15 Top Freelancers Who’ve Lent Their Talents to the Nike Creative Team
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There’s a reason everyone knows Nike. The renowned global brand knows how to craft a message that sticks. And to get it right, Nike relies on great storytellers who can put their craft — be it video editing, photography, writing, or otherwise — at the service of the brand.
Working Not Working is home to more than 2,000 bold creatives who’ve helped Nike, Inc. share its story. If you're unfamiliar, Working Not Working is a platform that connects companies and world-class creatives, both freelance and full-time. Its goal is simple: help people to hire and get hired.
Whether you’re in search of creative freelancers or full-time talent, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the best talent from North America, Europe, and other parts of the world who’ve worked with the Nike creative team. Get to know creatives from the following five disciplines:
Ready to learn more? Then let’s dive in.
Note: Are you looking for top-notch creative talent to join your team or elevate your next project? Get access to the 70,000 creatives on WorkingWorking today.
1. Nike Graphic Designers & Creative Directors
For Nike designers, imagination isn’t an elective — it's a prerequisite. The sportswear brand works with the kinds of designers who can take a dream and shape it into reality.
Dave Knöph
Dave is a designer, creative director, and art director based in San Francisco. Along with years of design experience, he’s also given back to the industry through teaching. He's served as faculty at Miami Ad School and the College for Creative Studies.
“I always put thought, meaning, and emotion behind every opportunity that I’m granted. I believe that by putting in this sort of effort, even the most lackluster opportunities can turn into the shiniest things.”
Years of Experience: 13
Featured Nike Campaign: Jordan - The Last Shot
Dave worked with the Nike team on design elements of this activation for Jordan Brand. The premise? Educating a young generation of hoops fanatics about the greatness of Michael Jordan. The in-person simulation took place in 2015 at NBA All-Star Weekend in NYC.
Skills Practiced: Design, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Art Direction, Producing
Notable Brands Dave Has Also Worked With:
Levi’s
Budweiser
Chevrolet
Jeep
Apple.
Jay Giraldo
Jay is a designer, art director, and animator from Mexico City. These days, she’s based in New York, where she contributes to the creative vision of Nike Basketball.
Years of Experience: 4
Featured Nike Campaign: PG3 - Get Cozy
This campaign centered around a shoe release for NBA superstar Paul George. Jay handled design and concept. She credits Shane Griffin for the 3D/Motion, plus Michael Spoljaric and Darien Birks for Art Direction.
“It's all about comfort and remixing the idea of COZY with playful patterns, retail installations, and motion pieces that showcase George's versatility on the court.”
Skills Practiced: 3D, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Cinema 4D, Conceptual, Design
Notable Brands Jay Has Also Worked With:
Intel
Glossier.
Ollie Booth
Based in London, Ollie is a graphic designer who takes a multidisciplinary approach. His specialties include branding, art direction, and digital design.
Years of Experience: 7
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike One Football
Ollie collaborated with the Nike Brand Design team on this private event held in East London. He was responsible for the activation's branding, communications, and spatial graphics.
Skills Practiced: Digital, Print
Notable Brands Ollie Has Also Worked With:
Bank of England
Magners
Urban Outfitters
Channel 4
Foot Locker.
2. Nike Copywriters
Whether aspirational or humorous, the strongest stories always evoke emotion. The Beaverton-based brand turns to the kinds of copywriters who know how to wield words with feeling.
Brock Kirby
Based in Oregon, Brock is a cutting-edge copywriter who honed his writing chops with Wieden+Kennedy. From 2015 to 2016, his talents landed him in the top five of Business Insider’s most creative people in advertising under 30. His career began with a summer internship at a small agency in Ghana, Africa.
Years of Experience: 11
Featured Nike Campaign: The Kobe System
The Kobe System was one of Nike Basketball’s most memorable campaigns of the 2010s. It centered around the launch of Kobe Bryant’s seventh signature shoe with Nike.
“If our job is to create culture, we may have actually done it with this one.”
Skills Practiced: Copywriting
Notable Brands Brock Has Also Worked With:
Squarespace
The Atlantic
Samsung
Duracell
Sprite.
Craig Baldo
Craig is a copywriter and creative director with more than a decade of experience. Aside from his work in advertising, he’s also a stand-up comic. He's warmed up for Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and other late night hosts based in New York.
“As a comedian, if you find fresh insights/life truths and you’re a good technician – timing, delivery, etc – you’re golden. Same in copywriting. Once you conjure a good insight, your compass is set, and you can let your technical skills as a writer/artist take over.” (source)
Years of Experience: 13
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike Pro Cold
This project featured a series of comedic ads promoting Nike’s line of cold-weather gear. Craig joked that he worked on this campaign as “the oldest summer intern ever” at Wieden+Kennedy.
Skills Practiced: Copywriting
Notable Brands Craig Has Also Worked With:
Apple
Verizon
Wendy’s
Citibank
Dos Equis.
Kimberly Harrington
Kimberly is an accomplished writer based in Vermont. Aside from her work in advertising, she’s penned pieces for The New York Times, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, and The Cut. She’s also the author of two books: Amateur Hour (published in 2018) and But You Seemed So Happy (coming in 2021).
“I traffic in emotion. I translate briefs and insights into recognition, connection, and empathy for humans who engage with brands and organizations.”
Years of Experience: 22
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike SL1E Booklet
This passport-sized booklet was part of packaging for an exclusive product for females. The campaign encouraged women to consider the question: "Am I The One?"
Skills Practiced: Copywriting
Notable Brands Kimberly Has Also Worked With:
Adidas
Reebok
Converse
Whole Foods
Amnesty International.
3. Nike Photographers
An amazing picture can express a story that dives deeper than words. Nike works with the kinds of photographers who have a knack for capturing iconic moments.
Laura Austin
Laura combines her work as a graphic designer and photojournalist to tell a visual story. With every photo, she strives to make audiences feel like they are along for the ride.
Years of Experience: 9
Featured Nike Campaign: Tiger Woods
In this shoot commissioned by Nike, Laura captured golf legend Tiger Woods in his element.
Skills Practiced: Adobe Lightroom, Sports Photography
Notable Brands Laura Has Also Worked With:
Skullcandy
New Balance
Jamba Juice
Oakley
Cadillac.
Sarah Holt
Sarah is a freelance photographer who also works as a producer and art director. She splits her time between New York, Los Angeles, and Portland.
Years of Experience: 5
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike Cortez
Sarah shot photos for this campaign centered around one of Nike’s most revered sneaker lines. The Cortez was the first track shoe released by the Swoosh. Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman designed the sneaker in 1972.
Skills Practiced: Adobe Lightroom, Art Direction, Color Grading, Lighting, Post-Production, Retouching
Notable Brands Sarah Has Also Worked With:
Sephora
Glenfiddich
REI
Maybelline
Cosmopolitan.
Luca Venter
Luca is a New York-based photographer. He’s lent his talents across a variety of industries, including beauty and travel. Aside from photography, he’s also an art director, creative director, and cinematographer.
Years of Experience: 5
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike BeTrue
Luca shot photos for Nike's collaboration with the estate of Gilbert Baker. Baker was an artist who designed the Rainbow Flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ community since the 1970s.
Skills Practiced: Portrait Photography
Notable Brands Luca Has Also Worked With:
Google
Gap
Urban Outfitters
Levi’s
Apple.
4. Nike Video Editors
Nike’s marketing team knows that great campaigns aren’t created in one take. That’s why they lean on editors who are meticulous about polishing a message before it reaches the finish line.
Craig Holzer
Based in the United States, Craig is a video editor who has freelanced for a handful of studios and agencies. He’s brought his passion for editing to Google Creative Lab, The Mill, RYOT, and Sibling Rivalry.
“I love solving the puzzle of an edit and working with a creative team or director to find the best story.”
Years of Experience: 18
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike Moonshot
Craig pieced together the edit for this commercial featuring comedian Kevin Hart.
Skills Practiced: Adobe Premiere Pro
Notable Brands Craig Has Also Worked With:
Verizon
Budweiser
Microsoft
Samsung
Walmart.
Daniel Lewis
From editing to directing, Daniel Lewis has done it all throughout his career in the ad business. He’s produced work for agencies and studios such as The Mill, Rokkan, Votiv, Kode Media, and Optimist.
Years of Experience: 7
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike Air Society
The Nike Air Society was a series of events celebrating women and Nike air technology. Daniel was responsible for producing the recap of the event that took place in Chicago.
Skills Practiced: Cinematography
Notable Brands Daniel Has Also Worked With:
Red Bull
Adweek
Lululemon
Cadillac
Hypebeast.
Celeste Diamos
Celeste is a freelance editor based in Los Angeles. Aside from her work in advertising, she edits for the entertainment industry, too. For example, she’s edited music videos for musicians like Janelle Monae. She's also cut television shows like Property Brothers on HGTV.
Years of Experience: 12
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike Unlimited Pursuit
Celeste edited this commercial featuring Nike women athletes from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Skills Practiced: Editing
Notable Brands Celeste Has Also Worked With:
Chevrolet
Disney
ESPN
Staples
Fender.
5. Nike Artists
The best illustrations walk a fine line between fantasy and reality. Nike commissions illustrators who toe an artful balance on this boundary.
Robb Harskamp
Robb is an illustrator with more than two decades of experience to his credit. Most of his work centers around logos, branding, packaging, and social media content.
Years of Experience: 23
Featured Nike Campaign: LeBron 12 Animations
Robb worked with Nike on the launch of LeBron James’s 12th signature shoe. He created a series of seven animations that Nike Basketball shared on Twitter.
Skills Practiced: Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop
Notable Brands Robb Has Also Worked With:
ESPN
Pepsi
Hewlett Packard
University of Michigan
National Basketball Players Association.
Bethany Ng
Bethany is a former art director at Wieden+Kennedy. In 2012, she graduated from Wieden+Kennedy 12, the agency's rigorous advertising program. Her specialties include vector illustration, art direction, and brand design.
Years of Experience: 11
Featured Nike Campaign: Nike EQUALITY
Bethany lent her talents to the launch of Nike’s EQUALITY campaign. For the project, she created limited edition patches, enamel pins, and custom t-shirt graphics.
Skills Practiced: Adobe Illustrator, Art Direction
Notable Brands Bethany Has Also Worked With:
Nestle
Patagonia
Amazon
Roku
Microsoft.
Raj Dhunna
Raj is an illustrator based in West London. Aside from illustration, he also has experience in front-end web and app design.
Years of Experience: 5
Featured Nike Campaign: Niketown London
Raj created these illustrations for London’s Niketown store. He worked with Anyways Agency to design a total of four different murals around the store.
Skills Practiced: Adobe Photoshop, Traditional/Hand-drawn Illustrations
Notable Brands Raj Has Also Worked With:
Umbro
BBC
TottenhamFC
Culture Trip
Simplifying The Talent Search
Nike freelancers aren’t the only talented creatives you’ll find on Working Not Working. The platform isn't short on gifted pros who’ve contributed to the world's biggest brands. Working Not Working prides itself on building a community of carefully curated creatives.
“We started by fixing the hiring mess for ourselves, our friends, and our agency contacts. It was built by creatives, for creatives. The idea was to create a central platform to make everyone’s lives easier: for freelancers to find work, and for companies to find great freelancers who wanted work.”
- Adam Tompkins and Justin Gignac, co-founders of Working Not Working
Today, that mission applies to creatives seeking full-time opportunities, too. With easy-to-use search filters and features, Working Not Working simplifies the talent hunt. That, along with the verification of top-flight creatives, is what separates us from the competition.