NSW (Nike SportsWear) Lead Color Designer from 2003 to 2008. Worked on Indie, which was a category with a focus on product for Asia Pacific (APLA), Neighborhood distribution or sneaker boutiques, and product for collectors, this included Icons, Pinnacle, Quickstrike, Tier Zero, NRG product, and collaborations. Most of the earlier work I did consisted of heavy color blockings. I remember being asked to do no less than 8 colors per style. And then by the end of my time with the team, we had swung back to team colors and original blockings or clean tonal, monochromatic colorways, and whenever possible, better materials with an emphasis on “wearability.” Highlights include: Footpatrol x Footscape Woven collaboration, Liberty x Nike, first generation Nike Considered, Beautiful Losers x Nike Blazer. Harris Tweed x Nike AF1 and the first Nike power wall - Decades of Air
At Converse, Inc. I was a Product Designer 2. I worked with both the Energy team and the Chuck Taylor team and on all the Product Red collaborations.
Some highlights include: Damien Hirst x Converse. Damien Hirst had given Product Red the use of a piece titled I Love You, which is butterflies and household gloss on canvas. I wanted the print executed onto the Chuck Taylor while staying as true to the original artwork as possible. The solution was to develop a photo-real print. Another Product Red design was the all-over heart repeat. I also created the design for what became the Ace Hotel collaboration. Inspired by The Preppy Handbook and a bit of Take Ivy, this was meant to be a unisex utilitarian classic sneaker, but with a slight, weatherized boot look. There were also women’s specific projects, a Chelsea Chuck, and a mule using Nike Phylon foam for a lightweight travel shoe.
While at Adidas, I worked on color and material design, plus the design for a vulcanized Rod Laver and the 2nd generation Missy Elliot collaboration. For the Rod Laver I kept it as close to the original as possible. For the Missy shoe, I was asked to make it customizable, keep the large trefoil on the heel, and the jagged, 3 stripe vulcanized tape. And then below that is an example of 3 different colors and material collections for 3 different retailers/consumers.
In addition to Adidas some of the other freelance or contract positions I’ve had were with Cole Haan, Common Ground, Reebok, Cinco Design and Nike ID. My responsibilities varied, from color and material executions, setting seasonal color direction, building color palettes, advising on color and material, creating consumer profiles and product design.
At Sorel, I was the Color and Materials Designer for Men’s, Women’s, and Kid’s footwear. Sorel is known for their winter product, but the brand has also had success with sneakers and sandals, and the materials had to be as versatile as the product. Each season starts with a narrative, followed by an updated color palette, a leather and textile toolbox, plus new trims and hardware that will help support design and tell a cohesive story. On average, there would be 5 different color and material collections per style. I would work closely with product design to ensure the design vision and materials aligned, and with my merchandising partners to ensure color was consumer relevant and appropriate for Sorel distribution. I frequently met with vendors, attended material shows, and worked with development to customize materials.
As a Senior Color Designer, I worked on Kids, Womens and Mens footwear product, daily responsibilities included creating relevant Jordan narratives for each season, aligning with the apparel team, understanding the consumer range from pinnacle to core, creating color palettes, executing on all color CADs, merchandising, establishing blocking strategies, and presenting work to leadership. In addition to the tried and true team color ways, I brought new neutrals to the men's team, like the Spizike in cavestone, had a successful Jordan 1 low with a reverse blocking in anthracite and jade smoke, a Jordan 1 low inspired by the Tokyo Bio Hack Jordan 1 High from 2020. My first project with Nike Jordan was a collection inspired by MJ's mom, called the Deloris pack. I created a floral print for linings, overlays, laces, and the swoosh. The Deloris print was even modified and used on Jordan apparel for kids. And finally, the women's Georgia Peach Jordan 3 - sometimes a good name, and keeping the color simple is all you need.
