Did Nike’s Swoosh Make the Brand Famous, or Is It the Other Way Around?

The story behind the world-famous logo, and the freelance designer behind it

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As arguably the most talented player in college basketball, Zion Williamson is used to making headlines—just not the kind he made last month. On Feb. 21, as the Duke forward played in the first minute of the North Carolina game, a sudden “pop” brought Williamson to the floor, clutching his knee in agony.

“The world stopped turning on its axis briefly on Wednesday night,” Sports Illustrated reported, “when Duke star Zion Williamson’s shoe exploded.”

Phil Knight’s new company, Nike, needed a logo fast.
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This story first appeared in the March 18, 2019, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.