Li Ning — Bad5

I was invited to collaborate with Li-Ning on a special edition BAD5 collection, creating the artwork and visual world for a limited streetwear range inspired by Chang’An and Tang dynasty culture, blending basketball, history and storytelling across the full collection.

Credits: Commissioned by Li Ning

Illustration, Visual Direction , Product

Li-Ning BAD5 collection artwork showing a Tang dynasty-inspired basketball court scene, blending Chang’An history, street basketball and traditional Chinese visual storytelling.

Li-Ning BAD5 campaign photo showing a model wearing a blue illustrated T-shirt, patterned pants and bucket hat from the Tang dynasty-inspired basketball collection.

Li-Ning BAD5 landscape illustration showing a horse beneath willow trees and misty mountains, creating a traditional Chinese-inspired world for the collection.

CONTEXT

The collection brought together modern basketball culture and traditional Chinese heritage, using art and storytelling to give the BAD5 range a deeper sense of place and meaning.

APPROACH

I developed the artwork across more than 70 product SKUs, building a bold visual narrative through characters, symbols, pattern and detail that connected history with contemporary streetwear.

CONTEXT

The collection brought together modern basketball culture and traditional Chinese heritage, using art and storytelling to give the BAD5 range a deeper sense of place and meaning.

APPROACH

I developed the artwork across more than 70 product SKUs, building a bold visual narrative through characters, symbols, pattern and detail that connected history with contemporary streetwear.

CONTEXT

The collection brought together modern basketball culture and traditional Chinese heritage, using art and storytelling to give the BAD5 range a deeper sense of place and meaning.

APPROACH

I developed the artwork across more than 70 product SKUs, building a bold visual narrative through characters, symbols, pattern and detail that connected history with contemporary streetwear.

Li-Ning BAD5 lookbook image showing a model in a teal and beige hoodie from the collection, styled in an urban rooftop setting.

Li-Ning BAD5 character illustration showing a basketball player in a blue jersey with Tang dynasty-inspired styling, standing on a court surrounded by willow trees and mountains.

Li-Ning BAD5 apparel campaign photo showing two models wearing illustrated basketball streetwear in front of a historic Chinese landmark, connecting the collection to Chang’An culture.

Li-Ning BAD5 basketball campaign detail showing players wearing illustrated shorts from the collection during a street court game.

Li-Ning BAD5 linework artwork showing the early drawing stage of the Chang’An basketball scene, with historical figures, horses, architecture and basketball details.