The phrases of artist, author, and illustrator Timothy Goodman have populated partitions, buildings, packaging, sneakers, clothes, books, journal covers, and galleries all around the world for manufacturers together with Apple, Google, MoMA, Netflix, Tiffany & Co., Samsung, Uniqlo, Goal, The New Yorker and The New York Occasions. Now the prolific artist can add Nike and Brooklyn Nets basketball legend and Kevin Durant to his already enviably record of shoppers. Tim’s first sneaker for Durant— aptly titled the “Nike Timothy Goodman KD 15”— drops immediately. That includes his signature text-based illustrations, the sneaker honors the borough KD performs in and New York Metropolis total. Debbie Millman had an opportunity to interview him the night earlier than the launch.
Your model new Nike shoe is dropping immediately! Congratulations! You created a brand new present for NBA Brooklyn Nets basketball participant Kevin Durant. How did this mission come about?
In 2020, I drew throughout and designed a basketball court docket for the scholars at PS 315 in Brooklyn in collaboration with KD’s charity basis. They refurbished b-ball courts throughout communities within the U.S. In early 2021, Nike and the KD workforce reached out to me to create the artwork for his newest colorway with Nike.
This isn’t your first shoe—however is it your first sneaker? How was this completely different?
As a large NBA fan, KD fan, and a proud New Yorker, this entire course of has been a literal dream of mine. As one of many solely impartial visible artists to create a Nike basketball shoe, I’m fairly beside myself making a shoe with one of many best b-ball gamers to ever do it.
What was the method of working with each Nike and Kevin Durant like?
A dream. For the reason that thought was fairly baked in due to the court docket, it was a straightforward course of as soon as we obtained going with paintings.
Many giant conglomerates will co-op the visible languages that impartial artists make and push into the zeitgeist, selecting to create one thing internally as an alternative. And the truth that KD and Nike each got here to me to collaborate on that is one thing I don’t take evenly. I hope extra manufacturers do that going ahead.
I do know you have been already a basketball fan. How did your love of the sport affect your paintings?
Most NBA sneakers are principally ugly. And those which might be cool trying are meant for efficiency, for the sport. I needed to create a sneaker that may each stand out on the court docket and be one thing you’d need to put on within the streets. The one problem was to make the artwork as impactful as doable on such a small canvas.
Your artwork honors each Brooklyn and New York Metropolis on the whole. You might be additionally a New Yorker. How did your information of the town affect your paintings?
Effectively as a New Yorker, I needed to take advantage of distinctive, freshest basketball shoe I’ve ever seen. I needed to create a bit of artwork in your ft, one thing that represented BK and NYC in your ft, wherever you might be. The colours I select are a homage to Brooklyn and to the ’80s vibes I grew up with. I attempted over 150 variations of colours!
The sneaker is named the “Nike Timothy Goodman KD15.” That’s fairly superb. Who’s thought was that?
My supervisor and publicist! I’m fortunate.
You even have a brand new e book popping out quickly—inform us about that!
It’s known as I At all times Assume It’s Eternally! It’s a graphic memoir about love, heartbreak, relationship, threat, therapeutic, masculinity, and the way I lastly confirmed up for myself. It’s centered round how I went to Paris for a 12 months in 2019. All of the artwork, poetry, graphs, writing, and the design of the e book was be created by me. It comes out January 31, 2023, and you may preorder now!
