AMES, Iowa — Colin Behr, the senior product designer for Nike’s Jordan Brand Special Projects, is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Young Professional Award presented by the Iowa State University College of Design.

Established in 2020, this award recognizes College of Design alumni who received their most recent degree from Iowa State University within the past 10 years and have excelled in their professions early in their careers.

Behr, of Des Moines, graduated with a bachelor of industrial design and a bachelor of science in apparel, merchandising and design from Iowa State in 2015.

He will be recognized as part of Iowa State’s homecoming celebration at the ISU Alumni Association’s 93rd Honors and Awards Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. CT Friday, Nov. 1, at Stephens Auditorium in Ames and streamed live online. A dessert reception will follow. Both the ceremony and reception are free and open to the public.

Having joined Nike, Inc., following graduation from Iowa State, Behr has held several positions, including footwear designer I and II for Nike Sportswear and creative lead for footwear and apparel color concepts prior to his current role.

He has pioneered aesthetic ideas, influenced creative directions and participated in major projects such as the overall design plan for the Nike Joyride platform and various Air Max sneakers. As the senior product designer for Nike’s Jordan Brand Special Projects, Behr led the design of the 2024 Travis Scott Signature Footwear line and contributed to the 2024 Olympic color direction and creative direction for the Nike brand overall.

Behr and his wife, Mia, are also co-founders of Gōmbehr Studios, which received Vancouver, Washington’s Downtown Association Artist Grant for completion of two public murals. He leads art direction for the studio, including branding and social media, and manages contracts, business relationships, logistics and painting production.

From 2016 to 2023, Behr was a member of RunTrill, a team of international Nike designers with a love for making art and running relays, which donated more than $29,500 to the Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon in 2023.

He is an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association.

Contacts

Karlyn Rainey, Alumni Relations and Events Coordinator, College of Design, 515-294-5791, krainey@iastate.edu
Heather Sauer, Director of Strategic Communications, College of Design, 515-294-9289, hsauer@iastate.edu

 

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