Wilson W. Smith III

Blue Ribbon Studio Manager
Creative Outreach
Nike

Product Design Faculty
University of Oregon

Wilson W. Smith III

Blue Ribbon Studio Manager
Creative Outreach
Nike

Product Design Faculty
University of Oregon

Biography

Wilson W. Smith III is the Nike Blue Ribbon Studio Manager of Creative Outreach, Product Design Faculty at the University of Oregon (UO), 2018 Lawrence Medalist, and is a UO alumnus, ‘80 Arch. During his 39-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 products for some of the greatest athletes in Nike’s history, including Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Andre’ Agassi, and Derek Jeter.

What truly defines Wilson is his incredible passion for 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.