Nemo Design
Portland-based brand design agency and creative workshop serving active-lifestyle and culture-oriented brands.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Nemo Design is an independent brand design agency and creative workshop headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1999 by designer Jeff Bartel, snowboarding photographer Trevor Graves, and Chris Hotz, the firm grew out of the action-sports and snowboard-design community. The three founders had worked at Morrow Snowboards before the company was acquired by K2 Skis and their positions were eliminated. Their experience in snowboard graphics, photography, art direction, and youth-oriented culture shaped Nemo’s early focus and helped distinguish it from conventional advertising agencies. The name Nemo comes from the Latin word for “no one.” The founders selected it to suggest a collective identity rather than a personality-led consultancy; using their surnames, they felt, could make the business sound like a law firm. This emphasis on group creativity became part of Nemo’s stated culture. The agency has described its approach as “collective progression,” reflecting the belief that collaboration produces stronger work than isolated individual effort. Nemo’s capabilities have extended well beyond traditional logo design. Its work has included brand strategy and consulting, visual identities, product and snowboard graphics, packaging, catalogs, retail environments, advertising, motion graphics, photography, digital experiences, websites, and content development. The company has been particularly associated with active-lifestyle, outdoor, action-sports, youth-culture, and consumer brands, while also working with clients in footwear, automotive recreation, technology, entertainment, and retail. Nike was among Nemo’s early clients. The agency worked on Nike All Conditions Gear, Nike Skateboarding, and the former Nike 6.0 action-sports brand, producing campaign materials, press kits, packaging, websites, and other communications. Other clients and collaborators have included Adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Ecko Unlimited, Robotfood, Smith Optics, Converse, Hewlett-Packard, JVC, Mammoth Mountain, Mattel’s Hot Wheels, Oakley, Bell Helmets, MasterCraft, and Deus Ex Machina. In 2013, Converse appointed Nemo its North American retail agency of record after an initial period of collaboration. Nemo subsequently supported the retail launch of the CONS lifestyle sneaker collection and contributed retail elements to a Converse and Deus Ex Machina collaboration. The firm has maintained a Portland base since the early 2000s, operating from Southeast Belmont Street in the Buckman neighborhood. Its workplace culture has included employee access to skateboarding, a company boat on the Willamette River, conventional benefits, and a program known as Skateboard Wednesdays or Nemo Nooners. The agency has also used its studio as a venue for exhibitions, panels, fundraisers, screenings, and cultural events, reinforcing its position within Portland’s design, music, skateboarding, snowboarding, and creative communities. Nemo’s work has received recognition from the Davey Awards, Portland Advertising Federation Rosey Awards, Print Rocks, the Clio Awards, Communication Arts, the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, and other design and advertising programs. It was also included in workplace and agency rankings by Oregon Business, Outside, and Advertising Age. Public reference material identifies Bartel and Graves as continuing principals, with Bartel serving as executive art director and Graves as president; Mark Lewman joined as a partner and creative director in 2008. The available sources do not establish current ownership, financial results, or a complete current executive roster.
History
Nemo Design was created in Portland in 1999 by Jeff Bartel, Trevor Graves, and Chris Hotz. The founders came from Morrow Snowboards, where Bartel had been an art director and Graves had worked as a snowboarding photographer. After Morrow was acquired by K2 Skis and the founders lost their positions, they formed a new studio focused on the visual language and cultural networks of snowboarding and other action sports. They chose “Nemo,” meaning “no one” in Latin, to communicate a collective rather than surname-based identity. The company developed as a hybrid agency and workshop. Its work crossed brand identity, product graphics, advertising, packaging, editorial design, photography, motion, websites, retail, and consulting. This breadth reflected the founders’ belief that active-lifestyle brands needed coherent systems across products, media, events, and physical spaces. Nike was one of Nemo’s earliest major clients, including work for All Conditions Gear, Nike Skateboarding, and Nike 6.0. The firm also built relationships with Adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Ecko Unlimited, Robotfood, and Smith Optics. In 2004, Smith confirmed a broad engagement covering brand strategy and visual communications. Nemo’s advertising and design work expanded during the 2000s. Its collaboration with Lobo on Nike 6.0 television spots used animated perspectives from skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing. The agency received repeated Davey Awards for Nike-related work and earned Portland Rosey Awards for Nike campaigns including “The Compass,” “Superball,” and “Vertigo.” By 2008, Mark Lewman had joined as a partner and creative director. Chris Hotz later departed in the early 2010s, leaving Bartel, Graves, and Lewman as the principal leadership group described in contemporary coverage. The agency became increasingly embedded in Portland’s creative and cultural scene. It had been based at 1875 Southeast Belmont Street since approximately 2004 and used the studio for exhibitions, forums, fundraisers, screenings, and design-community events. Its internal culture emphasized shared experiences and informal creative exchange. Employee programs included weekly skateboarding sessions at Commonwealth Skateboarding Park and access to a company boat on the Willamette River. Nemo also hosted events connected with music, snowboarding, BMX, photography, Design Week Portland, and the Everything Is Festival. Client work continued across footwear, outdoor recreation, consumer technology, entertainment, and retail. In 2013 Converse named Nemo its North American agency of record for retail. The agency supported the retail presentation and launch of the CONS lifestyle sneaker collection, including the Aerojam, Anarchy, and Star Player Plus models, and had earlier contributed retail elements to a Converse and Deus Ex Machina collaboration. Other notable work included MasterCraft product and brand materials, Nike packaging and press kits, Smith Optics catalogs and brand books, and digital and motion projects. Nemo received further recognition in the 2010s. Its MasterCraft work earned Clio, Communication Arts, Rosey, and AICP-related recognition, while Nike packaging was honored by Print Rocks. Oregon Business included the agency among its green workplaces in 2009. Outside ranked Nemo among its best places to work and best advertising jobs in 2015, citing its distinctive employee amenities. Advertising Age also recognized it as a leading small agency in the Northwestern United States. Available reference material confirms the firm’s Portland identity and major historical work, but does not provide audited financial information, ownership data, or a definitive present-day staffing and leadership list.
- 2015
Nemo receives agency and workplace honors
[1]Advertising Age recognized Nemo among small agencies of the year, while Outside ranked it highly among workplaces and advertising jobs.
- 2014
MasterCraft work receives major industry recognition
[1]Nemo-related MasterCraft projects received recognition from programs including the Clio Awards, Communication Arts, and AICP.
- 2013
Converse appoints Nemo retail agency of record
[1]Nemo assumed North American retail agency responsibilities for Converse.
- 2010
Nemo hosts I Am Snowboarding exhibition
[1]The Portland studio hosted the traveling exhibition and related product raffle, attracting more than 500 visitors.
- 2008
Mark Lewman joins as partner
[1]Lewman became a partner and creative director.
- 2004
Smith Optics engagement announced
[1]Smith Optics selected Nemo for branding, marketing strategy, advertising, catalog, and point-of-sale design.
- 1999
Nemo Design is established
[1]Jeff Bartel, Trevor Graves, and Chris Hotz founded the Portland agency after leaving Morrow Snowboards following its acquisition by K2 Skis.
Products and positioning
Collaborative, culture-led brand design for active-lifestyle, outdoor, action-sports, youth-culture, and consumer brands.
Professional service · 1999
Brand strategy and identity
Nemo develops positioning, visual identity systems, brand guidelines, and related strategic materials for consumer, outdoor, action-sports, and culture-led organizations. The work is generally integrated with product, packaging, retail, and communications rather than limited to a standalone logo.
Advertising and creative services · 1999
Integrated campaigns and content
The agency produces campaign concepts and executions across print, packaging, motion, photography, digital media, websites, and video. Historical examples include Nike 6.0 advertising and press materials, as well as content and communications for MasterCraft and other active-lifestyle clients.
Retail and packaging services · 1999
Retail and packaging design
Nemo designs retail systems, point-of-sale materials, catalogs, packaging, and launch communications. Its Converse engagement included retail support for the CONS sneaker collection, while its Smith Optics and Nike work included catalogs, packaging, and sales materials.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013CONS lifestyle sneaker retail launch
United States
As Converse’s North American retail agency, Nemo supported the launch of the Aerojam, Anarchy, and Star Player Plus shoes in major athletic-footwear retailers.
Outcome. The appointment expanded Nemo’s Converse business and made the brand a significant share of the agency’s reported work at the time.
- 2007The Compass, Superball, and Vertigo
United States
These Nike 6.0 campaign projects used illustration and advertising-art treatments associated with skateboarding, snowboarding, and other action sports.
Outcome. The projects received three Portland Rosey Awards across poster, single illustration, and illustration-series categories.
- 2006Nike 6.0 advertising and sales materials
United States
Nemo received Portland advertising recognition for online advertising and sales materials produced for Nike, building on its broader relationship with Nike’s action-sports businesses.
Outcome. The work contributed to multiple later awards for Nemo’s Nike portfolio.
Brand decisions
2013
Accept Converse North American retail agency-of-record roleStrategyBackground
Converse had previously handled retail responsibilities internally, while Nemo had already collaborated with the brand on retail elements and a Converse–Deus Ex Machina project.
Action taken
Nemo took responsibility for North American retail work and supported the CONS lifestyle sneaker rollout.
Aftermath
Contemporary reporting said Converse represented approximately one-quarter of Nemo’s business after the appointment; no independently verified financial figure is available here.
Recent events
- 2015
Nemo named an Advertising Age small agency of the year[1]
Other
The agency received a silver regional recognition in Advertising Age’s small-agency awards for the Northwestern United States.
- 2014
Nemo hosts benefit for photographer Chris Brunkhart[1]
Other
Nemo and Trevor Graves organized an auction and benefit that raised more than $50,000 for snowboarding photographer Chris Brunkhart and his family after his cancer diagnosis.
- 2013
Nemo becomes Converse North American retail agency of record[1]
Leadership change
Converse appointed Nemo to lead North American retail responsibilities after the two companies had collaborated on retail and product-launch work.
- 2008
Nemo adds Mark Lewman as partner and creative director[1]
Leadership change
Mark Lewman joined the agency’s leadership, expanding its creative direction and principal group.
- 2004
Smith Optics partners with Nemo for brand and marketing work[1]
Other
Smith Optics engaged Nemo to advise on branding and marketing strategy and to develop visual materials including advertising, catalogs, and point-of-sale content.
- 1999
Nemo Design founded in Portland after Morrow Snowboards layoffs[1]
Other
Jeff Bartel, Trevor Graves, and Chris Hotz established Nemo Design after their work at Morrow Snowboards ended following its acquisition by K2 Skis.
Sources2 sources
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