The world-famous Nike logo, known as the Nike Swoosh, has an interesting origin story. It was created by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at Portland State University, in 1971. What makes this story even more intriguing is the fact that Carolyn’s accounting instructor at the university was Phil Knight, one of the co-founders of Nike.
Taking inspiration from the wing of the Greek goddess of victory, Carolyn spent 17.5 hours designing the Nike Swoosh logo. Remarkably, she was only paid $35 for her work at the time.
The Nike logo has achieved iconic status for several reasons. Its simplicity and clean design make it instantly recognizable and memorable. Additionally, the logo’s association with legendary athletes such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods has played a significant role in its widespread recognition. Nike’s prominent presence in elite-level sports like soccer and athletics further solidifies its image as a symbol of excellence, determination, and top-quality products. As a result, the Nike logo has become one of the most universally recognized and iconic logos worldwide.