Nike assigns new creative director
Nike has named John Hoke as global creative director of footwear design. In his new role, Hoke is responsible for the overall vision and seasonal design direction of the sports giant’s footwear division worldwide, including all creative activity related to design, form-making, colour and positioning for womens, mens, childrens and specialty footwear.
A ten-year veteran of Nike, Hoke has been the driving force behind some of the company's most important retail and product design milestones, including Niketown and Nike Goddess stores; the Nike ID customised shoe programme; and the design and implementation of the Nike web site, including branding and e-commerce.
Hoke's interest in Nike began during childhood, when in 1976, he sent a sketch to Nike president Phil Knight that suggested putting air in the sole of an athletic shoe. Twenty-three years later, Hoke designed the SHOX XTR training shoe, featuring one of the most innovative cushioning systems Nike has introduced to-date.
Prior to his current position as global creative director, Hoke has also served in a number of other design leadership functions at Nike, including global creative director of Nike brand, global creative director of image design, creative director of environmental design and as a senior designer. Before joining Nike, Hoke worked for Michael Graves, a multi-disciplinary design firm, where he created architectural, industrial, graphic and product designs.
