Shaking up the climbing scene

Shaking up the climbing scene

Shaking up the climbing scene

As co-founder of SQUID Climbing, I spearheaded the design and launch of the SQUID Bottle Opener, a unique product that helped establish our brand in the climbing community during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As co-founder of SQUID Climbing, I spearheaded the design and launch of the SQUID Bottle Opener, a unique product that helped establish our brand in the climbing community during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As co-founder of SQUID Climbing, I spearheaded the design and launch of the SQUID Bottle Opener, a unique product that helped establish our brand in the climbing community during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Year

2020

Client

SQUID Climbing

Worked-on

Product ideation
Product design
Market strategy
Content

Product ideation
Product design
Market strategy
Content

Product ideation
Product design
Market strategy
Content

Product Ideation

The idea for the bottle opener emerged from our desire to position SQUID as a brand that emphasizes fun and inclusivity over performance. This product, along with our clothing line, embodies our mission to make climbing accessible and enjoyable for everyone, no matter where they are on their journey.

Product Design

I was responsible for the product design process, from ideation and prototyping to sampling and production. The bottle openers, modeled after climbing holds, were designed with varying difficulty grades, challenging users to open bottles using finger strength—a playful nod to the climbing world.

Reach within a year

With the pandemic limiting access to bouldering gyms, we pivoted to an online-focused strategy. By tapping into the community's needs during lockdown, we leveraged social media and targeted advertising to generate significant buzz. The bottle openers went viral within the community, driving both product sales and brand awareness.

Content Strategy & Production:

To sustain momentum, I developed a robust content strategy that kept the brand and its products in the spotlight. This included creating engaging visuals, videos, and social media campaigns that resonated with our audience and reinforced SQUID’s playful approach to climbing.