The Designasty

The Designasty

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Varannan vecka

This is the origin story of Nike Team Sports - as told by the designers, creators and innovators who made it happen. thedesignasty.substack.com

10 mars

Episode X: Design is Everywhere

Aaron Cooper, a former Nike Footwear Creative Director, joins Ken in today’s conversation about Nike’s first-of-its-kind creative culture, design philosophy, and the importance of meaningful relationships both within a team and in one’s everyday life. Aaron also gives us a taste of what it was like to meet and create for legendary athletes like Serena Williams, Kevin Garnett, Lebron James, LaDanian Tomlinson and many more. During this episode, Ken and Aaron mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for along the way. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Jim Zorn - NFL Quarterback & Coach * Steve Largent - NFL Wide Receiver * Steve Miller Band - Classic Rock Band * Seattle Seahawks * Seattle Supersonics * Muhammad Ali - Boxing GOAT * Michael Young - Nike Footwear Developer * Dave Schenone - Nike Footwear Design Director * Cathy Bailey - Nike Footwear Developer * Mark Parker - Nike CEO * Drake Ramberg - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Ron Hill - Nike Footwear Business Director * Elliot Hill - (then) Head of Pro Sports, Nike Teams Sports (now) Nike CEO * Scottie Pippen - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Jason Kidd - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Gary Payton - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Sheryl Swoops - WNBA Legend * Lisa Leslie - WNBA Legend * Kevin Garnett - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Michael Jordan - Basketball GOAT * Steve Nash - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Dirk Novitski - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Amare Stoudamire - NBA Legend * Damon Stoudamire - NBA Legend * LeBron James - NBA Legend * Paula Radcliffe - UK Track and Field Legend * Tinker Hatfield - Nike OG Footwear Design Legend * Bo Jackson - Legendary NFL Running Back * LaDanian Tomlinson - Hall of Fame NFL Player * Paul Pierce - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Lance Armstrong - Legendary Cyclist * Omar Salazar - Pro Skateboarder * Shaquem Griffin - NFL Linebacker * Serena Williams - Women’s Tennis GOAT * Eric Avar - Nike Footwear Designer * Kobe Bryant - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Bob Wood - Nike Business Leader/Former President of Nike Golf * Gordon Thompson - First VP of Nike Design This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
16 feb.

Episode IX: Nike Team Sports Enters the Red Zone

Ken is joined by his former Nike teammate, Bob Clark, who is a Product Graphic Designer that played a huge role in Nike’s early days outfitting football teams, both in the NCAA and the NFL. Hear Bob’s best stories from his time working on iconic teams like Florida State University, University of Colorado, Kansas State University, the Dallas Cowboys and much more. During this episode, Ken and Bob mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for along the way. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Michael Scheible - OTS Product Graphic Designer * Sean Wenzel - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Chris Kegel - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Gear for Sports - Licensed Apparel Manufacturer * Bo Jackson - Legendary NFL Running Back * Bobby Rahall - NASCAR Driver * Dale Earnhardt - NASCAR Legend * Randy Hamar - OTS Product Graphic Designer * Nolan Ryan - Hall of Fame Baseball Pitcher/Building Name on Nike Campus * Robin Ventura - Legendary Professional Baseball Player * Steven Gomez - VP of Nike Apparel * Angela Snow - VP Head of Product Graphic Design Department * Todd Van Horne - Nike Team Sports Creative Director * Bobby Bowden - Florida State Football Coach * Stan Clark - OTS Sports Marketing Field Rep * David Turner - OTS Football Apparel Designer * Rob Mitchell - OTS College Sports Director * Dave Hart - FSU Licensing & Athletic Director * Cathy Libnic - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Phil Long - OTS Production Designer * Tom Brady - Legendary NFL Quarterback * Jerry Jones - Dallas Cowboys Owner * Charlotte Jones - Jerry Jones’ Daughter * Dallas Cowboys * Oakland Raiders * Pittsburgh Steelers * Green Bay Packers * Jacksonville Jaguars * Carolina Panthers * Denver Broncos * Tom Landry - Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys Head Coach * Troy Aikman - Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback * Deion Sanders - Hall of Fame NFL Cornerback * Emmet Smith - Hall of Fame NFL Running Back * Michael Irvin - Hall of Fame NFL Wide Receiver * Kehinde Wiley - New York Based American Portrait Painter * EastBay - Direct-to-consumer Retailer * Terry Schwartz - OTS Sports Marketing Field Rep * Bill Snyder - Kansas State Football Head Coach * Kansas State University * University of Miami * Florida State University * Rick Neuheisel - Colorado University Football Head Coach * University of Colorado * Phil Knight - Nike Founder * Bill Hampton - NFL Properties Executive * Eric Petrosinelli - NFL Properties Executive * David Odusanya - OTS Football Product Graphic Designer * Rodney Richardson - OTS Product Graphic Designer * Jack Ham - Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker * Dan Rooney - Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers Owner * Doug Reed - Nike Team Sports Football Business Director * Michael Jordan - Basketball GOAT * Steve Spurrier - Hall of Fame Florida University Football Coach * Kerry Sullivan - OTS Apparel Product Developer * Nick Saban - Hall of Fame College Football Coach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
29 jan.

Episode VIII: Highs and Lows of Nike Basketball Shoes

Ken Black and Keith Houlemard welcome their former Nike teammate David “Boot” Bond, who was on the first Organized Team Sports trip with Ken and Keith and later worked on some of the most iconic Nike shoes of that era with the Air Jordan XI, Air More Uptempo, Flightposite and much more as a footwear product director. David shares his favorite memories from his time at Nike as well as some of the less glamorous moments that shaped his career. During this episode, Ken and Keith mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for along the way. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Peter Kolsky - Nike Apparel Director * Doug Reed - OTS Football Product Director * David Robinson - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Michael Jordan - The GOAT * Jason Kidd - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Charles Barkley - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Kevin Garnett - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Gary Payton - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Andre Agassi - Legendary Tennis Professional * Tom Andrich - Nike Tennis Product Graphic Designer * Martha Moore - Nike Apparel Designer * Steve Fisher - Michigan Coach * Chris Webber - Hall of Fame NBA Player * PJ Carlisimo - Former Head Basketball Coach of Seton Hall University * Dean Smith - Legendary Head Basketball Coach of the University of North Carolina * John Thompson - Legendary Head Basketball Coach of Georgetown University * Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) - Legendary Head Basketball Coach of Duke University * Decon Burt — Nike Apparel Creative Director * Mark Riley - Legendary Nike Footwear Product Director * Wilson Smith - Nike Footwear Designer/Designer of the Air More Uptempo * Nate Retzlaﬀ - Nike OTS Product Graphic Designer * Scottie Pippen - Hall of Fame NBA player * Eric Avar - Legendary Nike Footwear Designer * Tinker Hatfield - The GOAT of footwear design * Aaron Cooper - Legendary Nike Footwear Designer * Adidas - Athletic Footwear and Apparel Company * Under Armour - Athletic Footwear and Apparel Company * Foot Locker - Legendary Footwear Retailer * Peter Ruppe - Nike (Basketball) Footwear Business Director * Jack Bellini - Footlocker Head Buyer * Sam Siegel - Godfather of Nike Sales * Phil Knight - Founder of Nike * Bill Duﬀy - NBA Player Agent * Michael Scheible - OTS Product Graphic Designer * Howard “H” White - Legendary Jordan Brandon Executive * Eric Lautenbach - Nike College Basketball Sports Marketing Director * Oakley - Performance Eyewear Brand * Spike Lee - Filmmaker/Mars Blackmon * Tim Hardaway - Hall of Fame NBA Player * Michael Morrow - Nike Product Graphic Designer, Adidas Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
2025-12-04

Episode VII: Respect the Past, Represent the Future

The full story of the Denver Broncos 1997 rebrand is here. Keith Houlemard returns to the conversation, this time to ask the questions and get all the details from Ken Black about designing the new Broncos identity - from the secret meetings with owner Pat Bowlen to the back-to-back Super Bowl victories immediately following the rebrand. During this episode, Ken and Keith mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for during those adventurous early years. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Devon Burt - Nike Apparel Creative Director * Phil Knight - Nike Founder * Jerry Jones - Dallas Cowboys Owner * Bill Hampton - NFL Properties Executive * Eric Petrosinelli - NFL Properties Executive * Pat Bowlen - Denver Broncos Owner * Howard Slusher - Nike General Council * Denver Broncos * Dallas Cowboys * Jacksonville Jaguars * Carolina Panthers * Oakland Raiders * Pittsburgh Steelers * Green Bay Packers * Greg Nared - Nike Sports Marketing Executive * William Wesley - Basketball Advisor * Chicago Bulls * New York Knicks * Reebok * Starter * Logo Athletic * Todd Van Horne - Nike Team Sports Creative Director * David Odusanya - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Mike Shanahan - Denver Broncos Head Coach * Michael Young - Denver Broncos Executive & Former Player * Paul Allen - Portland Trail Blazers Owner * Tinker Hatfield - Nike Footwear OG Legend * David Turner - OTS Football Apparel Designer * Gordon Thompson - VP of Nike Design * Elliot Hill - (then) Head of Pro Sports, Nike Teams Sports * Tom Creighton - Nike Team Sports Product Line Manager * Vizhier Mooney - Nike PR Executive * Adam Schefter - Denver Based Journalist & NFL Reporter * David Wass - President of Denver Broncos * John Elway - Denver Broncos Hall of Fame Quarterback * Harald Hasselbach - Denver Broncos Defensive End * Woody Paige - Denver Based Journalist & ESPN Reporter * Sarah Levinson - President of NFL Properties * Doug Reed - Nike Team Sports Football Business Director * Martha Ivester - Nike Olympics Brand Director * Gerry Erasme - Nike New York GM * Henry Molina - Nike Latin America PR Director * Nate Retzlaff - OTS Product Graphic Designer * Rodney Richardson - OTS Product Graphic Designer * Kevin Lyons - OTS Product Graphic Designer * U2 - Prolific Hall of Fame Rock Band This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
2025-11-19

Episode VI: No Story, No Sale

Ken sits with former Nike teammate Nate Retzlaff, who worked on projects like the 1996 Air More Uptempo, Syracuse Basketball, Duke Basketball, Oregon Ducks Football, the Nike Triax watch, and much more. The two share some of the stories behind the designs for a few projects they worked on together and dive into the rest of Nate’s career after he left Organized Team Sports and hopped around through a few other divisions at Nike. During this episode, Ken and Nate mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for during those adventurous early years. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Dan Dehaven - Footwear Product Developer * Angela Snow - VP of Product Graphic Design * Todd Van Horne - Creative Director of Nike Team Sports * David Turner - Organized Team Sports Football Apparel Designer * Janett Nichol - Organized Team Sports Basketball Apparel Designer * Steven Gomez - VP of Nike Apparel & First OTS GM * Jim Boeheim - Syracuse University Head Basketball Coach * Kevin Lyons - OTS Product Graphic Designer * Wilson Smith - Nike Footwear Designer * Gordon Thompson - VP of Nike Design * Peter Valez - Nike Apparel Designer * Joe Vernaccio - Nike Product Developer * Jay Meschter - Nike Footwear & Innovation Designer * Albert Shum - Nike Innovation Leader * Ed Boyd - Nike TechLab Creative Director * Laird Hamilton - Legendary Big Wave Surfer * Mauricio Cordell - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Marcus Bonfiglioli - Nike 3D Designer * Bo Lupo - Nike 3D Design Leader * Heron Preston - Fashion Designer * Tinker Hatfield - OG Nike Footwear Designer * Luke Pezzamente - Nike Apparel Designer * Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers Quarterback * Brett Favre - Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Quarterback * Keith Crawford - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Steve McClard - Nike Apparel Designer * Howard Slusher - Nike General Council * Georgetown University * University of Oregon * Syracuse University * Green Bay Packers * Las Vegas Raiders This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
2025-11-06

Episode V: New Brand Looks at UConn & Villanova

Highlighting the Nike rebrands of UConn and Villanova that have stood the test of time, Episode V features first time guest and former Nike OTS designer Michael Scheible. Host Ken Black and Keith Houlemard lead the discussion with Michael to dive deep into design choices and stories about creating the iconic looks for those two schools and talk about a few other projects Michael helped design. During this episode, Ken, Keith and Michael mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for during those adventurous early years. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Bob Clark - OTS Football Graphic Designer * Shawn Wenzel - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Chris Kegel - Nike Product Graphic Designer * University of Connecticut * Ray Allen * Villanova * Jim Calhoun - UConn Basketball Head Coach * Jim Calhoun Jr. * Gear for Sports * Bob Huggins - University of Cincinnati Basketball Head Coach * Denver Broncos * Clint Shayner - Art Director of Nike Graphic Identity Group * Janett Nichol - OTS Basketball Apparel Designer * Steve Lapis - University of Villanova Basketball Head Coach * Kerry Kittles * Vancouver Grizzlies * Toronto Raptors * Portland Trail Blazers * Southwest Airlines * University of Arizona * Georgetown University * Fanatics * Oscar Robertson * PJ Carlesimo - Seton Hall University Basketball Head Coach * University of Cincinnati * Wynn Anderson - Nike Apparel Designer * Michael Hernandez - Nike Product Graphic Designer * University of California * St. Johns University * North Carolina A&T University * Todd Van Horne - Nike Team Sports Creative Director * Shelby Tiffany - OTS Product Graphic Designer * University of Oregon * Dave Turner - OTS Football Apparel Designer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
2025-10-21

Episode IV: From Beaverton to Europe and Back

Drake Ramberg returns to The Designasty, this time to give his full story arc from drawing caricatures of his hometown heroes as a kid to designing kits for some of the most iconic soccer teams around the world. Along with host Ken Black, Drake takes us through his 33-year career at Nike which includes setting up the Nike Design Studio in Europe and designing kits for teams like Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, and even the Olympic-gold-winning Nigerian national team. Follow Drake’s story from Beaverton to Europe and back, where he created iconic designs along the way. During this episode, Ken and Drake mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for during those adventurous early years. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Angela Snow - (then) VP Head of Product Graphic Design Department * Tom Andrich - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Randy Hamar - Nike Product Graphic Designer * Mark Parker - Nike CEO * Selma Taygan - Head of Nike Apparel Design * John Notar - Head of Nike Apparel * Kericey * Sylvia Na * Matt Wolff - Head of Nike Apparel Operations * Borrussia Dortmund - Nike Sponsored European Football Club * PSG (Paris St. Germaine) - Nike Sponsored European Football Club * Lyon (Olympique Lyonnais) - Nike Sponsored European Football team * Arsenal - Nike Sponsored European Football Club * PSD Eindhoven - Nike Sponsored European Football Club * Nigeria National European Football Club * Italy National European Football Club * Paolo Maldini - Legendary Italian defender * Phil Knight - Nike Co-Founder & Chairman * Sandy Bodecker - Legendary Nike Executive (Started Nike Soccer and Nike Skate Divisions) * Kurt Parker - Nike Product Graphic Designer and Apparel Design VP * Todd Van Horn - Nike Team Sports Creative Director * Martha Moore - Nike Apparel Designer * David Turner - OTS Football Apparel Designer * Janett Nichol - OTS Basketball Apparel Designer * Duke University - Nike Sponsored Basketball Program * UNLV - Nike Sponsored Basketball Program * University of Kansas - Nike Sponsored Basketball Program * University of Kentucky - Nike Sponsored Basketball Program * Chicago Bears - Nike Sponsored NFL Team * Oakland Raiders - Nike Sponsored NFL Team * Jacksonville Jaguars - Nike Sponsored NFL Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
2025-10-07

Episode III: Jordan Jumpman

Keith Houlemard re-joins the conversation with Ken, this time talking about their experiences creating for the Air Jordan line - it had not yet transitioned to become Brand Jordan. They chat about specific design choices and insights for the Air Jordan XI and XII product lines, personal stories about working with MJ directly, and the start of Brand Jordan after Michael’s official retirement, including Keith’s tenure as president of the brand. During this episode, Ken and Keith mention many other Nike team members as well as people they met and designed for along the way. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. * Michael Jordan - Greatest Basketball Player in History * Tinker Hatfield - Footwear OG Designer * Anne (Houlie forgot her last name) * Janet Nichol - OTS Basketball Apparel Designer * Howard White “H” - Legendary Nike & Brand Jordan * Dan Dehaven - Air Jordan Footwear Developer * Peter Ruppe - Head of Basketball Footwear * Toussaint King - Current Brand Jordan Footwear Designer * Mary Slayton - Strategy Director @ Nike * Mark Riley - Legendary Nike Shoe Dog * Gentry Humphrey - Legendary Jordan Shoe Dog * Hans George - Nike OTS Basketball Product Line Manager * Larry Miller - President of Brand Jordan * Eddie Jones - NBA All-Star * Ray Allen - NBA Legend * Vin Baker - Former NBA Player * Roy Jones Jr - Pro Boxing Legend * Mike Phillips * Jason Mayden - Air Jordan Footwear Designer & current Brand Jordan CCO * Mark Smith (Smitty) - Brand Jordan Creative Director and Legendary Nike Footwear Designer * Dwyane Wade - NBA Legend * Carmelo Anthony - NBA All-Star * Chris Paul - NBA All-Star * Russel Westbrook - NBA All-Star * Blake Griffin - NBA All-Star * Craig Cannon * Charlie Denson - Co-president of Nike * Trevor Edwards - Nike CMO and eventual President * Michael Scheible - OTS Basketball Product Graphic Designer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
2025-09-23

Episode II: Bold Moves in College Hoops

Ken Black talks with Keith Houlemard, who is an original member of Nike Organized Team Sports and longtime friend to Ken. In a conversation centered around Nike’s early collaboration in the world of college basketball, they tell stories from their meetings with legendary coaches like Coach K of Duke, Big John Thompson of Georgetown, and Dean Smith of North Carolina. In addition, they break down specific uniform design choices from each of those schools and more. During this episode, Ken and Keith mention many other Nike team members as well as the people they met and designed for along the way. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. David Bond ("Boot") - Basketball Footwear PLM Doug Reed - Apparel/Football PLM Angela Snow - VP Head of Product Graphic Design Department Devon Burt - Apparel Creative Director Don Remlinger - Footwear Executive PJ Carlisimo - Head Basketball Coach Seton Hall University John Thompson - Head Basketball Coach Georgetown University FootLocker - Big Nike Retail Partner Jim Boeheim - Head Basketball Coach Syracuse University Mary Finlan - John Thompson's Chief of Staff at Georgetown Phil Knight - Nike founder and Chairman Goodman & Sons - Uniform Manufacturer in Pasadena, California Delong Manufacturing - Uniform Manufacturer in Grinell, Iowa Patrick Ewing - Georgetown and NBA Basketball Legend Tinker Hatfield - Footwear OG Designer Michael Jordan - The GOAT Michael Morrow - Apparel Product Graphics Creative Director Derek Coleman - Syracuse Hall of Fame Basketball Player John Chaney - Temple Basketball Head Coach Othello Harrington - Georgetown Center Allen Iverson - Georgetown and NBA Hall of Famer Jeff Capel - Duke Guard Coach K - GOAT Duke Basketball Coach Eric Lautenbach - Nike College Basketball Sports Marketing OG Mickey Kryzewski - Coach K's Wife Janett Nichol - OTS Basketball Apparel Designer Lute Olson - Head Basketball Coach University of Arizona Ray Allen - UCONN and NBA Legend Michael Scheible - OTS Graphic Designer Seton Hall University Duke University University of North Carolina Syracuse University University of Connecticut St. Johns University North Carolina A&T University University of Michigan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com
2025-09-09

Episode I: The Dynasty Begins

Host Ken Black talks with Drake Ramberg, a 33-year Nike veteran and design OG. Together, they talk about the early days of Nike Team Sports and how they both worked to bring sport design into a new era of innovation and performance. They give brief stories about some of their favorite uniform and team designs they got to work on, including the Denver Broncos and Arsenal, setting up stories they will dive deeper into in future episodes. In this episode, Ken and Drake mention a handful of other Nike team members as well as some of the people they met and designed for along the way. Here is a complete list of those mentioned. David Turner, OTS Football Apparel Designer Mark Parker, Nike CEO Angela Snow, (then) VP Head of Product Graphic Design Department Gordon Thompson, Nikes First Chief Design Officer Todd VanHorne, Nike Team Sports Creative Director Wilson Smith, OG Nike FW Designer Bill Bowerman, Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Nike Founder and Chairman Tinker Hatfield, OG Footwear Designer/Air Jordan Designer Tom Andrich, Nike Tennis Product Graphic Designer Devon Burt, Nike Apparel Creative Director Drake Ramberg Ken Black Alexander Julian Georgetown Andre Agassi Denver Broncos Mike Shanahan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedesignasty.substack.com

10 avsnitt

This is the origin story of Nike Team Sports - as told by the designers, creators and innovators who made it happen. thedesignasty.substack.com

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The Designasty
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2025 - 2026
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10
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