Introducing Nike’s latest innovation: 3D-printed AI sneakers, A.I.R.
Nike introduces A.I.R., an innovative collection of 13 concept sneakers that seamlessly blend form, function, and imagination. These sneakers are crafted and designed using cutting-edge techniques such as man-made sketches, computational and parametric design, generative AI, rapid prototyping, and 3D printers. At the exhibition and runway show, designboom had the opportunity to witness Nike unveil A.I.R., an acronym for Athlete Imagined Revolution, inside Palais Brongniart in Paris. During an interview with designboom, John Hoke, Nike’s Chief Innovation Officer, discusses the futuristic direction of the brand’s footwear design. He highlights the new series of 3D-printed AI-concept sneakers as a glimpse into what lies ahead. ‘We’ve named this project A.I.R. The objective of the project was to envision the future, looking beyond the year 2024 in Paris. We are actively engaged in studying and collaborating with athletes. These shoes go beyond just being performance-oriented; they seamlessly combine performance with personality. This is what he refers to as the new alchemy of shoes,‘ he shares with Designboom.
Faith Kipyegon | image © designboom
At 7:30, inside Palais Brongniart, a captivating LED screen showcased the intricate designs of the 13 Nike A.I.R. sneakers, which were created using advanced 3D printing and AI technology. Serena Williams confidently discussed the upcoming direction of the shoe company’s footwear. As the screen ascended, it revealed a group of 13 talented athletes who had collaborated with Nike and were honored with their own line of AI sneakers. These athletes represented a variety of sports, including track, global football, basketball, and tennis. As the screen was lowered and raised again, the 13 prototypes of A.I.R. sneakers were revealed. They were made of a semi-translucent and hardened 3D-printed material, emitting a glowing effect under UV light. The hot-orange colorway appeared even more vibrant, resembling the brilliance of fired glass.
Kylian Mbappé | image © designboom
Artificial intelligence and 3D printers are revolutionizing the world of design at A.I.R.
According to John Hoke, the design team at Nike A.I.R. has incorporated AI into their creative process. They now use AI to generate mood boards filled with inspirational images, helping them visualize their futuristic 3D-printed concept sneakers. ‘We started generating prompts collaboratively with powerful language models that sparked vivid mental images. Thanks to the speed and accuracy of those images, we were able to swiftly transition from a collection of over a hundred mood boards to a finalized design. And then the design process transitioned from solely 2D to what we refer to as phygital design, encompassing both physical and digital elements,’ he shares with designboom. From here, their computational designers accelerated the process and utilized mathematical algorithms and 3D design programs to transform these 2D images into tangible prototypes using 3D printers. The prototypes were produced within a remarkably short timeframe, ranging from a few hours to a few days at most.
Zheng Qinwen | image © designboom
John Hoke and NIKE A.I.R’s design team collaborated with the 13 athletes throughout the process. They gathered and had a discussion with Sha’Carri Richardson, Victor Wembanyama, A’ja Wilson, Kylian Mbappé, Dina Asher-Smith, Rai Benjamin, Diede de Groot, Erling Haaland, Sam Kerr, Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, Zheng Qinwen, and Vinicius Jr. They inquired about the preferences for AI-designed sneakers, whether they leaned towards a more conservative or wild style, a holistic design or one defined by individual components, and a choice between a monolithic or fractal aesthetic. They conducted interviews about the individuals, locations, and objects that served as sources of inspiration for them, as well as how the idea of sneakers could reflect their identities as athletes.
Eliud Kipchoge | image © designboom
The athletes’ responses were inputted using precise AI commands, resulting in the software producing numerous visuals for each athlete. The athletes’ feedback was relayed to the design team at Nike A.I.R. From there, the team embarked on a journey to break free from AI engines and return to the traditional method of manual creative sketching. This was done to develop the technical specifications for the concept sneakers. The manual sketches were exchanged between the athletes and the designers, with the athletes providing input and notes, while the designers worked on making the 3D-printed A.I.R. sneakers as athlete-centric as they could. After finalizing the designs, they were swiftly printed using advanced 3D printers at Nike’s Concept Creation Center. The prototypes of the innovative AI concept sneakers, showcased in Paris on April 11th, 2024, were created using the cutting-edge Air MI machines located just a mile away from Nike’s headquarters in Oregon.
Rai Benjamin | image © designboom
Discovering the 13 Nike A.I.R 3D-printed AI sneakers
At Palais Brongniart, designboom had the opportunity to witness the impressive collection of 13 NIKE A.I.R 3D-printed AI concept sneakers. John Hoke graciously guided us through the preview, providing valuable insights. Prior to the recorder being played, he had collected Zheng Qinwen’s shoes. A robust, gelatinous orange tube gracefully curves around the 3D-printed sneaker, culminating in a sleek, pointed crest at the back. John Hoke revealed what lay beneath—a collection of intricately carved patterns that protruded from the shoe, offering a tactile experience that was both delicate and intriguing. The sleek and intricate design was influenced by the Chinese lunar calendar’s Year of the Dragon, the vision that Zheng Qinwen had in mind for her Nike A.I.R. sneaker, which was brought to reality with the assistance of AI and 3D printers.
Victor Wembanyama | image © designboom
John Hoke took a few more steps on stage inside Palais, where Nike unveiled Project A.I.R., approaching Victor Wembanyama’s custom 3D-printed sneaker designed to fit his 21-inch foot. According to John Hoke, Victor has a deep interest in science fiction and the advancements made in extraterrestrial technology. You can observe certain details in the light, such as the texturing and pattern that evoke a futuristic alien style. For this situation, the Zoom Airbag was incorporated under the foot to provide an extra boost and elevation on the court. Additionally, it was strategically positioned to secure the foot in place. He clearly has a significant advantage in terms of foot size, which prompts us to consider how we can leverage these new technologies to enhance our design work in terms of speed and accuracy. The vibrant orange flooring became more vivid as John Hoke carefully placed it back on the stand. He highlighted the bismuth crystal that Wembanyama proudly wore around his neck, which served as the inspiration for the design. It was the same crystal he had worn on draft night just last summer, when he was selected as the number one pick in the league.
A’ja Wilson | image © designboom
Faith Kipyegon’s Nike A.I.R. sneaker had a unique and distinctive texture. Enveloping the lower portion of her 3D-printed prototype, the semi-transparent, geometric orange lining cleverly conceals and reveals the innovative Air cushioning from Nike. When examining this product, you’ll notice the clear influence of a trail running shoe, which Faith thoroughly enjoys training in. You also witness the amplification of fragmentation, showcasing the potential of a future trail shoe. If you pay attention, you’ll notice the intricate bead work. She emphasized the significance of the bead culture and its role in fostering a strong sense of community. One thing that stands out to me is the intricate design on the back, with a small swoosh nestled within another swoosh. This beautiful detail symbolizes the bond between a mother and her child. Discover hidden surprises scattered throughout these innovative products, crafted with cutting-edge technology. It’s a way of combining a performance piece with a significant aspect of their personality. John Hoke contributes to Designboom.
Vinicius Jr. | image © designboom
The other 3D-printed AI concept sneakers maintained the vibrant orange and milky white color schemes while perfectly capturing the essence of the athlete they were designed for. These were Nike A.I.R. sneakers crafted by athletes, initially for athletes, with the vision of becoming a staple in everyone’s wardrobe in the future. Experience the sensation of slipping into Dina Asher-Smith’s sleek sport-mesh upper and TPU heel clip, reminiscent of a stylish slingback. Embrace the power of Rai Benjamin’s dynamic outsole designed for cycling, featuring a spiky texture and a ribbed midfoot plate inspired by hurdles. Enjoy the convenience of Diede de Groot’s honeycomb-like upper, equipped with a clipping mechanism for effortless fastening to wheelchairs and a heel tailgate inspired by innovative Flyease technology. Soccer enthusiasts may soon have the opportunity to wear Erling Haaland’s uniquely designed sneaker, which showcases a curved shape reminiscent of Antarctic glaciers. Additionally, Sam Kerr’s sneaker design boasts a striking and prominent heel and forefoot, perfect for soccer players who wish to celebrate with a backflip after a victorious game.
Dina Asher-Smith | image © designboom
Marathoners could potentially try out Eliud Kipchoge’s innovative sneaker, which features advanced 3D-printing technology and incorporates a noticeable forefoot Air unit. The design also includes sap-like tensile fibers for added durability and a beveled heel inspired by Kipchoge’s valuable input in the development of the groundbreaking Alphafly line. Kylian Mbappé showcases his unique footwear with a distinctive underfooting, while Sha’Carri Richardson’s shoes feature a raised heel and a design reminiscent of winged sandals. Vinicius Jr.’s boots are equipped with studs angled outward for enhanced agility during dribbling, and A’ja Wilson’s shoes feature slits on the upper and grilles on the side for added style and functionality. These sneakers, a blend of AI-generated and human-created elements, embody a forward-thinking design approach for Nike’s A.I.R. series. ‘It’s the personal connection of not just requesting the athlete to wear our products,’ John Hoke contributes to designboom. ‘It’s all about collaborating and working together to make these products truly personalized for athletes, just like their own fingerprint.’
Sam Kerr | image © designboom
Sha’Carri Richardson | image © designboom
Diede de Groot | image © designboom
by matthew burgos
