Nike: Better Is Temporary

In its relentless drive to problem-solve, push innovation, and enhance athletic performance, there’s no question that Nike is at the top of its game. That drive, as exemplified by the story of Breaking2, the company’s attempt at setting a marathon record under two hours, opens the book. Every aspect of the performance of a group of elite athletes was examined, evaluated, and tested repeatedly, with the goal of designing footwear and apparel for maximum performance. That same research-driven, single-minded focus is evident in subsequent chapters; these cover Nike’s collaborations, technological advances, marketing campaigns, and advances in adaptive wear and sustainability, revealing an uncompromising ethos. Hundreds of pages of sketches, prototypes, and photos of products (all labeled and often accompanied by extensive captions) illustrate this handsomely designed history.