Salkan

A hand-illustrated identity for a backpack brand born by two friends and the love of travel.

Intrepid explorers, Tom and Will founded Salkan after meeting in the Alps. They bonded over their love of travel and shared frustrations of not being able to find the perfect traveller’s backpack. Once back in the UK they set up business and began designing their first bag.

They named this new venture Salkan. Taken from the Salkantay trek, a lesser-known route to Machu Picchu. It translates to mean ‘wild and adventurous’, and encompasses much of the spirit and ethos they hold towards travelling and backpacking.

Salkan backpack brand identity logo
The Salkan van on a beach
Salkan logo on bag
Hand illustrated beach scene for Salkan brand identity
Booklet design for Salkan backpack brand identity

We created the brand identity around a symbol of the sun which has such spiritual importance in Peruvian mythology when Inti, the sun god ruled the Inca empire. We also loved that it was something that connected all backpackers around the world, whatever kind of adventure or country they’d be exploring.

Salkan logo
Travel mugs for Salkan backpack brand identity
Salkan backpacks brand identity postcards
Salkan swing tags

Creating a collection of hand drawn illustrations we captured the excitement of travel and memorable experiences we associate it with. Everything from tuk tuks to elephants, backpacks to mini buses, and passports to monkeys!

Hand illustrated pattern design for Salkan brand with tuk tuk monkey campervan trees parrot palms backpack
Moped illustration of backpackers for Salkan
Hand illustrated tuk tuk in Asian city for travel brand

Brand identity, Illustration

London, UK

Do you think we’re a good fit?

Get in touch to discuss your project