Carolyn Davidson’s legacy is another story similar to Rob Janoff’s as she was also an aspiring graphics artist, fresh in the industry looking for her big break in success. That is until an old friend from her days in college requested a favor from her to design a logo for a company that would later rise to become a cultural icon. In her days as a student studying graphics design, Davidson came across Phil Knight, an assistant professor at Portland State University who would later become known as the founder of Blue Ribbon Sports, and in turn, Nike. Knight asked for Davidson’s help on various projects during that time to help her collect funds to pay for her classes. After helping form the Blue Ribbon Sports company, Knight aspired to branch out and create his own brand of shoes but needed a logo to match. That’s when Knight reached out to Davidson and, in turn, birthed what is now known as the most recognized and successful shoe company in the world, Nike. Although her work for the company was priced at only $35 by what is now a multi-billion dollar industry; her talent and efforts done for the company were later recognized as she was granted a million-dollars in stock invested in the company and received a gold, diamond-studded ring featuring the Swoosh design as well as a party and plaque in her honor, acknowledging her as the creator of the company’s logo.
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