Full Name
Wilson Smith III
Speaker Bio
Wilson W. Smith Ill is the Nike Design Intelligence Manager of Creative Outreach. During his 40-year tenure at Nike, Smith worked on projects that run the gamut of the design profession--retail, graphics, architecture, footwear, experience, brand, and apparel-and designed and developed product for some of the greatest athletes in Nike's history, including Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, Derek Jeter.
In addition, Wilson is a Professor in Product Design at U of 0, where his studio focus is Adaptive Design Enabling Athletes with Disabilities.
He's also co-taught Intro to Product Design in the UO Sports Product Management graduate program. Wilson is the recipient of 2018 Ellis F.
Lawrence Medal from the College of Design for distinguished alumnus.
Graduating in 1980 with an architectural degree from U of 0, Wilson initially worked for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill out of Portland. He began his Nike career in 1983, assisting Tinker Hatfield in Corporate Architecture. Transitioning into footwear design, his focus became athlete inspired products in Tennis, Basketball, Cross Training, and Brand Jordan, where he designed Air Jordan XVI & XVII. Black Enterprise Magazine named Wilson one of America's Top Black Designers.
What truly defines Wilson is his incredible passion around coaching, teaching and giving back. Wilson's commitment to advancing the next generation, and the power of design to positively impact the world has created a presence and legacy that expands beyond his product designs.
In 2019, he was honored with the Jan Ernst Matzeliger Award as the first Black designer in the athletic footwear industry, and with Nike's inaugural Design Achievement Award. For Fall '22, Nike Classics created the "Thank You, Wilson" shoe story of his retro '96 Air More Uptempo.
Wilson is also a worship leader at SouthLake Church, West Linn, Oregon.
In addition, Wilson is a Professor in Product Design at U of 0, where his studio focus is Adaptive Design Enabling Athletes with Disabilities.
He's also co-taught Intro to Product Design in the UO Sports Product Management graduate program. Wilson is the recipient of 2018 Ellis F.
Lawrence Medal from the College of Design for distinguished alumnus.
Graduating in 1980 with an architectural degree from U of 0, Wilson initially worked for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill out of Portland. He began his Nike career in 1983, assisting Tinker Hatfield in Corporate Architecture. Transitioning into footwear design, his focus became athlete inspired products in Tennis, Basketball, Cross Training, and Brand Jordan, where he designed Air Jordan XVI & XVII. Black Enterprise Magazine named Wilson one of America's Top Black Designers.
What truly defines Wilson is his incredible passion around coaching, teaching and giving back. Wilson's commitment to advancing the next generation, and the power of design to positively impact the world has created a presence and legacy that expands beyond his product designs.
In 2019, he was honored with the Jan Ernst Matzeliger Award as the first Black designer in the athletic footwear industry, and with Nike's inaugural Design Achievement Award. For Fall '22, Nike Classics created the "Thank You, Wilson" shoe story of his retro '96 Air More Uptempo.
Wilson is also a worship leader at SouthLake Church, West Linn, Oregon.
Speaking At
