Mark Parker (CEO, Nike Inc.) on Innovation and Design

Exclusive Interview with CEO of Nike, Inc. Mark Parker on Innovation and Design

Nike CEO Mark Parker has a more intimate connection with the design process than your average executive, as he originally signed on as a footwear designer before working his way up the ranks. At this month's NFL launch event, Core77 caught up with the man who oversees Nike's multibillion-dollar empire--and a staff of some 700 designers, not to mention the external creatives whom Nike consults with--to talk big-picture design.

In the video below, Parker describes how Nike observes and collects data from the athletes they work with and injects that into the design process; how co-founder Bill Bowerman's relentless inventorship continues to inform Nike's ethos today; how footwear continues to evolve through advances in materials science; why sustainability and impact is a big part of Nike's design process; and the importance of designers remaining connected to the world for which they design.

[mershell]

i just came to hear how nike is pronounced ;DD

[gilsukim]

I liked Mark's comment on design and its strategy connected to the world. He said, “designers by definition, if they are really good, and if they are on their game so to speak, are very connected to what’s going on in the world and that connection to what’s happening and what could happen really needs to be part of how we shape our strategy of the company"

[pf]

ty for the info and the inspiration love it

[mattandree]

Nike has 700 designers working for them, holy cow, my gf in college was Japanese and she studied design

[shc]

Naiki wow is true i though the correct pronounciation was Naik haha

[santoshpriyan]

just one thing mr Parker I'm coming for you

[ross]

Mark, you need to get some more sleep dog... oh and HIRE ME!

[arricammarques]

CEO Mark Parker earned $14.53 million last year. Vietnamese Nike worker earn 34 cents per hour. It would take them 20, 435 years to match Mark's level.

[mirandasummerset]

Nike should do a deal with WWE, lol kinda tired of the NFL guys getting everything

[mikeleibrealestatetrust]

bauer sold for only $200 million that is embarrassing.

[RyaNewGame]

Mark, you're insane. From this day on, Imma say instead of Mike, Mikey, instead of bike, bikey, strike, strikey, like, likey, hike, hickey, and so on.

[TNMUSlC]

Hate this guy....Support sweat shop in a sick way!

[AnnaMishel]

Nike is great at design . . Innovation? No way!

[AnnaMishel]

Nike Innovation? Not so much!
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