With over 20 years of global design experience, Mauricio Cordel is a visionary creative leader known for fusing culture, sport, and storytelling through powerful visual narratives. As a Senior Design Manager at Nike, he’s led standout work across Olympic Games, World Cups, and Global Football—shaping moments that resonate both on and off the field.

 

Mauricio thrives where innovation, storytelling, and design systems intersect. His fluency across graphic design, apparel, motion, and data-driven visuals enables him to bring abstract ideas to life. A key force behind Nike’s Olympic visual strategy from Tokyo 2020 to Milan 2026, he has created iconic, globally recognized apparel systems.

 

In his 16-year Nike journey, Mauricio has translated athlete insight, brand strategy, and youth culture into unforgettable creative. As Senior Apparel Graphic Designer for Global Football, he crafted storytelling for World Cup 2018 and Champions League Clubs, blending streetwear and performance. In Emerging Markets, he scaled product design across 20+ football clubs and introduced bold new visual languages.

 

Driven by cultural insight and relentless curiosity, Mauricio has shaped visionary ideas as part of Nike’s Design Trends Council and global creative teams. His culture-led approach spans concept to execution—building immersive brand experiences that resonate.

 

A natural mentor and collaborator, he brings leadership and creative clarity to every room. Skilled in managing partnerships and uniting marketing, design, and merchandising, Mauricio consistently delivers imaginative, world-building work.

 

With an instinct for turning ideas into global impact, Mauricio is poised to help lead the next era of Jordan Brand’s Energy vision—creating iconic, culturally relevant moments that push boundaries and define sport and style.

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Strengths:

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Graphics and patterns creation/ Sportswear culture / Concept development / Sports branding / 3D graphic design / Incorporating cultural context in design / Creative Direction / Mentorship / Trends influencing design 

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Education:

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B.A., Product Design, 2000 Faap SP Brazil 

Cenography and Space x 3D - MAM2008

 Drawing – MAM 2007. Given by Dudi Maia Rosa

Photography Language - MAM 2007. Given by Gal Opido

Workshop Contemporary Art 2007. Organized by Dudi Maia Rosa

Semiotic Investigation course 2004. Organized by GUP-SP

Modern Art history Course 2004. ECA-USP

Visual Methodology 2003. Given by Sandra Cinto at FAAP

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Experiences:

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Senior Design Manager, Graphics / Expert Designer – Olympic Games

Nike, 2019 – Present

Leads creative strategy and execution for major global sporting events:

Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

Milan 2026 Winter Olympics

Drives design innovation across product and storytelling, integrating brand narratives into apparel graphics for a global stage

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Senior Apparel Graphic Designer – Global Football

Nike, 2016 – 2019

Conceptualized and designed graphic systems for the 2018 FIFA World Cup (Russia), UEFA Champions League clubs, and goalkeeper kits.

Created compelling storytelling presentations that connected on-field performance with off-field lifestyle, blending football culture and streetwear aesthetics.

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Senior Apparel Graphic Designer – Emerging Markets

Nike, 2012 – 2016

Contributed to Olympic projects for London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Designed visual identities for 20+ football clubs across Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Southern Asia, and Australia.

Led strategic improvements in storytelling and design presentation, increasing product approvals and expanding club representation from 4 to 14 teams within one year.

Developed regionally impactful collections including Canarinho Collection, Nike 6.0, and Nike SB custom series.

Collaborated with the Nike ID Innovation Team on algorithm-generated pattern graphics and designed the Supreme III footwear model, later adopted by North American merchandising.

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Lead Designer – Nike Do Brasil

Nike, 2007 – 2012

Created locally resonant products for Sportswear and Action Sports.

Identified market-specific design opportunities, influencing broader brand direction.

Appointed member of the Nike Trends Council in 2011.

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Co-Founder – Estudio Alcalina

2004 – 2007

Delivered branding and creative campaigns for clients including FEMSA Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson, and Kimberly-Clark.

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Graphic Designer / Art Director – Broadcast Design

1998 – 2005

Art directed motion graphics and visual identities for sports television.

Led a 10-person team in the creation of virtual sets and dynamic graphics across multiple sports categories.

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Honors & Awards

Winner - IBest 2003 

Honarable Mention – Wallpaperstype 2007

100% tile competition

Shortlisted – Mondriain product 2007

Lumencenteritalia Competition 2007

Shortlisted – Asics 2007

Patent Pending - Shoe upper, Nike, Inc. (Inventor: Mauricio Cordel)

 

Languages

Fluent: English & Portuguese

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