Nike is opening a new chapter in the evolution of Air Max with the launch of the inaugural Air Works research, development, and design program. The initiative gathers emerging creatives from eight major cities to collaborate directly with Nike designers and engineers at the brand’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
What to Know
- Nike launched the inaugural Air Works design program focused on the future of Air Max.
- Designers from eight global cities collaborated directly with Nike mentors in Oregon.
- The program includes the creation of futuristic 3D-printed Air Max concepts with Zellerfeld.
- Participants explored Nike innovation spaces, archives, and research facilities.
- Limited friends-and-family releases will roll out ahead of Air Max Day 2027.
The program reflects Nike’s ambition to shape the future of Air Max through community-driven innovation and fresh cultural perspectives.
Nike Connects Designers From Eight Global Cities
The first class of Air Works designers comes from Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Each participant will spend several days at Nike’s Philip H. Knight Campus, working closely with internal mentors and external collaborators.
Their mission is to develop original 3D‑printed Air Max concepts with Zellerfeld, a leader in fully printed footwear.
The program celebrates Air Max’s cultural impact. It also invites a new generation of creatives to help shape its future.
Air Max Innovation Meets Nike’s Historic Legacy
The participating designers will gain access to some of Nike’s most important innovation spaces. This includes visits to the Department of Nike Archives, the Nike Sport Research Lab, the Air Manufacturing Innovation facility, the Blue Ribbon Studio, and the Bowerman Footwear Lab.
These experiences are designed to immerse the designers in Nike’s 40-year history of Air technology while encouraging them to push the silhouette into new territory.
Each project aims to combine personal storytelling, local culture, and futuristic footwear design into a unique Air Max expression.
Limited Community Releases Lead Into Air Max Day 2027
Following the completion of the inaugural program, every participating designer will release a limited friends-and-family edition of their Air Max creation within their local community.
Nike plans to celebrate these releases throughout the coming year, eventually building momentum toward Air Max Day 2027.
The initiative signals a more collaborative future for Nike innovation. Instead of designing only for global audiences, the brand is giving local voices an opportunity to shape the next era of Air Max from the inside.
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