Nike Basketball — Dexter Maurer

Nike Basketball, 2024
NEW AGE OF SPORT Collection

Nike
Lead Brand, Art Direction: Eric Pagsanjan
Creative Producer: Natlalie Brunet

This campaign for Nike saw my illustrative work used to revisit and reimagine two legendary moments from the brand's history, translating them into a new visual language of nostalgia and digital craft.

The first piece reinterpreted the iconic 1996 "Lil Penny" commercials featuring Spike Lee. I translated the original's unique blend of attitude and playfulness into my own distinct illustrated world, merging a vibrant cartoon energy with the demands of motion-driven storytelling to bring a new dimension to the character.

The second artwork took on the cult classic "Charles Barkley vs. Godzilla" commercial, re-envisioning it as a surreal "Battle of the Barkleys." The illustration depicts two versions of the basketball legend in an epic, self-referential duel, capturing the original's absurd humor while grounding it in a contemporary, graphic style.

Together, these works served as the core visual identity for a campaign that celebrated Nike's enduring cultural heritage through a modern, illustrative lens.

Additionnal projects available upon request

Dexter Maurer

Photo: Luana Maurer

About

Dexter Maurer is an illustrator and art director specializing in translating cultural narratives into compelling visual worlds. His work builds a bridge between iconic brands and the nuanced language of contemporary illustration, crafting images that are both immediately striking and rich with story.

With a distinct style that blends graphic sensibility with narrative depth, he collaborates with clients like Nike, The New Yorker, and Jordan Brand to define the visual identity of their most ambitious campaigns. His process involves deconstructing themes of music, sport, and culture to their core metaphors, reassembling them into illustrations that resonate on an intuitive level.

Whether developing the art direction for an entire album campaign or creating a single, iconic loading screen for Fortnite, his focus is on constructing a cohesive and resonant visual universe for every project.