Nike - 2016 Olympics

Howard Lichter, NIKE Global Creative Director, visited the Design and Life Sciences Schools to brief Northumbria University students from Fashion Marketing, Design for Industry and Sports Science courses as part of their ‘Sponsored Studio’, global creative outreach programme.

About the 'Sponsored Studio'

Nike have put together a team of designers and specialists to support and mentor this project, several of whom will visit our Campus during the project. This is a group project involving undergraduate students from Design for Industry, Fashion Marketing and Sports Science.

There will be a series of interim reviews via Skype (or similar means) during the design development, as well as an online project space where design concept materials can be uploaded and shared with team members and Nike staff for review and feedback.

Assignment

The challenge for this brief is to "Change the Olympic Experience for the coach, Athlete, Fan or Trainer for the Rio 2016 Olympics".

Idea generation sessions will be held with mixed groups from all courses involved in the project where they will compare and contrast the sporting disciplines and events for the London 2012 Olympic games to the core sports of the Nike product ranges. They will explore what opportunities there are in the sport disciplines that Nike is already involved in; what new areas can they delve in to; and research whether there is an Olympic sport that is a good fit for Nike (brand ethos, attitude and tone).

Students will be examining the potential to enhance or improve an Olympic sport for any/some/all of the following - athlete, coach, fan, trainer, and perhaps officials.

They will explore how Nike can increase the enjoyment of an activity through integration of technology, materials and performance.

With support from Nike staff and specialists as well at Northumbria University staff. Students will discover, develop and deliver exciting and engaging design propositions to the set challenge.