Friday 25 Jul 2008 - 14:58
Design agency Accept & Proceed has tapped some of the top illustration talent working currently to create a series of trainers for Nike. Illustrators commissioned for the project include Jon Burgerman, Andy Forshaw, Oliver Hibert, Steve Wilson.
We spoke to the agency to get the lowdown on the project.
What was the brief from Nike?
"We were approached by Nike's head of european Andre Doxey in January 2007 with a view to start discussion on how we might help generate ideas and designs which could tell stories through iconic pieces of historic Nike footwear. Most of the themes that we came up with celebrated the innovation and technology found within Nike's footwear products.
"Some of the themes of these stories were 'Seduced by Innovation' and 'Recognise the Original'. As well as creating designs and illustrations for application to the product ourselves, we also selected and art-directed third party creatives to help tell these stories."
How did you choose the illustrators?
"We love illustration and as a consequence we know a lot of illustrators. Our A&P project has also put us in touch with creatives all over the world. We often dip into this archive to choose young, often relatively-unknown illustrators to collaborate with on projects."
What brief did you give them?
"There was two themes, 'Recognise the Original' and 'Seduced by Innovation'. These were concepts already developed at Nike, and was the starting point for exploration of the themes. We then art-directed our chosen illustrators to get designs that we could use."
How did the illustrators supply their designs to you?
"Mainly Illustrator/Photoshop files, but some illustrators still sketch with a pencil, then scan [them in] for approval before working up the designs. They were given a trainer template too, but told to ignore it."
How were the designs physically applied to the trainers?
"The product designers in Nike create the fabrics. We didn't really get involved the technical side of this. We supplied them with Illustrator and Photoshop files."
How will the trainers be used?
"The designs we have created are hitting the Footlocker stores over the coming months, and were applied to footwear [for use as] point-of-sale and online marketing items.
"This is the first of a number of ongoing projects that we're working to be available in the shops."
Check out photos of the trainers below.
Designed by Jon Burgerman.
Designed by Andy Forshaw.
Designed by Steve Hibert
Designed by Steve Wilson.
Designed by Accept & Proceed.
Digital Arts Staff
For more information see the Accept & Proceed Web site.
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