BRETT GOLLIFF
Good People. Good Design

Headshot

Brett Golliff | Creator

I am a creator. My passion for design has taken me from sketching sneakers as a kid to shaping the aesthetics of some of the most iconic automobiles. With a career spanning over two decades, my journey is a testament to my relentless pursuit of innovation and my dedication to the art of creation.

Early Inspiration and Artistic Beginnings

From a young age, I was captivated by design—particularly in footwear and automobiles. Sneakers and cars weren’t just products to me; they were expressions of identity, performance, and culture. That early fascination laid the foundation for my career, where I’ve continuously pushed the boundaries of both form and function.

Professional Journey and Achievements

My journey as a designer has been anything but conventional. While at New Balance, I was part of the Advanced Product Group, where I learned the technicalities of design and developed a deep understanding of the tech running market. This role opened my eyes to the power of independent brands—how being small can resonate deeply with specific consumers and why agility in design matters. It was here that I truly learned how to design within a team, collaborate across disciplines, and build products that merge innovation with purpose.

At the same time, I spent countless late nights honing my craft, sharing my process online at a time when blogging was just beginning to connect creative communities. That transparency—documenting my evolution as a designer—resonated with people, expanding my network in ways I never expected. Before long, I was being recruited by multiple companies, including Adidas and Nike. But it was an unexpected opportunity from General Motors that changed everything.

GM offered me the chance to work on what I consider to be an American icon—the Corvette. I couldn’t pass it up. I saw my career path in two ways: I knew that if I worked hard enough, I could find my way back to footwear. But a chance to shape the Corvette? That wasn’t guaranteed. That was once in a lifetime.

I spent 11 years at General Motors, transitioning from footwear to automotive interiors before leading Chevrolet Performance Vehicles for four years. That role evolved into a global leadership position, where I was responsible for Chevrolet’s entire design language worldwide as well as the groundbreaking GMC Hummer EV program. I was deeply embedded in the Corvette C6-C8 evolution, with the mid-engine Corvette becoming a defining moment in my career. My work focused on material innovation, introducing an athlete-centric aesthetic to some of the most legendary performance cars ever built.

Even while immersed in automotive design, I never stopped creating footwear. GM encouraged me to keep designing, and I continued drawing sneakers at night—just as I had in my early days. That led me to consulting for some of the biggest footwear brands in the world, opening doors to work with emerging startups and, ultimately, to build something of my own.

In the summer of 2022, I took the leap. I left GM to create my own consultancy, working with Snibbs, Ethics, EQLZ, and expanding my roster of clients. This wasn’t just a career shift—it was a return to the essence of what drives me: creating with purpose, pushing boundaries, and shaping the future of design.

Educating the Next Generation

Beyond my own work, I’m committed to shaping the next generation of designers. As an instructor at the College for Creative Studies, I guide students through the creative process, encouraging innovation and pushing them to think beyond convention. Teaching has given me the opportunity to share not just technical skills, but a philosophy of design that is rooted in curiosity, storytelling, and problem-solving.

Philosophy and Approach

I thrive on creating. To me, design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about solving problems, shaping experiences, and forging an emotional connection with the consumer. I focus on making every project relevant and unique, always pushing for what sets a product apart. Whether designing footwear, automobiles, or brand identities, my goal is always the same: to create something that lasts, that matters, and that resonates.

In recent years, I’ve expanded my creative horizons. I joined EQLZ, a basketball-based startup, to create a line of basketball shoes built around the concept of “feel.” This project reflects everything I stand for—balancing form and function, aesthetics and performance, innovation and storytelling.

At the same time, I’ve been shaping the next wave of performance footwear with Snibbs—focusing on those who work on their feet. It starts with listening, forming, and captivating—bringing function first and emotion second to an industry that has long been underserved. By redefining what work footwear can be, Snibbs is bridging the gap between performance, comfort, and culture in a way that hasn’t been done before.

My career is a celebration of creativity, passion, and gratitude. Every project, every challenge, and every collaboration has been a step forward in my journey as a designer. I’m always looking ahead, eager to explore new frontiers, push boundaries, and continue creating in ways that inspire, innovate, and elevate design.

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EQLZ
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360 Process
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Color Trial : Phantom 001
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Color Trial : Black Myth 001
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Color Trial : Forest Green
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Color Trial : Duma 001 v2
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Color Trial : Duma 001 v1
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Color Trial : Cool Grey 001
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Color Trial : Ambrosia 001
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Wear-Test 004: Knit Trial
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Wear-Test 003
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Wear-Test 002
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Wear-Test 001
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Proto 004
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Proto 003
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Proto 002
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Proto 001
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ETHICS
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e3 Process
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Proto 004
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Proto 003
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Proto 002
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Proto 001
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lgTWO Process
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“ENVY F&F”
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“JET BLACK F&F”
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“MARITIME F&F”
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“ROYALTY”
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“5:00 AM”
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“ETHICS 2.0”
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“WU-TANG FOREVER”
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“TEAM PROTOTYPE”
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lgONE Process
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“HOLOJAMS”
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“ANYWHERE & EVERYWHERE”
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“SUPERHERO GUMBO”
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“SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY”
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“VISION MELON”
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“FROZEN CORAL”
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“ETHICS”
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Wear-Test 003
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Wear-Test 002
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Wear-Test 001
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SNIBBS
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“FOILAGE”
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“ILLY”
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“BLOOD ORANGE F&F EDITION”
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“LAUREL OAK F&F EDITION”
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“LUCENT” v2
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“PANE NERO” v2
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JUNE ’24 WEAR-TEST
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NRA WEAR-TEST
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COLOR VALIDATION
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“LUCENT” v1
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“LAUREL OAK” v1
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“ILLY” v1
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“PANE NERO” v1
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Proto 004
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Proto 003
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Proto 002
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Proto 001
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Clog Process
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“PISTACHIO”
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“BLUING”
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“SAND”
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Wear-Test 002
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Wear-Test 001
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Proto 005
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Proto 004
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Proto 003
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Proto 002
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Proto 001
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Slide Proto 001
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“ECLIPSE”
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Proto 002
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Proto 001
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“DS WEDDING TUXEDO”
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“LEOPARD”
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“LYNX”
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“SNOW LEOPARD”
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“BOA”
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“BIRTHDAY CAKE”
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“WINE TASTING”
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“SWEET PEA”
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“MARITIME BLUE”
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“SILVER SURFER”
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“NEBULA”
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“CHARCOAL”
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“BLACK SPECKLE”
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“ECLIPSE”
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“PASTA LIMONE “
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“DISNEY: TURNING RED FINALE”
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“DISNEY: TURNING RED”
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“DISNEY: LUCA FINALE”
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“DISNEY: LUCA”
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Full-Length Non-Slip Proto 001
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Wear-Test 002
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Wear-Test 001
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Proto 008
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Proto 007
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Proto 006
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Proto 005
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Proto 004
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Proto 003
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Proto 002
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Proto 001
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“ATN SE”
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Dress Proto 001
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SC Hybrid Proto 001
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“CASALENA”
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“PYTHON”
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“ORANGE SORBET”
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“PASTA LIMONE”
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“BLACK BEAUTY”
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“COFFEE”
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“IRON”
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“BLUING”
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“WHITE JADE”
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“WHITE SAND”
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Proto 001
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Kujo
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“JAX”
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“X1 LANDSCAPE BOOT”
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“YARD SHOE”
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ANTA
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“BUBBLES!”
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“GH1 VISION”
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“UFO EVOLUTION: v2 & v3”
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“LATTICE REVOLUTION”
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KT 5 “VISION”
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“PROJECT UFO”
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“UNIFIED DESIGN STUDIES”
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“CARBON FLIGHT”
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“FLASH FOAM”
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KT TEAM “VISION”
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KT LS “VISION”
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“STRAPS”
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KT4 “VISION”
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“FLIGHT FORMATIONS”
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MEDIA
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Nike Yeezy 3 Concept
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PERSONAL EXPLORATION
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CONCEPTKICKS X SURGEON
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Nike Kobe 9 Concept
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AIR JORDAN 2012 VISION