Designing a Memorable AF1 Shopping Experience

I worked as an experience designer on a fun and bold project that brought Nike sneakers to life — literally. We created an in-store setup with rotating AF1s on the wall and interactive touchscreens that let people explore the story behind the shoes, share their thoughts, and engage with the brand in a fresh way.
This was all about connecting with a new generation — socially aware, globally connected, and big on self-expression. The setup wasn’t just cool to look at — it made people stop, play, and connect.
My Role
Credits
The Challenge
We wanted to turn a regular shoe store visit into something unforgettable. The goal was to design an engaging in-store experience that felt bold, interactive, and connected to Nike’s message of community and self-expression. The tricky part? Making it super simple for anyone to interact, get inspired, and leave their own message.
The Solution

We created a wall covered with rotating AF1s forming the Nike logo — a real showstopper. In front of it, touchscreen tablets let people explore the story behind the shoes and write personal messages to those who inspired them.

We focused on using interactive tech and personalization to make the in-store experience more than just shopping. It became something memorable — something people wanted to talk about and come back to.

Here’s what this experience delivered:

  • A more immersive and playful way to interact with the product
  • A stronger emotional connection between customers and the Nike brand
  • Higher engagement and excitement in-store
  • A boost in AF1 sales through a more meaningful experience
Process & Prototyping

We started with low-fidelity wireframes to sketch out the layout for the interactive walls and tablets. These helped us test ideas quickly and get early feedback.

Next, we mapped out key user flows — from customers exploring the AF1 story to those ready to buy or leave a message. This helped us understand how different types of users would move through the in-store experience.

Then came the prototypes — interactive mockups of the sneaker wall and touchscreen interface. These allowed us to test functionality, spot usability issues, and fine-tune the experience based on real feedback.

Everything we designed — wireframes, flows, and prototypes — was reviewed and tested with users and stakeholders to make sure it felt intuitive, inclusive, and engaging.

Results

The Interesting Shoe Rotation was a big hit. Customers loved the in-store experience and felt a stronger connection to the brand. The campaign helped boost both engagement and sales:

  • In-store sales of AF1s went up by 15%
  • The campaign hashtag gained over 5,000 impressions on social media

It not only got people talking — it raised the bar for how shoes can be discovered, experienced, and shared.