Schalk
Year
2021
Services
Product Design
Schalk – Liquid Climbing Chalk Identity
Challenge
In Wuppertal, Germany, a group of friends developed their own liquid chalk formula: affordable, functional, and quickly appreciated in their climbing circle. Word spread, and interest grew. But despite its promise, the product had no name, no logo, no visual identity — a key barrier to expanding beyond the local community.
Process
The opportunity was clear: create a brand that captured not just the technical performance, but also the joy and community spirit of climbing. The chosen name, Schalk, comes from the German word for mischief and playfulness, blended with the English chalk. This dual meaning set the foundation for a bold, vibrant identity.
I developed a visual system that reflects this spirit:
Dynamic typography to convey energy and movement.
A passionate red palette symbolizing happiness, strength, and connection.
Playful brand language that bridges performance with lifestyle.
Outcome
I truly enjoyed this project — it was a chance to propose a complete branding concept for a real community-driven product. While the group of friends appreciated the design, they decided not to pursue Schalk as a business or scale it further. Still, the process was a meaningful exercise in creating an identity that blends performance with personality.
