With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics on the way, we at +81 decided to do what is our first issue focusing on sports brands and graphics.

Kicking things off is a feature with Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield packed with never-before-heard stories of the development of the Air Jordan III-XV series along with a look at some incredibly rare design sketches. There are also interviews with key figures from other innovative sports brands and artists involved in all kinds of athletic collaborations. All of these provide a fleshed-out and multilateral view of what goes into a sports brand in terms of philosophy, raison d’ etre, and product development based in scientific analysis.

The second part of the issue puts the spotlight on photographers and illustrators who work in sports and produce creations that show off the beauty and appeal of athleticism.

We then finish things off with a look at skateboarding, snowboarding, BMX, and other extreme sports brands known for their unique artwork and graphics. Along with exploring their history and concepts, we also chronicle their iconic

imagery from their earliest days up to the present.

This is an issue for seeing, feeling, and understanding what makes sports brands and graphics so fun and profound.