Nike has unveiled a revolutionary collection of 13 shoe prototypes, termed the “Athlete Imagined Revolution” (A.I.R.) collection at a dazzling Paris event. The A.I.R. series represents an unprecedented design methodology that expertly blends insights from elite Nike athletes, AI tools, and the latest in digital creation technologies like 3D printing and computational modelling. Nike’s designers first interviewed their roster of professional athletes to comprehend their ideal shoe aspirations. These insights were then used to swiftly create AI-generated conceptual designs.
Each individual prototype design reflects the athlete’s style and requirements.
For instance, sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s design comprises a sleek spike enfolded in a double helix-style fabric, and NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama gets a size-21 basketball kick showcasing a geometric fractal pattern inspired by bismuth crystals. The shoe design for the football player Kylian Mbappe focuses on speed, with a jet-inspired profile and air integration for responsiveness, while Sam Kerr’s design features bold, exposed Air units to accomplish her love for serious bounce.
Nike’s creative process involved its human designers refining AI-generated outputs, using a recursive workflow that combined 3D modelling, prototyping, and feedback sessions with athletes. The outcome of this process is a set of 13 groundbreaking prototypes that skillfully unite elements of creativity and pragmatism.
The collection also marks a new chapter in Nike’s engagement with innovative tools by spotlighting the potential of its digital product creation capabilities.
Nike’s Chief Innovation Officer, John Hoke, stated that generative tools have allowed the brand to respond to the athletes’ specific needs and treat AI as a creative partner rather than just a tool.
Though these shoes won’t be released for sale, their cutting-edge design method offers a glimpse into Nike’s future strategy for tailoring performance footwear specifically to the needs of top-tier athletes.
