Rick Maderis

About Rick Maderis

I design for the intersection of high-performance gear and street-level culture. Focused on sport and the outdoors, I create products that look good on the court, live in a gallery, and perform on a mountain. I am also an artist driven by meaning, value, and a passion for self-expression.Beyond the aesthetic, my work is rooted in technical execution and market scale. I specialize in bridging the gap between high-concept brand storytelling and the complex systems required to drive eight-figure revenue cycles. Whether building for the mountain or the street, I am driven by a passion for meaningful craft and the commercial power of well-executed design.Professional Experience & ExpertiseHigh-Impact Design: Nike, Jordan, Adidas, New Era Cap, and Curry Brand.End-to-End Product Creation: Expertise in footwear construction, graphics, color, and technical manufacturing; creating schematics for footwear, apparel, and accessories.Strategic Storytelling: Translating athlete insights into authentic narratives for senior leadership and external partners.Creative Agility: Expert in Adobe CC and emerging AI spaces; navigating ambiguity to deliver high-performance results.Core Disciplines: Graphic design, print & pattern, color theory, and brand identity.Education & Pedigree: B.A. in Graphic Design; Pensole Footwear Design Alum.Entrepreneurial VenturesBurnside Knives and IIVNI Eyewear were born from a drive to master the full product lifecycle—balancing conceptual beauty with rigorous utility. As a cross-disciplinary artist and writer, building these brands from the ground up allowed me to develop a unique \"founder’s lens.\" I’ve learned to bridge the gap between expressive creative execution and measurable commercial success, and I’m looking to bring that same entrepreneurial rigor and market-tested design fluencies to a dedicated internal team.Beyond the StudioOutside of work, I am a Dad, Partner, Writer, and Ally. I\'m happy to trade cooking recipes for music recommendations and find myself continuously learning new things.

Experience

1. Founder

   Burnside Knives

   Mar 2015 — Present · Portland, OR, US

   Burnside Knives launched in 2015 to merge form, function and style.https://burnsideknives.com/Unexpected collaborations and midnight drops include Cheech & Chong, Deadstock Coffee, See See Motorcycles, STLHD Fishing, and STAMPD. Partnerships with Bespoke Post and Blade HQ are paired with earned features in Hypebeast, Maxim, and Cool Material.Trademarks:BURNSIDE PDX USA®YOUR KNIFE SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU®TEARZERO®

Education

• The Art Institutes

  Bachelors of Science, Graphic Design

  2001 — 2004

• PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy

  Certificate of Completion, Sole of Oregon

  2014 — 2014

Skills

• Graphics
• Graphic Design
• Fashion
• Creative Direction
• Apparel
• Concept Development
• Brand Development
• Illustration
• Typography
• Visual Communication