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Copyright © J.M.H

GNEIS Climbing


Logo, identity and signage design for climbing center GNEIS


Fig.01. — Signage design 

i. Project Background
        GNEIS is a new chain of climbing centers, launched in Oslo, Trondheim, and Bergen — with more to follow. Named after gneiss, one of Norway’s most iconic climbing rocks, the brand needed an identity rooted in nature, movement, and strength.


Fig.02a. — Palette inspiration #1
Fig.02b. — Palette inspiration #1 
Fig.02c. — Palette inspiration #1 



Client:
GNEIS


Product:
Identity & Signage

Year:
2024


Design, art direction:
Joseph Hodgson


Designed @:
Racecar

ii. Process & Result
         I drew inspiration directly from gneiss’ distinctive characteristics, using it to guide the construction, form, and color palette. The GNEIS logo mark is based on the letter "G," fractured into smooth, organic shapes using a generative Voronoi system — echoing both natural stone formations and the climbing holds found indoors.

        For typography, we chose Poppins Extra Bold Italic — a solid, weighty font that speaks to the durability of rock, while the italic angle suggests motion and ascent.

        The identity uses two color palettes: a natural, muted set drawn from actual gneiss stones, and a vibrant, contrasting set inspired by the colorful holds found in climbing gyms. Each center gets a unique version of the G-mark and a signature highlight color, allowing flexibility while keeping the system consistent.

        The logo also comes to life in signage, extruded into 3D forms that mirror the look and feel of climbing volumes — bold, tactile, and unmistakably GNEIS.

Fig.03. — GNIES colour palette
Fig.04. — Typography

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