Legendary Sneaker Designer - Tinker Hatfield

Legendary Sneaker Designer 

 Tinker Hatfield

Profile

Tinker Haven Hatfield, Jr. is the designer of many of Nike's most popular and innovative athletic shoe designs, including the Air Jordan 3 through Air Jordan 15, the twentieth anniversary Air Jordan XX and other athletic sneakers including the world's first "cross training" shoes, the Nike Air Trainer, Air Max 1.

He is Nike's Vice President for Design and Special Projects.

Academically, he studied architecture and graduated with a B.Arch. degree from the University of Oregon School of Architecture.

Hatfield joined Nike in 1981, and in 1985 started working on shoe design. He realized that his architectural skills could be applied to shoes.

Tinker Hatfield & Michael Jordan

<Hatfield & Jordan>

<Air Jordan 3 Black / Cement>

Originally released in 1988 the Air Jordan 3 was the first sneaker in the brand’s line to feature a visible air unit. 

Designed by a true leader in innovation – Tinker Hatfield, this shoe marks the beginning of a great friendship inside and outside of Nike World Headquarters between Tinker and MJ.

<Original sketch by Tinker Hatfield>

Tinker worked very closely with Jordan to make sure the shoe not only performed well but from an aesthetics point of view looked great too. The Air Jordan III Black Cement dons the iconic elephant print, the Jumpman logo and also a black leather upper to give it a more luxurious feel.

<NBA All Star Dunk Contest, 1988>

1988, In NBA All star, Jordan was Dunk contest Champion and he was wearing Air Jordan 3 Bulls color. 

You can find that in this Video.

Tinker still participated in Sneaker Design.

<Tinker with Air Jordan Series>

New Design "2011 Air Jordan"

Tinker Hatfield designed the new Air Jordan 2011. 
Jordan Brand has released a video where senior designer Tom Luedeke and the legendary Tinker Hatfield discuss the design and performance aspects of the 2011 Air Jordan signature model.

<New Design Jordan 2011 By Tinker>

              Tinker Hatfield & Air Max 1

<Tinker with Air Max 1 Original Color>

The Nike Air Max 1, first released in 1987, is the first model of the Air Max series and also the first ever shoe to feature a visible Air Max heel unit, forever revolutionizing footwear performance in the process.

<Retro years of Air Max 1 OG>

The Air Max 1 OG is Classic sneakers for Mania. For this reason, Nike often remake this Classic Model.

<Red & White OG Color  Air Max 1>

“There were marketing people who didn’t think they could market it because it was red and white. Most shoes in those days were blue, blacks, whites or greys. There were no bright colors, especially if it wasn’t about racing shoes. So yes, all kinds of people were against that shoe and that included our own marketing group.” 

“Up to this day, my role at Nike is to be provocative, to push for change and to piss people off. And if you don’t piss people off, it means you really haven’t done too much. You haven’t pushed the envelope in design or in communication.”

By Tinker Hatfield

My Collection

< My Collection >

I have Four Sneakers designed by Tinker.

 Air Jordan 3 Black/Cement, Air Jordan 3 Bulls, Jordan 2012, Air Max 1 Green 
(From Left)

Here is more specific interview, information of Tinker 

with Sneakers Magazine.

http://sneakers-magazine.com/tinker-hatfield-x-sneakers-magazine-interview/

Reference : http://sneakernews.com/tag/tinker-hatfield/

                           http://www.freshnessmag.com/2008/02/12/complex-interviews-tinker-hatfield/

                           http://www.8and9.com/tag/jordan-3/

                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifuvavS5ebs

                           http://www.blog.peacemagazine.com/?attachment_id=4

                           http://www.isittheshoes.com/2011/01/tom-luedeke-tinker-hatfield-introduce.html

                           http://www.footlocker.eu/gb/en/Shoes/Nike-Air-Max-1-42.aspx/4207481004

                           http://www.samhorner.co.uk/articles/tinker-hatfield-on-the-nike-air-max-1-design/