Matthew Filer
Prior to launching his own freelance graphic design firm, Invictus Designs, Matt Filer attended Ball State University for his BFA with a focus in Visual Communications and Digital Media. His highly identifiable style combines text and accurately drawn portraiture to highlight the life, character, and accomplishments of his subjects.
Art Pieces
Location in Fieldhouse: Key Bank Suites Level
Mel Daniels (34), 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. This piece focuses on Mel Daniels, the ABA’s all-time leader in rebounds and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer who helped the Pacers win three ABA championships from 1970 to 1973. A prolific scorer and force on the boards, Daniels was part of the Pacers frontcourt that powered the team to the top of the League.
Mel Simon, 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. This piece focuses on Mel Simon, co-founder of the Simon Property Group, whose business vision helped fuel the boom of suburban shopping malls across the country, was co-owner of the Pacers and Fever until his passing in 2009. Simon and his brother, Herb, purchased the Pacers in 1983 and committed the franchise long-term to Indianapolis. The Simon Family has long been active philanthropically and is credited with helping to build Indiana and Indianapolis into what it has become.
Reggie Miller (31), 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. This piece focuses on Reggie Miller, the most recognizable Pacers legend of all time and a five-time All Star and Olympic Gold Medalist who was the face of the franchise for his entire 18-year career in the NBA. One of the greatest shooters of all time, Miller led the Pacers during their most memorable rivalry games with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Patrick Ewing’s New York Knicks throughout the 1990s. He was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
George McGinnis (30), 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. This piece focuses on Indianapolis native George McGinnis, another legend who played at Indiana University and spent his entire professional career with the Pacers. McGinnis was instrumental in the Pacers ABA championships in 1972 and 1973 and was named ABA Playoffs MVP, and his frontcourt play helped make the ABA Pacers one of the most successful teams of all time. A three-time ABA and NBA All-Star, McGinnis was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Lin Dunn, 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. This piece is focused on Lin Dunn, who coached the Fever to the 2012 WNBA title following a successful 25-year career as a collegiate coach. From 2008-2014, Dunn helped turn the Indiana Fever into one of the WNBA’s most recognizable and successful franchises. In February 2022, she returned to the Fever as the team’s interim general manager and guided the franchise through a historic 2022 WNBA draft, during which the team selected four of the top 10 picks.
Bobby “Slick” Leonard, 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. This piece focuses on Bobby “Slick” Leonard, the Pacers championship coach and national championship player at Indiana University and played professionally in the NBA. Following a seven-year NBA playing career, Slick moved to coaching and led the Pacers to three ABA championships (1970, 1972, and 1973). His 529 wins as the Pacers’ coach made him the winningest coach in Pacers history, but it was the connection he and his wife, Nancy, maintained with the organization that truly made him one of the most beloved Pacers legend for fans of all ages. He became the Pacers’ TV color commentator in 1985 and later the team’s radio analyst, and his singular catch phrase, “Boom Baby!”, always energized the fan base. Slick, who passed away in 2021, was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014 and his 529 banner hangs in the rafters in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Tamika Catchings (24), 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. The focus of this piece is Tamika Catchings, who was drafted by the WNBA Indiana Fever in 2001 and played from 2002-2016. She is one of the most recognizable and decorated players of all time, one of the few players to have won an Olympic gold medal as well as championships at the high school, college, and professional levels. Catchings broke and set many records in her career, leading the Fever to the league championship in 2012 while racking up five Defensive Player of the Year Awards and the WNBA MVP award in 2011. She was also a member of four Gold Medal USA Olympics teams. Following her retirement she has become a WNBA general manager, a broadcaster, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropic leader. Catchings was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
Roger Brown (35), 2022
Write Up of Piece: Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. The focus of this piece is Roger Brown, the first player signed to the ABA Pacers when the team was established and a franchise legend who helped lead the team to three ABA championships (1970, 1973, and 1974). A forward who was part of the Pacers vaunted frontcourt of the early 1970s, Brown was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.