Dezeen · Architectuur

Manchester City and Puma unveil AI-designed kit

Sportswear brand Puma has launched a kit for Manchester City designed by a fan using an AI generator, marking the first time a fan-generated AI kit has been used by a professional football team.

The shirt was designed using Puma's AI Creator, a tool that turns written prompts into kit designs. It will be worn as the team's third kit this season. The white kit, created by a fan named Elliot, features a central two-tone sash that is half sky blue and half navy blue, with blue accents on the sides. The words "AI creator" are written inside the collar.

The design was chosen following a competition where fans submitted over 180,000 entries. Elliot's design was selected from a shortlist of 10 after a fan vote. Puma's vice president of teamsport, Dominique Gathier, stated that the AI Creator represents a new way of thinking about kit creation and fan involvement.

Puma does not anticipate AI replacing human designers, according to Alonso Sanchez, head of product line management for teamsport apparel. He explained that while AI can speed up the process, the vision and final decisions will remain human-led, emphasizing the importance of understanding a club's heritage and fan culture. The primary benefit of AI in this project was empowering fans to actively participate in the creative process.

Despite being AI-generated, some online commenters noted similarities between the new kit and a Chelsea away shirt from the early 2000s. This follows Manchester City's previous season's third kit, which was designed as a tribute to the local weather.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.