NIKE Inc NXT Apparel Design Innovation Graduate Internship

Nike; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 11,572,000 - 15,429,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Paid internship

Accessibility accommodations

Job summary

Nike seeks an emerging Apparel Innovation Design Intern for a 10-week program in Beaverton, OR. You will explore functional, performance-based apparel with guidance from design leaders and collaborate across pattern making, materials, and product creation teams.

You will lead or participate in research, mood boards, silhouettes, and creating concept visuals using tools like Illustrator, CLO, and Gravity Sketch. This paid internship offers relocation assistance and mentorship.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating apparel design process and performance focus.
• Experience translating insights into design narratives and product concepts.
• Solid knowledge of apparel construction, pattern making, draping, fabrication, prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Research athlete needs, cultural shifts, and trends in performance apparel.
• Create mood boards, sketches, and head-to-toe product stories.
• Explore silhouette, fabrication, pattern making, and prototyping.
• Develop and present concepts using tools like Illustrator, Photoshop, CLO, Vizcom, Newarc, Gravity Sketch.
• Build physical mockups and prototypes and iterate based on feedback from Design teams.
• Support prototype reviews and collaborate with cross-functional partners to improve feasibility and execution.
• Present project and design process to stakeholders at internship end.

Skills

Portfolio

Athlete insights translation

Collaboration

Communication

Storytelling

Education

Master's in Apparel Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

CLO

Vizcom

Newarc

Gravity Sketch

Job description

Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world's best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, Inc. it's about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

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-solving

This 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: Nike Internship Program Recap Video

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 Candidate Accommodation Request Form .

NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

NIKE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.