Famed Nike Shoe Designer Tinker Hatfield Talks Motorcycles

Sneakerheads around the world know Tinker Hatfield as the iconic designer behind the Air Jordan line and some of Nike's most popular silhouettes over the last 30 years. Fewer know him as a family man, outdoorsman, musician and avid motorcyclist. We recently sat with Tinker in his Portland warehouse to discuss his creative process, the relationship between shoe design and car and bike design and his passion for Italian motorcycles.

Tinker Hatfield is Nike's vice president for Design and Special Projects and has been responsible for a large chunk of the most iconic sneaker designs in popular culture. He is revered by sneakerheads for Air Jordan models 3 to 15, Air Max 1, and Air Trainer. While many know him for his design work, few know that he is an avid motorcyclist and at times looks to motorcycle and automotive design for inspiration. We are told he is a reader of Cycle World. Thanks for reading, Tinker!

Recently he sat down with Gabe Yeh of the creative agency Colorblind to talk about his creative design process. From his private studio in Portland, Oregon, the discussion turns to motorcycles. Hatfield recalls how Michael Jordan shamed him into moving up from scooters to motorcycle, why he enjoys riding so much, and how motorcycles influence popular culture.

[wanderlpnw]

He should start a motorcycle boot company. Everything on the market that works looks terrible.

[mutantesS]

I thought he was going to talk about motorcycles...still, good content.

[upsidedowndog]

Bad day to put anything Nike related out. No offense to this gentleman or Cycleworld.

[chasstiles]

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