Nike’s culture is built on constant reinvention — new teams, new missions, new ideas. When one of these emerging groups prepared to introduce itself to the broader organization, I was invited to help bring their presentation to life through a cohesive animation system that could visually support the story being told on stage.
Working with the talented illustrators at Skinny Ships, we developed a minimal illustration style that captured Nike’s forward-looking attitude with clarity and charm. I created a library of modular GIF animations that presenters could mix and match in real time, allowing them to tailor visuals dynamically as they spoke. The simplicity of the design language made it flexible, recognizable, and easily reusable across future internal presentations.
Once all components were complete, the animations were assembled into a single seamless video sequence for live presentation — including some confidential internal material that can’t be shown publicly. The project was a success, helping the new group connect across departments and setting the stage for future collaboration and innovation within the company.
The core idea behind the system was motion as communication — using simple, rhythmic movement to punctuate ideas and maintain audience engagement without overpowering the message. Each animation was designed to complement the spoken narrative, acting as a visual metaphor for innovation, teamwork, and progress.
By relying on a restrained color palette and minimal geometry, the visuals felt both distinctly Nike and universally adaptable. The modular approach allowed presenters to assemble sequences like building blocks — creating an evolving toolkit for storytelling across the organization.
I led the concept development, storyboards, animation, and initial edit, with subsequent refinements handled by Josh Spivey.
A subtle project, but one that perfectly illustrates how design and motion can help ideas move — literally and organizationally.
Role:
Creative Direction, Motion Design, Concept Development
