? - Does it ever feel like your overloading on BMX?
That’s an interesting question... I think it does enhance my appreciation and even more so towards those in the industry that try and steer it in the right direction and not just toward money and sponsorship. I guess from time to time I feel like I’m overloading myself by sitting at a computer all day and designing BMX related items and then just wanting to go out and ride again after that… But I wouldn't change it. I guess the reverse effect is seeing and hearing further about the industry, corporate sell outs, and hypocrites. I've seen people I've admired for years sell their soul to the wrong companies and go against what they always spoke of... I wouldn't work for anyone who wasn't rider owned, putting something back into BMX and that I personally trusted. (But then maybe I just “like all types of bikes”?)

4) What's up with "Naive"?
Naive is my creative outlet. It’s currently everything from Art Direction for Brands, to illustration, film, motion and print. www.naive-design.co.uk / naivelabel.blogspot.com It’s also moving toward being a separate brand and having a group of riders involved, info at: http://www.myspace.com/naivebrand. (If only i had more free time and distro backing)

5) What's your current bike set-up?
My current set-up is: Proper TTL 2010 Frame 21" in Matt Raw / BSD Ghetto Fork / Proper TTL Bars / BSD Toploader / Proper Wheel Set / Fly Ruben Tyres / Eclat Cranks & PC Pedals / Team Grips / Odyssey Vermont Sprocket / KMC 510 HT chain (swear by those) It’s long, low (but not stupid) and light. Soon to be black plum again...

6) What’s the best location you have ever ridden?
 I couldn't pick just one location, So here’s a few... 1) Soft banks – Local spot, never gets old. 2) Anthem Vegas – With Proper at Interbike 08 3) Chertsey – Amazing trails 4) Unit 23 bowl – Good scene, bowls fast 5) Boneyard – Local for years, cant turn your back on that

7) Are you into competing?
No, not at all… I mean, I used to… up until about 18, back then I think it was a lot different, it was purely fun and everyone got behind each other. The nearest thing to competing these days I guess is a Boneyard jam as it’s my local indoor park which would hold such an event. I also went to a “Unit23” jam, which was like a blast from the past attitude wise, no jocks, everyone got along and Grant and Gogo made the whole event amazing! People need to realize BMX is a creative outlet… Not a career path!

8) Who are your favourite riders?
I guess there will always be: Taj, Joe Rich, John Dye, Gerry Galley, Stricker, Yeagle & Bennett… … And then of-late: Hawk, Cleveland, Dehart, Miller, Mastroni, Randy Brown, Shortall, Hucke, Patrick King, Alex Kennedy, Kevin Kiraly, Dave Thompson, Dak, Zunda, Dan Paley and Matt Roe… Anyone I guess you can watch, enjoy and take a little from.

9) What was the last tune on your “I-pod”?
Current favs are: 1) Mewithoutyou 2) Dead Swans 3) Paint It Black 4) Radio Dept 5) This will Destroy you 6) Ghost of the Russian Empire 7) Russian Circles

10) Fav BMX website?
1) Defgrip 2) Properbikeco 3) Img distribution 4) The come up 5) Dig bmx

11) What one trick, line or stunt has been your biggest nemesis to date?
Down hop whips, it’s the only kind of whip I want to do but I’m working on it.

12) If a new political order, took over the world tomorrow, and rid the planet of BMX bikes what do you think you would be doing instead?
Skating for sure!

13) Have you ever been into any other types of bikes?
No, when I was about 14 I had a mountain bike because some friends did but I never liked it and from day one after already riding BMX I realised it was like a watered down, glamourised version! Wasn’t for me! The same goes for MX!

14) What is your favourite UK brand (not necessarily BMX) and what do you think makes them work?
That’s a tuff question! I like so many brands from a marketing/design point of view… I guess Suburban Bliss for a small brand, they market themselves very well and cross skating and fashion, which means it’s sold in the likes of Urban Outfitters, Flatspot, Urban Industry as well as regular skate stores.

15) Any final words, shout-outs, etc.
Yeah, thanks to my parents, and friends for putting up with me. Everyone at Proper and IMG Distro, Grant Smith at BSD and Will, Ricky and Brian at Dig Mag. Cheers, Chris at Valleyside.

(Intro & Questioning by CWS) (Photos by Stefan Thomas & other assorted friends)