Under Armour Next Academy
A bold new athletic accelerator program launched at the iconic Battersea Power Station in London.
Unveiled by Under Armour athlete Anthony Joshua, the Under Armour Next Academy in London will play home to an athletic programme designed to identify, train, and develop London’s young athletes and sports leaders of tomorrow.
UA Next is an ecosystem that makes young team sports athletes better by giving them the ultimate tools to train, compete, and recover. While only 12 will officially become UA Next Athletes from the selection process, many tens of thousands more will benefit from the testing and training provided at the Battersea Power Station Brand House & online. The programme is free to access to those between the ages of 16 and 20 years old and the successful 12 will win a year-long contract with Under Armour.
As Creative Director on the project I was responsible for working with a team of 3D and 2D designers to steer the aesthetic and interior design of the space and integrating tech and art commissions to elevate the premium tone of the Academy. Working closely with a select group of production delivery partners I spent three weeks onsite in the run up to launch checking everything from concrete wall finishings to custom signage and floor finishes.
The visual centrepiece for the UA Next Academy is the UK-first deployment of two transparent Nano screens that display custom digital content which I directed in collaboration with Elmntl. Output to these two colossal screens gives an overview of the UA Next program with phase two content scheduled that will unpack the six individual athletic tests used to gauge the potential of next gen talent.
Further visual impact was provided with a custom art wall commission from Canadian visual artist and muralist Aaron Li-Hill, who created a bold abstract evocation of athleticism and movement to inspire athletes while they test and train.
