The Nike Swoosh

image Was the Nike Swoosh (which is perhaps one of the most famous corporate logos in the world, second only to McDonald's golden arches) really designed by a graphic design student who got paid only $35 for it? It sounds like an urban legend playing off of Nike's use of cheap Asian sweatshop labor. But apparently the story is true. At least, the Nike website confirms it. The swoosh was designed in 1971 by design student Carolyn Davidson, and she did only receive $35 for it. However, in 1983 the company gave her a gift of stock as a token of their appreciation.

Business/Finance Urban Legends

Posted on Wed Apr 06, 2005


Comments

What most people don't know, is the fact that the Nike Swoosh design was actually stolen from the shape of the scar on the cheek (facial) of the original 12 inch GI JOE doll
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Tue Apr 05, 2005  at  11:35 PM
Hairy, you seem very upset by this...
Posted by Boo  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  02:50 AM


Saw it, and just had to post it...

Wow, 35 bucks. Then again, when it was designed, it never meant anything, really. Now it's a huge corporate identifier.
Posted by Rod  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  03:04 AM
It looks like a doodle.
Posted by Maegan  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  05:16 AM
$35.00!!!! For drawing a Check Mark....thats pretty good. At least they gave her something more later on.
Posted by X  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  07:59 AM
I bet it looks good on a resume. If I had designed it, I would paint it on my car. Probably the most recognized logo since the swastika.
Posted by booch  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  11:47 AM
This Nike Swoosh reninds me of the logo used by Heineken some years back... It looked like the path of a windshield wiper... Surely you remember the Heinie Wipe? No? hmmm... that explains a few things
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  05:05 PM
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