It’s been years since Nike first introduced its NikeID online custom design studio. And while others have tried to replicate this service, the response simply hasn’t been the same. Nike is looking to extend its dominance in this area with the new Live-Design Experience, a 90-minute in-person shoe design studio that will officially open in New York City later this month.
The Nike Makers’ Experience will be housed at the Nike By You Studio in New York, but don’t just expect to walk right in. As an invitation-only service, you’ll need to know the right people to enjoy the shoemaker’s latest creation.
While Nike’s latest venture may have you rushing to New York, don’t plan on having many options when it comes to which model you customize. The Presto X sneaker will be the default (and only) shoe of choice for perspective designers initially. This makes perfect sense if you think about it. Part of the magic here is Nike cranking out a full custom shoe in 90-minutes. That’s probably not possible with more than one shoe at the outset.
Designers will be able to choose from a traditional shoe or slip-on version of the Presto X with a full range of customizable areas. That includes colors and patterns, plus the ability to add text. We don’t know much more about about the customization process at this time but it looks like just about every aspect of the shoe can be made to your exact specs.
“The intention of the project is to bring to life the collaborative design experience that we offer our athletes,” says Mark Smith, VP of Innovation Special Projects. “They love products that tell their story, so we wanted to combine that idea with a new process of live design and manufacturing that allows our guests to come into the space, work collaboratively with us and leave with a special product in less than 90 minutes.”
Obviously the coolest part of today’s announcement is that once you’ve gone through each step, your custom shoes will be done within the hour. That’s pretty incredible when you really think about it as each order must be made by hand on-site.
If you’re anything like us, you’re dying to get in on the Nike Makers’ Experience. At this time it is only open to invitations and select Nike+ members. Here’s hoping that we see increased availability in the near future.
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NEW LIVE-DESIGN EXPERIENCE PROMISES CUSTOM SHOES IN LESS THAN 90 MINUTES
For decades, Nike has worked directly with athletes to create cutting-edge and highly personalized products. Over time, this relationship between designers and athletes delineated a harmonization of form, function and emotion that defines Nike shoes and apparel.
This month, with the opening of the Nike Makers’ Experience at Nike By You Studio @ 45 Grand in New York, Nike’s Advanced Innovation team brings elements of this process to the consumer by merging digital design with traditional footwear making.
The experience begins with a series of graphic options, generated from either Nike heritage or on-the-spot phrases, which can then be customized into patterns through shifts to size and color.
“The intention of the project is to bring to life the collaborative design experience that we offer our athletes,” says Mark Smith, VP of Innovation Special Projects. “They love products that tell their story, so we wanted to combine that idea with a new process of live design and manufacturing that allows our guests to come into the space, work collaboratively with us and leave with a special product in less than 90 minutes.”
What are made are one-of-a-kind versions of the Nike Presto X, a silhouette specially created by the Nike Advanced Innovation for the Nike Makers’ Experience. There are two versions of the shoe, a traditional Presto and a slip-on. Both are equally suited to the process of customization via dynamic object tracking and projection systems that instantly bring designs to life.
For example, one could start by using a birthday or anniversary. From that typographical input, patterns are then created and scaled to taste. Color choice and graduation are nearly infinite, too. And that’s just the tip of the customization iceberg.
“The Nike Makers’ Experience is a fast, fun, interactive, one-of-a-kind design experience. It takes most people longer to come up with their idea than it does for us to make it,” adds Smith. “It’s the future you don’t have to wait for.”
The invite-only experience will initially be limited to Nike friends and family and select Nike+ members.
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