The creation of the Nike logo was instigated by company founder Phil Knight while managing the affairs of his then fledgling Blue Ribbon Sports, Inc. He was supplementing his modest income as an accounting teacher at Portland State University in 1971. There he met a graphic design student named Carolyn Davidson, and offered her a job doing small freelance design tasks at his company, and the resulting logo we know today was done for a mere $35, though she was later generously rewarded with Nike stock.
The highly distinctive Nike logo, known as the Swoosh, is meant to exemplify the qualities of Simple, Fluid and Fast, and has successfully grown to meet those criteria as one of the most influential and highly recognized logos throughout the sports world. From athletic shoes to clothing and accessories, Nike mightily rules the sportswear industry by making a strong and obviously lasting impression on the market through its powerful logo and brand. The Swoosh symbolizes the wing on the statue of the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, who represents the spirit and motivation behind history’s most distinguished and daring warriors.
