Nike’s Air Works Taps 8 Designers from Around the Globe to Reimagine a 3D-Printed Air Max
PublishedQuick Facts
- The Nike Air Works research, development, and design program will convene its inaugural workshop this year
- Eight designers from Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo will come to Nike’s Oregon campus in May for a four-day experience
- After the workshop, the eight 3D-printed Air Max models will be produced in limited friends & family runs for the designer to celebrate with their local community ahead of Air Max Day 2027
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Nike is celebrating Air Max Day today, but with innovation at top of mind, the brand is already thinking about next year’s celebration. In addition to a run of Air Max 95 drops, a 3M Air Max 90 Infrared, and the debut of the Air Liquid Max, Nike announced a new initiative that will invite eight up-and-coming designers from across the globe to work on the latest chapter of Air Max exploration.
The Nike Air Works research, development, and design program will convene its inaugural workshop this year, inviting eight designers from Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo to come to Nike’s Oregon campus in May for a four-day experience. They will team up with Nike mentors from the design and engineering departments to create unique 3D-printed Air Max silhouettes made in partnership with Zellerfeld.
“Air Works is about celebrating the cultural impact of Air Max and inviting a core group of global creatives to imagine what its future could look like,” Andy Caine, VP and Creative Director of Nike Sportswear, said. “It’s also a chance to deliver a deep dive in Air Max history, innovation, and inspiration, and to unite outside perspectives with Nike-only tools, talent, and capabilities to redefine what Air Max means to this generation.”
After the workshop, the eight 3D-printed Air Max models will be produced in limited friends & family runs for the designer to celebrate with their local community ahead of Air Max Day 2027. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more about the program, and we’ll see you this time next year for a look at the whole collection. To keep up with all of Nike’s latest Air Max news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
