049. Carolyn Davidson and Sarah Williams: The Woman Behind the Swoosh
Tue Sep 09 2025
When it comes to recognizable icons, few rival Nike’s Swoosh, designed by student designer Carolyn Davidson for $35. We unpack her quiet career, late recognition, and lasting influence with guest Sarah Williams, Co-CEO of Beardwood & Co. and President of AIGA NY.
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Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee
This show is powered by branding and design studio Nice People
Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow
Have a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay
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About Carolyn Davidson:
We’re pulling back the curtain on one of design’s most enduring marks: the Nike Swoosh. In 1971, Portland State University student Carolyn Davidson sketched a fluid, wing-like “stripe” directly over a shoe drawing—a fast, simple symbol that Phil Knight didn’t love at first but chose under production pressure. She invoiced $35, kept freelancing for the scrappy company as it rebranded from Blue Ribbon Sports to Nike, and later stepped away from the spotlight. Years afterward, Nike surprised her with a gold Swoosh ring and stock—an act of overdue recognition that grew to life-changing value. We trace Davidson’s process, her broader early contributions beyond the logo, and how the Swoosh eventually stood alone without the wordmark.
About Sarah Williams:
Sarah Williams is Co-CEO of Beardwood & Co. and President of AIGA New York. She joined Beardwood early (2006) after starting at Landor and rose to co-owner, leading brand programs for companies like Danone and Colgate while advancing mentorship and access across the NYC design community.
Follow Sarah:
Instagram: @_sarah_aw_
Beardwood & Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beardwoodco/
https://beardwood.com/
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View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:
Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod
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When it comes to recognizable icons, few rival Nike’s Swoosh, designed by student designer Carolyn Davidson for $35. We unpack her quiet career, late recognition, and lasting influence with guest Sarah Williams, Co-CEO of Beardwood & Co. and President of AIGA NY. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio Nice People Join this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknow Have a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay _______ About Carolyn Davidson: We’re pulling back the curtain on one of design’s most enduring marks: the Nike Swoosh. In 1971, Portland State University student Carolyn Davidson sketched a fluid, wing-like “stripe” directly over a shoe drawing—a fast, simple symbol that Phil Knight didn’t love at first but chose under production pressure. She invoiced $35, kept freelancing for the scrappy company as it rebranded from Blue Ribbon Sports to Nike, and later stepped away from the spotlight. Years afterward, Nike surprised her with a gold Swoosh ring and stock—an act of overdue recognition that grew to life-changing value. We trace Davidson’s process, her broader early contributions beyond the logo, and how the Swoosh eventually stood alone without the wordmark. About Sarah Williams: Sarah Williams is Co-CEO of Beardwood & Co. and President of AIGA New York. She joined Beardwood early (2006) after starting at Landor and rose to co-owner, leading brand programs for companies like Danone and Colgate while advancing mentorship and access across the NYC design community. Follow Sarah: Instagram: @_sarah_aw_ Beardwood & Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beardwoodco/ https://beardwood.com/ ____ View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below: Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod