NIKE, Inc

Lead Designer, Footwear & Apparel Expression, Nike Basketball Signature Athlete

NIKE, Inc$90K — $120K *
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Design or related field; equivalent education/experience considered.
  • 5-6 years of experience in design or a related field.
  • Strong knowledge of design, art, fashion, and youth culture.
  • Ability to translate consumer insights into creative solutions.
  • Proficient in Photoshop and Illustrator.
  • Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and materials.
  • Strong presentation skills across various platforms (Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat).

Responsibilities

  • Create concepts and develop designs for color, materials, and graphics for basketball products.
  • Collaborate with a diverse project team including engineers, marketers, and sustainability experts.
  • Elevate new techniques and narratives to enhance product expressions.
  • Partner with stakeholders throughout the product creation process.
  • Aim for product excellence through innovative design and consumer insights.
  • Foster a collaborative design culture within the team.
  • Articulate design intent and strategic vision clearly.

Benefits

  • Collaborative team environment with diverse professionals.
  • Opportunity to influence industry-leading design in a global brand.
  • Access to resources for personal and professional development.
  • Engagement in projects that blend sport, style, and performance.
Full Job Description
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for an exceptional Lead Designer, Footwear and Apparel Expression (Color, Graphics, Materials), who can bring experience, creative problem-solving, and a clear point of view to help shape what's next for Nike Basketball.

Inspired by the signature athlete, you'll help define the visual expression of Nike Basketball across footwear and apparel-bringing together sport, style, and performance in a modern, meaningful way. This role requires broad exploration, thoughtful curation, and a clear creative point of view.

The ideal teammate is a visionary designer with exceptional taste, a refined aesthetic perspective, and a deep commitment to craft. They pursue elevated solutions with a sharp eye for detail, proportion, and storytelling, creating products that resonate with consumers on and off the court. With strong cultural awareness and an understanding of emerging trends, they will shape distinctive expressions that raise the bar for creativity, desirability, and aesthetic excellence.

  • Bachelor's degree in Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
  • At least 5-6 years in design or related field.
  • Exceptional knowledge of design, art, and fashion, as well as passion for sport and youth culture
  • Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into creative solutions and narratives.
  • Ability to articulate design intent and strategy
  • Strong Photoshop, Illustrator skills
  • Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
  • Must be able to generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project
  • Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
  • Contribute and align to shared team culture and behaviors
  • Motivated and hardworking about bringing others along
  • Collaborator with skill in connecting the dots
  • Speaks up with courage for self and the team
  • Open-minded, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view
  • Being a hooper is not a requirement but being passionate and curious to learn about basketball and the athlete* is.

*If you have a body, you are an athlete

**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, YOU MUST PROVIDE A DESIGN PORTFOLIO (UPLOAD A PDF OR PROVIDE A URL AND PASSWORD IF APPLICABLE)

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

As a Lead Designer in Expression (Color Materials and Graphics) you will be working hand in hand with a large project team of different professionals (engineers, researchers, scientists, marketing, testing, sustainability, materials, costing, etc.), and collaborate within the design community (concept, footwear, apparel designers. This role reports directly to the Senior Design Manager, Footwear and Apparel Expression.

WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON

Is that you? If so, you will be creating concepts and developments on a range of color, materials, graphic designs for the basketball signature athlete. You will work on elevating new techniques and narratives to influence new product expressions.

Your goal is to aim for product excellence by partnering with key stakeholders cross-functionally on the product creations process, and help bring the vision for the future of Nike Basketball products to life.

You will unleash creativity with a focus on industry leading design as well as leveraging consumer insights to inform our creative response. The daily responsibilities of this role are wide-ranging, ambitious, and dynamic.

About NIKE, Inc

Nike is a sporting goods company that designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products. The company offers various categories of shoes including running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired urban shoes, and kids' shoes. It also provides shoes for aquatic activities, baseball, football, cheerleading, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and various athletic and recreational uses. In addition, the company offers sports-inspired lifestyle apparel, athletic bags, and accessory items. Further, it provides a line of performance equipment including bags, socks, sports balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and various equipment designed for sports activities under the NIKE brand name, as well as markets apparel with licensed college and professional team and league logos. Additionally, it offers licenses to produce and sell NIKE brand swimwear, children's apparel, training equipment, eyewear, electronic devices, and golf accessories. The company also markets its products under the brand names of Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Umbro, Jack Purcell, Cole Haan, Bragano, and Hurley. It sells its products to retail accounts through stores, independent distributors, and licensees, as well as through its Website, nikestore.com. As of May 31, 2009, Nike, Inc. operated 338 retail stores in the United States and 336 retail stores internationally. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Nike Careers

Join the dynamic world of Nike, Inc., a global leader in sports apparel and innovation, where your career can flourish in an environment that fosters diversity, leadership, and growth. At Nike, we believe in bringing out the best in our team members through continuous professional development and a culture that celebrates creativity and innovation. Work You’ll Do Become a part of Nike’s mission to inspire and innovate towards a better world. Engage in work that intersects with cutting-edge technology, market-leading strategies, and sustainable practices that define the future of the sports industry. Lead with us at the forefront of the global marketplace, where your skills in leadership, teamwork, and innovation can shine. Nike offers a unique position in the industry, combining deep industry expertise with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals who are pioneers in their fields. Nike, Inc. employs over 75,000 passionate and talented individuals worldwide, all dedicated to moving the world of sports forward. Introducing Nike’s Professional Growth and Development Opportunities We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can succeed. Nike offers a variety of job opportunities, from in-store retail positions to corporate roles in design, marketing, and technology. Do Innovative Work Join us and contribute to our mission of bringing inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.) Deliver targeted solutions and drive innovation through your unique perspective and skills. At Nike, Inc., your work directly contributes to our global impact. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in meaningful work that connects with consumers and impacts millions worldwide. Our team benefits from unparalleled capabilities, a commitment to diversity training, and a culture that encourages professional growth and networking. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with Nike’s comprehensive benefits and support systems. We provide extensive training, development programs, and leadership courses to help you reach your full potential. Explore Discover how Nike is leading in sustainable innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sports industry. The Nike Employment Experience Our combined efforts in innovation, culture, and leadership make Nike, Inc. not just a place to work, but a place to grow a rewarding career. Clients and employees alike look to Nike for new strategies and impactful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for curious, driven, creative, and solution-oriented team players. SEARCH NIKE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Nike, Inc.
Learn more about NIKE, Inc
Size
73,300 employees
Market Cap
$184.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.8 billion
Founded
1964
5 Year Trend
+6.3%
Revenue
$38.2 billion
NASDAQ

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