Matthew Rhoades is one of the most accomplished and respected design minds in the Pacific Northwest. As a veteran of several global design studios and former Nike Global Creative Director, Matthew’s award-winning career encompasses more than two decades, 40+ patents, 6 world records, and multiple global design awards. Achievement highlights include an IDEA Gold Metal, a Newsweek “Product of the Year,” and designing the Trek Y-Bike, named “Third most influential mountain bike of all time.” In addition to his work as an industrial designer, he holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management and has spent over 18 years as an adjunct professor, faculty member and speaker. His experience transcends traditional industrial design products, encompassing digital (UI/UX), brand strategy, cutting-edge innovation, new business strategy, and overall design excellence.

 

Matthew A. Rhoades wasn’t the best student. In hindsight, it’s good that he focused on getting his go kart up to 70 MPH instead of his homework. Having received more than 40 patents, from a heralded Trek mountain bike frame to Sony flat panel displays, it’s clearly worked out for him. That didn’t come, however, without first getting comfortable with his own methodology—inductive versus deductive reasoning—and convincing a parade of bosses who did things the opposite way.

 

Now Matthew leads the design of Nike’s baseball equipment, and tackles the big, scary questions as the founder of MatteLab, where they experiment with disruptive designs for objects as well established as scissors and swim goggles. 

Honors and Awards:

Achievement highlights include an IDEA Gold Metal, a Newsweek “Product of the Year,” and designing the Trek Y-Bike, named “Third most influential mountain bike of all time.”

IDSA Gold medal for Trek Y-Bike project, 1996

Red Dot Award for Atomic Aquatic premium dive mask. 2004

Winner of first ever "Bo Jackson MVP" award for all of equipment at Nike. 2007

Over 40+ design and utility patents across over 10 product platforms.

Product designs have 6 world records.

 

Education:

Industrial Design / Product Design -Bachelor of Science (B.S.)-ArtCenter College of Design, 1990-1993

Entrepreneurial Management / New Product Development focus -Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)-Marylhurst University, 2012-2015

 

Work Experience:

MatteLab Founder / Chief Creative

Nike Global Creative Director

Lifestyledesign VP of Design

Fox Racing Design Director, Racewear

Frog Digital Design Director

Trek Bicycle Senior Designer

Teague Design Internship

 

Teaching Experience:

PNCA, Pacific Northwest College of Art 2017-present

Lewis & Clark College 2016- present

Beijing University of Technology SUMMER 2016

University of Orego 2015- present

PENSOLE Academy of Footwear Design 2009- present

Art Center College of Design 2009- present

California College of the Arts 1997-2003

 

Guest Speaker Experience:

Academy of Art University 1998-1999

Center for Creative Studies 1999

University of Wisconsin-Stout 1993-1997

Western Washington University 1996

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design 1993

Tencent SUMMER 2016-“Future Think”, talk at Design Week.

Huawei FALL 2016-“Future of Wearables”, guest speaker at world headquarters. 

The founder and creative director of MatteLab

Served as the product design instructor of ArtCenter College of Design

Served as the global creative director of Nike