article_title name residence
carolyn davidson
 carolyn davidson portland , oregon
carolyn davidson

carolyn davidson is a graphic designer best known for designing the nike `` swoosh '' logo .
davidson designed the swoosh in 1971 while a graphic design student at portland state university in portland , oregon .
phil knight , who was teaching an accounting class at the university , noticed davidson working on an assignment , and asked her to do some work for what was then blue ribbon sports , inc. .
needing to choose a logo in order to meet looming production deadlines , knight settled on the swoosh , after rejecting various other designs .
at the time , he stated of the logo , `` i do n't love it , but it will grow on me . ''
for her services , the company paid her $ 35 .
davidson continued working for blue ribbon sports -lrb- it officially became nike , inc. in 1971 -rrb- , until the design demands of the growing company were beyond one person 's capacity .
in 1976 , the company hired its first external advertising agency , john brown and partners , and davidson went on to work on other clients ' needs .
in september 1983 , nearly three years after the company went public , knight invited davidson to a company lunch .
there , he presented her with a diamond ring engraved with the swoosh , and an envelope filled with an undisclosed amount of nike stock .
of the gift , davidson says , `` this was something rather special for phil to do , because i originally billed him and he paid that invoice . ''
davidson retired in 2000 , and now engages in hobbies and volunteer work , including weekly duties at the ronald mcdonald house at legacy emanuel hospital & health center in oregon .
