NIKE, Inc

Lead Designer, Streetwear Icons Footwear Color Design, Global Jordan

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Design or related field; equivalent experience considered
  • 5+ years of color design experience in footwear or related industries
  • Strong understanding of color theory and its applications
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop)
  • Experience in the product creation process
  • Familiarity with materials and manufacturing considerations
  • Strong communication and presentation skills

Responsibilities

  • Drive color direction for key Streetwear Icons franchises like AJ1 and Retro
  • Create and refine color concepts and storytelling to elevate products
  • Partner with Material, Graphic, and Footwear Design teams for cohesive product expressions
  • Collaborate with Product and Development to ensure seamless color translation
  • Maintain file organization and manage work across product creation
  • Develop presentation-ready color proposals to facilitate decision-making
  • Research and apply insights from youth culture, fashion, and consumer trends

Benefits

  • Collaborative, team-first work environment
  • Opportunities to influence across multiple design disciplines
  • Engagement with youth culture and evolving consumer trends
  • Support for continuous feedback and growth
  • Chance to work with iconic streetwear products across various seasons
Full Job Description
WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Lead Color Designer, you will create the color stories that bring Jordan product to life - connecting culture, consumer insight, and design vision into compelling product experiences.

You will:
  • Drive color direction across key Streetwear Icons franchises, including AJ1 and Retro, working across multiple products and seasons at varying levels of distribution
  • Create and refine color concepts and storytelling that elevate product and connect to culture, leveraging both traditional and digital tools (e.g., Vizcom)
  • Partner closely with Material, Graphic, and Footwear Design teams to develop cohesive and elevated product expressions
  • Collaborate with Product and Development to ensure color intent translates from concept through manufacturing
  • Maintain strong file organization and manage work across the product creation process to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency
  • Develop presentation-ready color proposals and narratives that drive alignment and decision making
  • Present work clearly and consistently, incorporating feedback to strengthen outcomes
  • Research and apply insights from youth culture, fashion, sport, and consumer trends

A typical day might include collaborating with Material, Graphic, and Footwear partners, refining color concepts based on feedback, and presenting direction to cross-functional teams. You'll work across multiple seasons at different stages of the product lifecycle - from early concept through final execution - helping ensure alignment, clarity, and product excellence.

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

You'll partner across the design triad - Footwear Design, Color, Graphics, and Materials- alongside Product Marketing, Merchandising, Color/Material/Trim Development, and Technical Development.

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Streetwear Icons Footwear Color Design, Global Jordan

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for a Lead Color Designer who brings both a strong creative point of view and a collaborative, team-first mindset - someone who shows up with positive energy, is open to feedback, and elevates the team through how they work with others.

You bring:
  • A strong point of view on color, storytelling, and product expression
  • Connection to youth culture, sport, and evolving consumer trends
  • Ability to work through ambiguity and adapt quickly
  • A collaborative mindset with the ability to influence across teams
  • A positive, low-ego approach and openness to feedback
  • Passion for streetwear, sport, and cultural storytelling


WHAT YOU BRING
  • Bachelor's degree in Design, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
  • 5+ years of color design experience (footwear or related)
  • Strong understanding of color theory, application, and placement
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop)
  • Experience working within the product creation process
  • Familiarity with materials and manufacturing considerations
  • Strong communication and presentation skills

Bonus: Experience using digital concepting tools such as Vizcom or similar visualization platforms to rapidly explore and communicate color concepts

**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE YOU MUST PROVIDE A COLOR DESIGN FOCUSED PORTFOLIO THAT CAN BE UPLOADED TO THIS APPLICATION OR PROVIDE A URL ON THE RESUME (ANY PASSWORDS MUST BE INCLUDED ON THE RESUME)

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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