Steve Wilson

Designing Iconic Brands for Sports & Entertainment Companies | NASCAR, DI Colleges, AF1 | 2x Published Author

Clarksville, Tennessee, United States

About

For more than 20 years, I've built brands for organizations like NASCAR, the University of Arizona, the Nashville Kats, the UFL, and Austin Peay State University...the kind of brands that hold up under stadium lights and national broadcasts. In 2018, I authored "The Why of Sports Design," a leading book on sports design for professionals. It is currently serving as a textbook for Sports Communication courses at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Syracuse University. My book has been read in more than 20 countries across 5 continents. My second book, "The Why of Graphic Design," was released in June 2024. My thoughts on design have been published in The New York Times, HOW Magazine, and theScore.com. I’m passionate about leading teams, pushing creative boundaries, and crafting foundationally sound work that performs, not just looks good. If you're leading a sports or entertainment organization that needs brand work done at the highest level, I'd welcome a conversation.

Experience

  • Owner / Designer at Score Creative
    Jan 2011 - Present · 15 yrs 6 mos

    Score Creative is a creative studio specializing in design and brand strategy for sports and entertainment companies. Score has worked with national, regional, and local clients such as NASCAR, the UFL, Cadillac F1 Team, the Nashville Kats, Visit Clarksville TN, the University of Arizona Wildcats, and the Austin Peay Governors. We offer branding strategy, logo design, digital campaigns, and web design. Steve has also authored two books on design. "The Why of Sports Design" was released in 2018 and serves as a textbook at two DI universities in their sports communication programs. Steve's newest book, "The Why of Graphic Design," was released in May 2024.

  • Art Director at JCM Management, Inc
    Sep 2024 - Feb 2025 · 6 mos

    As Art Director, I was responsible for all facets of graphic design and art direction for the JCM family of companies, including JCM's NHRA racing teams, Leatherwood Distillery, Michael Waltrip Brewing and the Shelby's Trio group of restaurants.

  • Digital Media Specialist at Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Inc.
    Aug 2021 - Sep 2024 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    Graphic design for print, web and social. Social media management and communication across most platforms. Video production and animation. Photography. Website design, development and management.

  • Austin Peay State University (17 yrs 8 mos)
    • Adjunct Professor, Communication
      Aug 2007 - Aug 2021 · 14 yrs 1 mo

      Adjunct Professor of Integrated Corporate Communication, Media Imaging/Adobe Photoshop and Web Design, APSU Communication Department.

    • Assistant Director for Web and Multimedia Design
      Jan 2004 - Jul 2010 · 6 yrs 7 mos

      Web designer for all Internet and Intranet sites. Duties also include code and database development, supervision of all University Web sites, print and identity design for all athletic teams and commercial and internal video production.

  • Web and Graphic Designer at Montgomery County Government
    Aug 2010 - Jun 2012 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Design and development of Montgomery County website (http://www.mcgtn.org). Rebranding of county identity system. Social media setup and promotion. Video production.