COMPANY
PROJECT
RTFKT x MURAKAMI
Geisai, Tokyo
RTFKT
CONTRIBUTIONS
Design Director
3D Design
Immersive Design
Developer
Interaction Design
DETAILS
The RTFKT x Murakami Geisai Tokyo Event was a groundbreaking, world-merging celebration of art, design, and innovation, marking the forging of the RTFKT x Nike AF1 collection. Through the convergence of the physical and digital realms, this collaboration with Takashi Murakami, one of the most influential contemporary artists, redefined sneaker culture with ultra-limited edition designs that bridge the worlds of gaming, digital collectibles, and streetwear. Murakami’s legacy, marked by his iconic “Superflat” art style and his profound impact on pop culture, infused the event with an air of both celebration and reverence for boundary-pushing creativity.
Held in Tokyo’s famed Big Sight venue, the event was a multi-sensory experience crafted with Bureau Betak to celebrate Murakami’s and RTFKT’s work with the Nike Air Force 1, featuring bespoke designs that brought the digital-physical crossover to life. On one side of the hall, Geisai #22, a renowned incubation event by Murakami, showcased emerging contemporary artists, many of whom debuted their work here, underscoring Murakami’s influence on new generations. On the other side, RTFKT celebrated the unveiling of the AF1 collection, which included 10 bespoke designs, two of them marking Murakami’s first-ever collaborations on an Air Force 1: the Murakami DNA and Murakami Drip collections.
The event was immersive at every level, with visitors journeying through choreographed lighting, light tunnels, and life-sized holograms, all set to ambient, custom-composed music. At the end was a colossal Mint Machine, where guests could randomly pull exclusive digital collectibles, hoping to claim one of five rare “Murakami pills.” This unprecedented fusion of art and tech solidified the RTFKT x Murakami Geisai Tokyo event as a monumental tribute to artistry, creativity, and the collaborative future of fashion and technology.
3D BILLBOARD
AT SHINJUKU
In celebration of the RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 collection and the iconic Takashi Murakami collaboration, we took over one of Tokyo’s busiest landmarks: the Cross Shinjuku Vision billboard, located at the East Exit Plaza of Shinjuku Station. This location, in the heart of Shinjuku, sees an incredible daily footfall, with over 3.5 million passengers passing through Shinjuku Station each day, making it one of the busiest transit hubs in the world. The station’s East Exit Plaza is an epicenter of Tokyo’s vibrant culture and a prime destination for tourists and locals alike, making it the perfect venue to showcase the collection.
This activation was more than just a billboard; it was a visual experience that captivated the high-traffic crossroads of Shinjuku, introducing millions to RTFKT’s world-merging approach to fashion, art, and technology. The 3D animation became a highlight of the event, capturing the energy of Shinjuku and amplifying the unique aesthetic of each RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 in stunning, immersive, true RTFKT fashion.
Our 3D billboard animation highlighted each of the 10 bespoke AF1 designs, placing them within unique, immersive environments that paid tribute to each sneaker's distinctive DNA. This lineup featured one sneaker for each of the 8 DNA types from the Clone X collection, including the highly coveted Murakami DNA, Murakami Drip, and the RTFKT Genesis. These animated displays transformed the sneakers into larger-than-life, rotating sculptures, where each design shone with intricate details and futuristic visuals against the dynamic Tokyo cityscape.
AR Posters
Extending the immersive nature of the experience, we created a series of interactive AR posters that allowed fans, and those curious, to connect with each sneaker in the collection in a whole new way. Each poster, strategically placed around Shinjuku, showcased one of the 10 unique sneakers in the collection.
Using their mobile cameras, people could simply scan the posters to unlock an augmented reality art display. This AR experience layered digital effects, animations, and unique visuals inspired by each sneaker's DNA onto the real-world surroundings, creating a fusion of physical and digital worlds that epitomizes RTFKT’s vision. Passersby could see the sneakers brought to life, complete with the design intricacies and environmental elements unique to each pair.
Try it for yourself!
Just scan the QR code below and step into an augmented world where the iconic AF1 collection made its mark on the streets of Shinjuku!
TOKYO BIG SIGHT
EXPERIENCE
Held in Tokyo’s famed Big Sight venue, the event was a multi-sensory experience crafted with Bureau Betak to celebrate Murakami’s and RTFKT’s work with the Nike Air Force 1, featuring bespoke designs that brought the digital-physical crossover to life.
On one side of the hall, Geisai #22, a renowned incubation event by Murakami, showcased emerging contemporary artists, many of whom debuted their work here, underscoring Murakami’s influence on new generations. On the other side, RTFKT celebrated the unveiling of the AF1 collection, which included 10 bespoke designs, two of them marking Murakami’s first-ever collaborations on an Air Force 1: the Murakami DNA and Murakami Drip collections.
The event was immersive at every level, with visitors journeying through choreographed lighting, light tunnels, and life-sized holograms, all set to ambient, custom-composed music. At the end was a colossal Mint Machine, where guests could randomly pull exclusive digital collectibles, hoping to claim one of five rare “Murakami pills.”
This unprecedented fusion of art and tech solidified the RTFKT x Murakami Geisai Tokyo event as a monumental tribute to artistry, creativity, and the collaborative future of fashion and technology.
HOLOGRAMS:
CLONE X and ANIMUS
At the heart of the event stood a holographic display that captivated guests with lifelike Clone X characters brought to life through immersive technology and performance capture. I created holograms for eight Clone X characters, including Takashi Murakami, (CloneX #1) and two characters being revealed for our upcoming project, Animus. This immersive setup allowed guests to interact directly with these digital personas in an experience that blended virtual and real worlds seamlessly.
Vinyl wrapped Proto Hologram box before final staging
The hologram experience relied on a blend of advanced tools to create stunning real-time interactions: Unreal Engine 5 was used with Live Link for precise face capture, combined with a Rokoko motion capture suit for live-action performance capture.
The visuals were then displayed through a Proto volumetric holographic unit, where performers live-acted, bringing the characters’ movements and expressions to life while interacting with guests.
A hidden camera allowed the performers to see and react to the crowd, ensuring each interaction felt personal and spontaneous
As guests approached, they were greeted by these characters, sparking excitement and setting the stage for the event’s final section, the mint machine.
This holographic centerpiece became a core memory for attendees, blending artistry and technology in a world-first experience for the Clone X community and RTFKT fans.
RTFKT x Nike
Air Force 1’s
2023 marked a pivotal moment in RTFKT's evolution as they set out to elevate the Clone X experience through an unprecedented fusion of digital and physical creativity. The RTFKT Clone X AF-1 project wasn't just another sneaker collaboration; it was a bold reimagining of Nike's most iconic silhouette, weaving together RTFKT's digital innovation, Nike's heritage, and Takashi Murakami's artistic vision into a new form of creative expression that transcended traditional boundaries.
Each sneaker in the RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 collection stands as a rare, coveted piece of digital and physical art, embodying RTFKT’s cutting-edge vision of digital-physical integration. The collection spans 10 exclusive designs, with the iconic RTFKT x Nike AF1 - Alien being the rarest of the lineup, having only 60 units in existence. Across the full collection, a total of just 12,244 units were produced, cementing the ultra-limited nature of these iconic sneakers.
This collection originated as digital collectibles, allowing early adopters to secure their pairs in virtual form before being able to “Forge” them into physical sneakers, a process that transcends traditional retail and introduces a new era of ownership where the virtual and physical meet. Equipped with RTFKT’s unique world-merging chip and advanced authentication system, each sneaker allows owners to scan it with their phones to verify authenticity. This link between digital and physical components demonstrates RTFKT’s forward-thinking approach to interactive ownership.
Each design is more than a sneaker; it’s an interactive art piece and a testament to the future of fashion and digital ownership.
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Murakami DNA
Units: 167
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Alien
Units: 60
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Angel
Units: 1327
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Demon
Units: 1031
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Genesis
Units: 1776
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Human
Units: 1986
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Murakami Drip
Units: 4182
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Reptile
Units: 399
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Robot
Units: 1126
RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 - Undead
Units: 190
Conclusion
The RTFKT x Murakami Geisai Tokyo Event was more than just a celebration of the RTFKT x Nike AF1 collection; it was a groundbreaking fusion of art, technology, and community. By seamlessly merging the physical and digital worlds, this event showcased the limitless potential of experiential design.
From Takashi Murakami’s vibrant artistry to RTFKT’s innovative tech, every element came together to create an unforgettable experience.
This collaboration not only honored the legacy of a cultural icon but also set the stage for future immersive events, leaving a lasting impact on art, fashion, and digital culture.
