Sean McDowell was tasked with designing the Tuned 1. He had just returned from a vacation in Florida, and the glowing blue and yellow color scheme was inspired by a sunset. McDowell envisioned the side stripes as the shape of palm trees against the sky. The cushioning system is created by a cushion with tailored mechanical elements to provide high-performance protection upon contact with the ground. Using hemispheres, the low-pressure Air Max unit is specifically adapted to the heel, providing cushioning that is tailored to the needs of different athletes and activities. The midsole is made of an extremely flexible material called Pebax. The hemispheres in the Tuned Air system rebound quickly under pressure. Variations in their thickness and placement guide the foot through a natural stride process for flexibility and motion control.