Nike

Nike is a weird one for me. In my twenty years in Portland, I’ve seen people build fortunes working for The Swoosh and lose it all when something went a little haywire. I’ve only been out to the big campus a couple of times, and it was always a treat. They make world-class stuff, with a dedication to technology, progression and whatever else some Nike lemming in a first-class seat is jamming into some big, bloated deck on their laptop.

I got a little taste of it. Both the good and the weird. And just enough to know the culture and the pressure wasn’t for me. Sure, it’s the big time, but I’d guess I’d rather just try my luck in the little leagues. Less heartbreak down here in the muck.

I will say, when you work on any Nike stuff and when it finally comes out? It’s EXHILARATING because it comes out all over the world in this weird, calculated explosion.

When I did some pinch-hitting for Nemo Design and was able to nail the Air Max 360 logo, I was able to see it in Munich, London, New York and Portland over the course of a couple weeks. It was everywhere. And that was amazing. And yet, every single project I’ve ever worked on for Nike? You just know you aren’t making enough. Always let them throw out the price. I’ve shot myself in the foot too many times with pricing stuff for The Swoosh. That shit’s too weird for me.

Nike Air Max 360

This job came to me from buddies at Nemo Design. Nike didn’t call me for this one. Nemo pulled me into the 24th hour of the project, and I was able to nail a logo Nike signed off on. Full disclosure. Thank you, Chris, Nick and Trevor from Nemo Design for giving me a shot, and so many shots. This was a fun one that exploded in every shoe store the world over.

Project Details:
01. Identity for an up-and-coming shoe brand in Beaverton.
02. As directed by the crew at Nemo Design, by way of meetings about meetings in a small office complex just off SWMurray Boulevard, over the hill and to the west.
03. 2009.