One of the most known logo in the world…the Nike swoosh mark.  This is a recognizable icon in almost every part of the world with a colossal list of superstars wearing their insignia.  Big stars like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lebron James, Koby Bryant, Maria Sharapova and believe me this list can go on forever.

You have to understand the meaning of the company’s name before you can appreciate the meaning their logo and let us start where did Nike’s name came from.  The company was originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports, Inc and was founded by Philip Knight and William Bowerman, on their first venture they were targeting a market for high quality running shoes which later on developed and Nike had a niche in every segment of the industry.

The company changed its name from Blue Ribbon Sports, Inc and was officially known to be Nike, Inc in 1978.  The name Nike was taken from the Greek goddess of victory.  Back in 1971, Phil Knight was an accounting professor where she met Carolyn Davidson, at that time BRS was already in search for new design ideas and Davidson was asked if she can provide a new concept for the company.  Davidson was the one who conceptualized the ever famous swoosh mark and the logo actually represents the wing of the Greek goddess and not of what we commonly known as the check mark.  Davidson was only paid $35 for her job.

The slogan “Just do it” was a slogan coined by Dan Wieden on their 1988 television ad campaign for Nike and said that this was an inspiration through Gary Gilmore’s last word before he was executed “Let’s do it”.  Weiden founded Weiden+Kennedy advertising agency and were making ads for Nike since 1982.

Nike’s swoosh logo has been a representation of greatness and it is really remarkable that a small symbol can put a whole company into a higher level of perspective.