Client: Nike Tokyo Design Studio
Sports culture and creativity in the heart of Tokyo
“You don’t come to Tokyo to snap the views of architecture. The main attraction here is seeing how Japanese people put together a look."
SPORTS CULTURE & CREATIVITY
NIKE Tokyo Design Studio wanted to explore the intersections of street wear, creativity, and sports among Japanese youth.
INTO was commissioned for a visual and story-led exploration in the heart of Tokyo. This project had two main objectives. First, to explore where and how young people hang out, what matters to them, and how they express themselves within their communities. Second, to document urban sportswear culture as visual inspiration for a limited-edition sneaker release. Our team set out to find unexpected places where sports, style, and creativity coincide.
INTO x NIKE Tokyo Design Studio
THE JOURNEY: PHOTO BOOK
INTO produced a Hero photo-master book that portrays youth and movements in Tokyo’s diverse neighbourhoods. The Journey (limited edition, 250 in print) has 300 pages and contains more than 200 original photos.
CULTURE MAPPING
Through on-the-ground exploration, INTO found and spent time in unique locations across Tokyo where creativity and identity interlace. In one of these cultural hubs, Tokyo’s business district after dark, young people congregate to rehearse and perform hip-hop choreography. INTO spent time on the ground and delivered valuable insights into how culture and creativity interact with physical space in Tokyo.
VISUAL INSPIRATION
INTO provided Nike with thousands of photos and a series of documentary shorts on Tokyo’s sports scene and youth subcultures.
AUTHENTIC, AUDIENCE-READY CONTENT
This project provided visual inspiration for a collection of athletic footwear based on Tokyo youth and street culture. Photos and documentaries were used on Nike social media channels and in campaigns at the flagship store in Los Angeles.
“Innovation that challenges the industry and moves the game forward, telling the story of our heritage through sport.”
More Case Studies
