TURNING IMAGINATION INTO REALITY.
Nike's On Air 2018 -- where 18 designs were chosen out of thousands of entries in over six different cities. Through public voting, 6 winners will have their stories made into reality. While part of the team at INDUSTRY (PDX), we were tasked with realizing the designs of young people from around the globe. We helped create assets and provided more detailed renderings of their concepts for Nike to manufacture. Ultimately, our job was to help tell their story.
This entire project was a team effort, both internally and externally. I am fortunate and honored to have played a role in it. The most rewarding part was seeing / hearing the reactions of the contestants, as we collaborated with them, to refine the visual renderings of their designs. Those spontaneous moments are what we strive for.
Special thanks to an awesome crew -- Ali Radcliffe, Robb Hunter, David Mellor, Oved Valadez and the team at Nike.
Nike On Air 2018 Winners
Nike On-Air 2018 Voting
NIKE ON-AIR 2018
NEW YORK CITY
Air Max 95
"BEC Bodega" by Kevin Louie
A fan of efficiency and convenience, Louie drew from the ubiquitous bodega culture of the five boroughs – and the dependable 24/7 bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.
Air Max 95
"Cross Section" by Brett Ginsburg
Ginsburg’s multi-layer design comments on NYC’s pace, density and grit as a medium for unique footwear.
*WINNER*
Air Max 98
"La Mezcla" by Gabrielle Serrano
Serrano’s entry represents the diverse complexions of NYC that combine race, ethnicity and cultural background, highlighting what makes this city special: its people.
SEOUL
Air Max 98
"Metro" by Joon Oh Park
Park’s design pulls inspiration from Seoul’s vast underground transit system, referencing its colorful map, metallic railway car frames and safety signs.
Air Max 98
"Ulsoo" by Binna Kim
Through the strong contrast of the Air Max 98 silhouette, Kim’s design reflects the tradition and the future of Seoul by way of the upper’s color along with materials from traditional Korean shoes.
*WINNER*
Air Max 97
"Neon Seoul" by Gwang Shin
Shin’s concept is inspired by his city’s neon signs, complete with a matte black body, vibrant colors and contours inspired by the Taaeguk symbol on Seoul’s flag.
LONDON
*WINNER*
Air Max 97
"Summer of Love" by Jasmine Lasode
Lasode’s design celebrates love and summer in the city, with a personal memory – a first date spent on Primrose Hill — as her backdrop.
Air Max 98
"Ode to Layou" by Reuben Charters-Bastide
Based on his grandfather’s journey from the Caribbean to the UK aboard the HMT Empire Windrush, Charters-Bastide’s concept marks the undeniable contribution that immigration has made to shape London’s multicultural landscape.
Air Max 270
"Darwin" by Shamima Ahmed
The design from the 18-year-old London native brings to life the evolution of Brutalist architecture that has shaped her hometown since the 1950s, revealing the unexpected beauty of the city’s infrastructure.
TOKYO
Air Max 98
"In The Air" by Nari Kakuwa
Kakuwa’s ON AIR concept flips the Tokyo skyline upside-down while muted gray tones nod to the structures that dot the city skyline.
*WINNER*
Air Max 1
"Maze" by Yuta Takuman
Takuman’s design honors the dizzying urban labyrinth of colorful tube lines that shoot beneath Tokyo. Embossed leather represents the city’s concrete surface, while the red bubble pays homage to the iconic Tokyo Tower.
Air Max 95
"Cultural City" by WOOD
Evoking Japan’s past and present street culture, WOOD’s concept was partly inspired by the humanoid forms of yokai – spirits and demons of Japanese folklore.
PARIS
Air Max 90
"Age of Gold" by Coralie Rabbe
Blending traditional fabric and graffiti-inspired speckled print, Coralie’s design honors the cultural diversity of Paris through references to textiles from Europe, Asia and Africa.
*WINNER*
Air VaporMax Plus
"Works In Progress" by Lou Matheron
Photographs of an under-construction Parisian courthouse inspired Matheron’s concept, reimagining the colors and materials from the job site.
Air Max 180
"1.0" by Quentin Sobaszek
A TPU plastic cage, ripstop nylon panels and contrasting Swoosh and Air-Sole units nod to Sobaszek’s vision for the Paris of tomorrow: combining both geometric and digital elements inspired by the city's architecture.
SHANGHAI
Air Max 270
"Kung Fu Soul" by Harry Wong
Made to look like kung fu slippers, Wong’s shoes balance the sport’s strong, controlled speed and water-like fluidity.
*WINNER*
Air Max 97
"Kaleidoscope" by Cash Ru
The SH Kaleidoscope reflects Ru’s impression of the clouds floating along Shanghai’s skies: shifting and dissipating to create new forms and shapes.
Air Max 97
"City of Stars" by James Lin
Lin’s concept illustrates the flickering lights of Shanghai’s skyline, set against a night sky filled with effervescent starlight.
