John Hlavacs

Part of a team tasked with Creating the future of Nike Running

-Create strategic vision, insight and innovation roadmap for Nike Women's Performance Footwear with a focus on Running
-Design athletic footwear concepts and product improvements specific to Women’s biomechanics & anatomy.
-Establish the modern Running category Best-Practices in partnership with Development, Marketing, Engineering
-Create & publish design templates in unison with Nike-Sport-Research-Lab based on foundational performance needs.
-Mentor and guide designers in all aspects of the process in all sport categories within the Women’s organization.

-Pioneered innovation process and quantifiable test pardigms using deep-learning machine motion-capture techniques.
-Authored Design Direction for Nike Baseball working directly with MLB / NCAA players & teams to inform and validate
-Carried out Lead Design responsibilities for Baseball & Football Cleated Footwear to create performance technologies and Statement designs for signature athletes such as Mike Trout and Russell Wilson

-Directed the creation of Core Performance Innovation agenda/roadmap and communication (powerpoint/PDF/etc.)
-Responsible for presentation and distribution of strategic vision to internal business units and factory partners
-Duties included: Creating insights, authoring project briefs, identifying athlete partners & organizing insight gathering, formulating partnerships with like-minded innovative vendors, as well as generating design solutions for each innovation

-Footwear and Product Design consulting services (Clients: Brooks Running, Under Armour, Concept21, Deckers / Hoka)
-Conducted consumer research, offered market analysis and created marketing lineplans along with design solutions

* First Portland Design employee responsible for Special Projects and pinnacle footwear concepts * Undertook Design, Development, and Project Management roles with direct communication to headquarters and Asia Manufacturing partners, along with sourcing of local prototyping resources. * Created Fit improvements, Last designs, and new platform Innovations across multiple sport categories * Designed themes and product for Running, Cleated, Outdoor, and cross-categorical initiatives * hands-on mock-ups, clay model building, Machine shop organization

* Create vision, insight, research and designs focused on Columbia light-hiking and Montrail running * Collaborate with elite athletes, conduct market/consumer studies, mentor young designers * Spearhead design-process and design-to-digital workflow improvements for the Footwear category

• An entrepreneurial venture focused on inspiration, mentorship, fitness, and fostering human potential
• Created LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS: consulting firm offering product design, illustration, digital media
• Portfolio includes footwear design, logo design / brand identity, fine art landscape photography and Steens Mountain Running Camp limited edition Illustrations & T-shirts
• Inspired and created visual identity for “Jesse’s Buddies”… community outreach in Cleveland, OH

Innovation Kitchen 2008 * Developed Next-generation AIR soles and early-stage creative vision for several programs including Local-for-Local and N7 Curation

* Created concepts and lines of running shoes utilizing a range of technologies including NIKE SHOX, MAX AIR, and spearheaded new cushioning formulations, textile designs and production efficiencies. * Updated category Best Practices and acted as Lead for technical running (Bowerman Series) * Initiated and implemented CONSIDERED Design approach to the Pegasus 2008, furthering that movement within the Running category * Collaborated with Olympic athletes, physical trainers and biomechanists to envision new technologies * Nike / GM Traction Collaboration. Assumed lead design role on Hummer H3T Concept tire design

Responsible for Creative Direction of category which included managing budget, overseeing designers and giving performance reviews. * Created lines of product to drive a singular category vision from on-field professional athletes down through kids footwear, and influenced Cross Training models * Responsible for communication of category product within Nike and externally with NFL, MLB, youth athletes, coaches and trainers. * Collaborated with signature professional athletes such as Ken Griffey Jr, Alex Rodriguez, Jerry Rice on statement products

* Created performance Football and Baseball shoes from athlete insight, to concept sketch, to tech-pack, through production. * Traveled domestically and internationally for market research and Asia production development trips * Responsible for Nike Footwear Design Internship program which included college correspondence, portfolio reviews and acquiring talent throughout the year