I was approached by Plazm to help design and create a media kit for Nike to announce their new release of the Sister One+ training shoe, aimed at young women atheletes. Nike wanted to convey the aspects that "Training equals strength" and that a young woman's strength comes from believing in herself. This project took the form of a book and a series of posters focusing on the mythological and scientific aspects of what is to be an athelete.
Going back to classical antiquity, Diana, goddess of the Hunt and of the Moon, is seen as a figure of strength; a good role model for active young women. She hunts with a bow and was surely the inspiration for Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire, from the Hunger Games movies.
I believe this connection exists because the myth of the Diana-like huntress Atalanta (on the left) and the Winged Victory at Samothrace (on the right) is seen as a statue of the goddess Nike Athena. FT Marinetti in his "Futurist Manifesto": "We affirm that the world’s magnificence has been enriched by a new beauty: the beauty of speed. A racing car whose hood is adorned with great pipes, like serpents of explosive breath—a roaring car that seems to ride on grapeshot is more beautiful than the Victory of Samothrace." That he called attention to the automobile in comparison to the still awesome power of the Winged Victory is interesting.
So I approached the task of conveying the quantitative scientific data necessary for reviews with the format of a scrapbook or journal such a young athelete my keep. The contrast of the science with the fun of the presentation mirrors that contrast and challenge young women face: how do I find strength within training while still remaining feminine. The colors and approache were chosen to be as light as possible to keep up this airy, winged effect.
Sample Spreads from the Book. Notice the structure of the shoes and the feet in running echoing the gesture of the statue of Atalanta. This book design was ultimately not chosen by the client, but still serves as a great example of the rich tradition that a young woman, training in athletics, can connect to.