The intriguing tale behind Nike’s iconic ‘Swoosh’ logo has left many relieved by its ‘happy ending’. Nike, founded on 25 January 1964, is globally recognised, partly due to its famous logo. You might assume this emblem was crafted after countless sketches from top designers, but the reality is quite different.
In an episode of The David Rubenstein Show, co-founder Phil Knight shared that they sought the help of a ‘graphic art student at Portland State’ to design the logo. Knight and co-founder Bill Bowerman offered the student $2 an hour to work on the designs.
The student dedicated ’17-and-a-half hours’ to sketching, eventually presenting what is now the iconic ‘Swoosh’ logo. Initially, Knight admitted he wasn’t fond of the design, telling the student, “Well, I don’t love it, but maybe it will grow on me.”
Nike paid a student $35 for the original “Swoosh” logo which later turned into over $1 million pic.twitter.com/HSJvvmSGCS
— Techuncode (@techuncode) September 17, 2024
The logo certainly did grow on him and the world. Nike has become the leading sports goods manufacturer, distributor, and marketer, valued at $131.36 billion according to Forbes. Reflecting on this, it’s hard to ignore that the student was paid a mere $35 for her efforts. This has sparked reactions from many.
One Twitter user remarked, “‘Corporations’ have been ripping off artists for millennia.” Another added, “Imagine, the swoosh that sprinted to fame was sketched for less than a tank of gas—that designer definitely sprinted past the finish line of value!” A third simply commented, “Crazy.” Another user noted, “Another example of the little guy getting f**ked over by the bigger guy.”
However, the student, Carolyn Davidson, wasn’t left empty-handed. When Nike went public, Davidson received ‘500 shares of stock’ in 1983, and a call from early hire Bob Woodell inviting her to lunch. This lunch turned into a surprise celebration at Nike’s Washington County office, where Davidson was given a framed certificate signed by Woodell and Knight, a gold ring shaped like the ‘Swoosh’ with a diamond, and her shares of stock.
Knight mentioned, “She has not sold a single share. And it’s worth over $1 million now.” A Twitter user concluded, “I love a happy ending.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- Logodesignvalley highlights the Nike logo’s simplicity, memorability, and association with victory, emphasizing its evolution from 1971 to the present, including key design elements and branding strategies. (Read more)
- Crowdspring highlights the Nike Swoosh logo’s simplicity, versatility, and emotional impact, emphasizing its universal recognition and association with athletic excellence and motivation. (Read more)
- LogoNow highlights Carolyn Davidson’s journey designing Nike’s iconic Swoosh, from humble beginnings to recognition, emphasizing simplicity, patience, and the power of unique design in creating timeless logos. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who designed the Nike Swoosh logo?
Carolyn Davidson, a graphic art student at Portland State.
How much was Carolyn Davidson paid for designing the Nike logo?
She was paid $35 for 17.5 hours of work.
Did Carolyn Davidson receive anything besides the initial payment for the Nike logo?
Yes, she received 500 shares of stock, a framed certificate, and a gold ring.
How much are Carolyn Davidson’s Nike shares worth now?
What was Phil Knight’s initial reaction to the Swoosh logo?
He said, ‘Well, I don’t love it, but maybe it will grow on me.’
