Who designed the Nike Swoosh logo?

Carolyn Davidson designed the Nike Swoosh logo.

Davidson created the mark in 1971 while studying graphic design at Portland State University. She met Phil Knight there while he taught accounting, and he hired her to make charts, posters, advertisements, and other freelance work for Blue Ribbon Sports, the company that later became Nike.

Knight asked Davidson to design a shoe “stripe” suggesting movement without resembling Adidas’s three stripes. She produced several ideas, and the company selected the curved mark now known as the Swoosh. Its winglike shape also connects visually with Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Knight reportedly was not immediately enthusiastic, but approved it because production deadlines were approaching. Davidson was paid $35 for the work.

The Swoosh became Nike’s official trademark in 1971, while the company adopted the Nike name in 1972. Davidson later received a diamond Swoosh ring and 500 shares of Nike stock. A common mix-up is crediting Knight or Tinker Hatfield: Knight commissioned the design, but Davidson created it; Hatfield later designed many Nike shoes.