slogan
“Design Your Journey”
BA | 21 Creative Kitchen embodies this philosophy: Brands aren't created from templates, but from attitude. The journey begins with a client's idea – and is transformed into identity through design. The slogan makes it clear: Here, we don't just design, but also provide expert guidance, support, inspiration, and strategic leadership.
"Beyond the Unknown"
BA | Aesthetics is more than just a slogan – it's a design manifesto. The brand aims not only to be visible, but to push boundaries. It stands for visual self-determination, cultural depth, and the courage to position itself beyond the familiar – with new formulas, unconventional perspectives, and an aesthetic that doesn't seek to please, but rather to create impact.
Beyond the Unknown means understanding design as an experiment: as a space for friction, contrast, and narrative power. It is the visual expression of an attitude that is not oriented towards conventions, but rather towards cultural relevance and creative freedom.
Vision Statement
Black-Alaska represents the fusion of strategic clarity, bold visual language, and a powerful design philosophy. As an agency, we create brands that take a stand. As our own brand, we embody what we also enable others to achieve: an aesthetic with depth, cultural relevance, and uncompromising authenticity.
Our vision is a world where design not only communicates but also moves – where visual language tells stories, evokes emotions, and captivates viewers with a profound narrative. A world where brands become cultural forces and convey messages with lasting impact.
Mission Statement
BA | 21 Creative Kitchen
Black-Alaska pursues two complementary approaches. The agency-related division operates under the name BA | 21 Creative Kitchen and offers a diverse range of creative services – with a focus on visual communication, brand development, and strategic consulting.
Specializing in the visual and communicative aspects of brand processes, the focus is on impactful imagery and narrative concepts with a clearly defined, strong brand DNA. The goal is to make brands not only visible but tangible – through design that demonstrates attitude and generates cultural relevance.
BA | Aesthetics
Alongside its agency work, Black-Alaska also sees itself as an independent design brand. Here, creative freedom is not only practiced but consciously staged: as an expression of an inner attitude, a visual signature, and a cultural positioning.
The in-house brand serves as a laboratory for visual language, narratives, and aesthetics – independent of client projects, but inspired by the same principles: depth, relevance, and authenticity. Black Alaska as a brand is a statement that understands design as a cultural dialogue and visual identity as an expression of attitude.
BA | 21 Creative and BA | Aesthetics are deliberately designed for expansion and further development. BA Aesthetics aims to establish itself as a streetwear-oriented brand in the online market, while BA | 21 Creative Kitchen is intended to grow into a multi-person agency – with designers who immerse themselves deeply in their discipline and strive to create something extraordinary.
The BA Philosophy
Design is not merely decorative, but an expression of inner attitude. Black Alaska understands design as a cultural language – strategically conceived, visually striking, and emotionally charged. Every form, every color, every narrative is part of a larger context: an identity that is not only visible, but also tangible.
As an agency, Black-Alaska stands for clarity of thought and courage in execution. As a brand, it represents creative freedom that doesn't aim to please, but to move. The philosophy is based on the conviction that strong brands don't begin with graphics – but with attitude. Powerful visual language arises not from a desire for impact, but from a deeply rooted philosophy.
The more defined a brand's value system, the more confidently and clearly it presents itself in the market. Design becomes a consequence of inner conviction – and thus a cultural force.
Story / Origin
design-oriented
The name Black-Alaska unites two poles: black and white – the most fundamental colors in design – in a concise, striking brand name. It stands for contrast, clarity, and visual reduction. The simplest and most powerful way a brand can present itself is through its icon: a visual symbol of belief that makes a brand's values recognizable and tangible for people.
A central principle in Black-Alaska's design is that an icon must work in black and white before color comes into play. Only when the form, in its purest, most reduced form, is effective can any color be added. The name Black-Alaska refers to this historical principle of graphic design – and makes it the brand's design origin.
The brand concept also reflects the principle of "opposites attract" : black and white as visual opposites that are mutually dependent – like yin and yang. This duality is not only relevant from a design perspective, but also deeply rooted conceptually: tension arises from contrast, clarity from friction.
Furthermore, Black-Alaska opens up an enormous range of storytelling possibilities. Inspiration ranges from Alaska's nature, wildlife, and climate to cultural and historical associations. The name stands for extremes – visual, conceptual, and emotional. This attitude is reflected in the chosen visual language: powerful, pointed, sometimes radical – and always with a healthy dose of humor.
personal
Black-Alaska's visual language is an expression of personal preference and a professional career honed over years within the streetwear and board culture industry. It is characterized by a clear stance, visual directness, and a deep understanding of cultural codes.
For performance-driven creatives, it's essential to create their own outlet – a space where unfiltered ideas and design approaches can emerge freely, without being diluted by client needs or forced into projects. Black Alaska is precisely this space: a creative outlet, a personal statement, a place for creative independence and visual self-determination.
At the same time, building a distinct brand has always been a goal – not only as an expression of creative freedom, but also as a platform for sharing knowledge. Black-Alaska combines both: the opportunity for independent design while simultaneously engaging in collaborative exchange with clients. The solution-oriented process remains central – underpinned by mutual trust, design clarity, and the ambition to jointly develop strong visual identities.
founder
Black-Alaska is run by me, David Schärf , as a sole proprietorship. I bring over 20 years of professional experience in visual communication , brand development , and design strategy – shaped by formative positions at international companies and corporations in the streetwear, skate, and surf industries , as well as the coffee industry , in key design roles.
This combination of design expertise and practical design experience forms the basis for a clear visual signature and a deep understanding of brand identity and target audience engagement. Black-Alaska unites conceptual thinking with design precision and understands design not merely as a service, but as a cultural language.
The structure allows for both independent creative development and collaborative work with a network of freelance creatives, strategists, and specialists. This creates a flexible, project-oriented environment that implements both in-house projects and client commissions with the same design consistency and attention to detail.
Details about my professional career and design background can be found under “About Me” .
Values & Principles
Black Alaska is based on a clearly defined value system that understands design as a cultural language and combines visual communication with attitude.
Design clarity
The focus is on reducing to the essentials, creating meaningful visual communication, and balancing functionality and aesthetics.
authenticity
This is non-negotiable for us. We develop brands with substance – without compromising on design and far removed from superficial trends. Our work aims for cultural relevance, not short-term attention.
Strategic depth
This shapes our process. Every visual decision is based on a conceptual foundation. For us, brands are born from attitude – not by chance.
Cultural responsibility and relevance
For us, this means considering design within a social context. We are sensitive to visual codes and understand brands as part of a larger cultural dialogue.
Independence and autonomy
These are central principles. Our own brand serves as an outlet for creative self-determination. We create space for free creative development – without adapting to customer wishes that would compromise our design integrity.
Cooperation & Respect
These principles shape our collaboration. We work on equal terms, in solution-oriented exchange with clients, and with openness to different perspectives and disciplines.
“Opposites Attract”
It is deeply rooted in our visual DNA. Black and white form our guiding design principle – inspired by the Yin-Yang principle. This duality creates tension, clarity, and energy, and is reflected in our entire visual language.
Quality & Durability
Whether B2B or B2C brand: Every project at Black-Alaska is developed with the highest design standards – not just functional, but with a clear lifestyle focus. The goal is to deliver maximum added value to the client that goes beyond mere communication and creates an emotional connection to the brand.
Our solutions are designed to be visually compelling, culturally relevant, and to convey an aesthetic appeal that holds its own in modern lifestyle contexts. Brands should not only be visible – they should be desirable, remain relevant, and demonstrate a clear stance.
Our focus is on long-lasting design : We create visual systems that don't rely on short-term trends, but on sustainable impact. Brand identities should function consistently for years, remain adaptable, and retain their design appeal – regardless of platform, medium, or current trends.
Benchmark solutions
Black-Alaska aims to develop solutions for clients that not only work but also have a visible impact in the market. The goal is to achieve maximum design and strategic effect – and to position brands in such a way that they clearly and confidently stand out from the competition.
Our benchmark solutions arise from a deep understanding of brand identity, target group behavior, and cultural relevance. They are not about standard solutions or routine design, but about individual concepts that demonstrate a clear stance and have an impact.
Every brand presence is designed to be not only visually compelling but also strategically effective – with clear differentiation, high recognition, and a strong narrative foundation upon which brand identity can be established and expanded in the long term. Black-Alaska doesn't develop "off-the-shelf" designs, but rather tailor-made identities that can compete effectively and resonate with different cultures.
Regardless of whether it is a large or small project, the goal is always to find an approach that stands out from the crowd – precise, relevant and visually distinctive.
What makes BA different?
Black-Alaska represents decades of international experience in the streetwear, skate, surf, and coffee industries – gained in key design roles within the headquarters of industry-leading companies and brands. This expertise encompasses global markets from Australasia to Central Europe and flows directly and authentically into every project.
What makes Black-Alaska special is the personal approach: no traditional agency structure with constantly changing contacts, but direct communication with me, David Schärf. Every project receives individual attention – with consistent design, strategic depth, and a clear understanding of the brand's cultural relevance.
Black-Alaska is not an anonymous creative system, but a deliberately streamlined model: focused, independent, and personal. The client and I develop solutions that are truly needed – not what a scalable matrix dictates or what is standardized and imposed on clients. Instead, a collaborative process emerges, conducted on equal footing, with respect, clarity, and without design compromises.