The Creative Corner: Maurix

For Maurix, design is more than a job, it’s a way of seeing and living the world. For him, every color, shape and space speaks volumes. But his creativity isn’t limited to a screen. With his trademark style, he’s transformed his skin into a canvas full of stories, different influences and experimentation. From his studio in Madrid, Treehauss, he combines identity, authenticity and a global vision to deliver his unique style, like when he took over Jimmy Lion’s rebranding in 2023.

In this edition of The Creative Corner, we discussed the cities that inspire him, the importance of creative processes and the way passion transforms into a legacy, even within a family.

Your style is very personal, authentically yours. Where do you find inspiration? What is it that you love most about design?

I’m self-taught. My passion for design stems from punk, fanzines, posters and all that graphic imagery. DIY was my starting point. I’ve always been fascinated by traditional American design, the way they take care of their branding and the strength of their messaging. I try to transmit that energy in my work.

I’m meticulous at every step of the process taking care of the details, even if the result seems simple, or at least I aim for that sensation. I’m 100% a Capricorn.

Before I was obsessed with the effect of the final result. But now I enjoy the process more: the research, the color study, the panels, to find the meaning of what I’m doing. You can tell when there’s coherence and research behind a design. We live surrounded by stimuli: every day you might see and like a thousand designs, but you’ll only remember two or three. Therein lies the challenge. Finding your own voice.

Design isn’t isolated to your work, it’s also all over you. Tell us about your tattoos and how they reflect your creativity.

It all goes hand in hand. Youthful zest led me to a lifestyle I still embrace. I could talk for days about my tattoos (especially the worst ones). I have a little of everything: big pieces and… big disasters. But they all represent me and who I am.

I mostly have traditional tattoos. My chest, back, and some pieces on my arms and legs were tattooed by Bara, a reference worldwide. I also have work by Dientes de Vampiro, Fvego, Rodrigo DC, Mario Prado, Juan Jiménez, among others.

They’re almost all by people close to me, which makes them even more personal. For me, each tattoo has the same value as a design: an aesthetic decision that expresses who you are, remembers a specific moment in time, or celebrates an idea that you’d like to leave on your skin. In the end, it’s yet another way to design, the only difference is the medium – which doesn’t happen to age particularly well hahaha.

How did your artistic journey begin and where is it taking you now?

I studied Audiovisual Communication, focused on videos and graphics, but I was always really connected to the underground scene. My thesis was about deconstructive graphics and David Carson (visionary graphic designer who worked with Nike, Pepsi Cola, Ray Bans and more!). His covers for Raygun or Transworld Skateboarding were pure force.

Over the years I’ve learned to simplify, valuing order and clarity. I try to make it so that each project has its own identity and rhythm. Even though I have a clear work structure, every client is different.

I’m really extroverted and I think the personal relationship with clients changes everything. I don’t consider myself an agency, I like to maintain that direct contact. Many times a good talk tells you more than a standard brief.

Right now I’m developing the identity and branding of a Premium canned goods company, and it’s a hugely diverse project that’s pushing me to explore new forms.

Speaking of creative processes, what was yours like with Jimmy Lion’s rebranding?

My relationship with the brand goes way back. First as a client, back at the beginning during the bright colors phase. Then the owners, Felipe and Álvaro, asked me to design some special product packaging – which was used for years. We seem to really get each other, and so a while back they called me again asking about the rebranding. I have to say that at first I had a bit of vertigo: Jimmy Lion’s lion had been an iconic part of the brand for so long that touching it seemed like a huge risk. The goal was to bring a level of maturity to the brand without losing its essence.

We simplified the logotype making it much more versatile and easy to integrate into different places. The final result is stronger and demands to be seen. I sincerely think it’s been a roaring (forgive the pun) success.

Now that you’re a dad, how do you share the creative world with your son?

Well my wife is the true artist in our home. She’s an illustrator, designer and writer. We have about a thousand materials to paint or sculpt around our house, even though half the time you don’t know what’s going to work and what’s not.

One day while I was cleaning, something spilled on our son… and it ended up turning my Jimmy Lion Athletic Essentials into a pretty amazing piece of tie-dye. We’ve laughed about it a lot ever since.

He loves painting and is starting to get curious about color, but we don’t want to push him. Music is what really brings us together: we dance, sing, and discover new things side by side.

Madrid has changed a lot over the past few years. How have you experienced that evolution?

Madrid has changed, but so have we. The Madrid of 2025 isn’t the same as the one I landed in back in 1999 — and that’s a good thing.

Today there’s more energy, more culture, more movement. Galleries, exhibitions, projects… The city feels alive.

I don’t know if I’ve evolved for better or for worse, but I’ve matured in my own way. I’m lucky to be surrounded by artists and creatives, and that keeps you on your toes. The years fly by, but I can’t complain.

Speaking of “your Madrid”: What are your go-to spots?

For a drink

Beer Garden in Chamberí, El Gato in Malasaña, Hola Coffee in Lavapiés or Lagasca, Las Nieves, and Trafalgar.

For art or exhibitions

The long-gone Watdafac Gallery, Elba Benítez, La Casa Encendida, Swinton, Matadero, and Colección SOLO are all favorites. But honestly… The streets themselves are the best.