Looking Outwards-01

Nike recently built a running stadium in Singapore where participants on the track ran next to an LED wall. After one lap, a digital avatar of the participant’s body from the previous lap is shown and the participant can run against the same pace or try and beat it. What I admire about this project is the interdisciplinary approach to designing and configuring the abstract concept of racing against and trying to beat one’s best self. This was a large-scale project with the key members being a creative director, creative technologist, art director, and tech and building teams. Aste Gutierrez is credited with the idea and creation of what this project is known as, the Nike Unlimited Stadium. A radio-frequency identification software was designed and personalized for the project which allowed for the tracking of each individual on each step on each lap. I see this project as a catalyst to combine the worlds of virtual gaming and physical gaming where the negative characteristics of both are taken away.