NIKE, Inc. NXT Apparel Design, Innovation Graduate Internship

FashionUnited; Beaverton (OR); Hybrid; USD 27,552,000 - 41,328,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Nike Explore Team (NXT) Apparel Innovation internship is a 10-week, paid program where you’ll help shape the future of performance apparel. You’ll work with Nike Innovation leaders and apparel designers, receiving mentorship while learning Nike’s design philosophy, products, and processes.

You will lead or collaborate on research, mood boards, concept stories, and prototyping, using tools like Illustrator, CLO, Vizcom, Newarc, or Gravity Sketch.

Qualifications

• Pursuing master’s degree in Apparel/Fashion/Industrial Design with graduation between Dec 2027 and Jun 2028.
• Portfolio demonstrates apparel design process and interest in performance/innovation/sport.
• Experience translating research or athlete needs into design narratives and concepts.

Responsibilities

• Research athlete needs, cultural shifts, emerging tech, color, materials, and trends in performance apparel.
• Create mood boards, sketches, and head-to-toe product stories.
• Explore silhouette, fabrication, pattern making, draping, construction, and form through digital and physical making.
• Develop prototypes and respond to feedback from Design and cross-functional partners.
• Present project and design process to stakeholders at the end of the internship.

Skills

Portfolio

Collaboration

Communication

Curiosity for innovation

Education

Masters in Apparel Design / Fashion Design / Industrial Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

CLO

Vizcom

Newarc

Gravity Sketch

Job description

**WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH**This internship is part of Nike Explore Team, (NXT) Apparel Innovation team. You’ll work closely with Nike Innovation leaders and apparel designers. You’ll receive mentorship from design leaders while building your understanding of Nike’s design philosophy, products, and processes.You’ll also collaborate with multidisciplinary partners across pattern making, materials, apparel development, the apparel lab, field testing, the sample room, merchandising, and manufacturing to help bring innovative product concepts to life.**WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON**As an Apparel Innovation Design Intern, you’ll help explore the future of functional, performance-based apparel and how it intersects with sport and modern culture. With guidance from design leaders, you’ll use research, hands-on making, and design problem-solving to create original concepts that serve athletes\\*.The internship will be project-based, with opportunities to contribute across the innovation process. You will lead or collaborate on work such as:* Researching athlete needs, cultural shifts, emerging technologies, color, materials, and performance apparel trends* Building inspiration, concept presentations, mood boards, sketches, and head-to-toe product stories* Exploring silhouette, proportion, fabrication, draping, pattern making, construction, and form through digital and physical making* Creating and communicating concepts using tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, CLO, Vizcom, Newarc, and/or Gravity Sketch* Developing physical mockups and prototypes, then responding to feedback from Design and cross-functional partners* Supporting prototype reviews and collaborating with product creation partners to improve feasibility, function, and execution* Presenting your project and design process to stakeholders at the end of the internship**WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR**We’re looking for an emerging apparel designer who is curious about innovation, energized by performance product, and excited to learn through making. You bring a strong point of view, but you’re also open to feedback, collaboration, and exploring more than one answer to a design problem. Our ideal candidate is a thoughtful storyteller and hands-on builder who can connect athlete and consumer insights to product ideas. You are comfortable working through ambiguity, experimenting with new tools and materials, and sharing work in progress with a multidisciplinary team.* Currently pursuing a master's degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, or a related field, with a graduation date between December 2027 and June 2028.* A portfolio that demonstrates apparel design process, creative thinking, and an interest in performance, innovation, or sport* Experience translating research, consumer insights, or athlete needs into design narratives and product concepts* Working knowledge of apparel construction, pattern making, draping, fabrication, and physical prototyping* Experience with one or more design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CLO, Vizcom, Newarc, or Gravity Sketch* Ability to build clear concept presentations, mood boards, and visual stories* Strong collaboration and communication skills, with a willingness to ask questions, share ideas, and respond to feedback* Curiosity for innovation, materials, technology, research, and design problem-solvingThis is a 10-week paid internship opportunity with relocation assistance. Curious to know what it’s like to be part of a world-class Internship Program? Check out our recap video from last summer:We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the .Apply Here