Wrapping a Mercedes with muscle and metal for Cali Move
Design
Compositing
Materials photography
Custom lettering
LEIPZIG, GERMANY
The client
Calisthenic Movement, aka Cali Move, delivers online exercise training videos and programs that focus on skills development, strength, mobility, and nutrition. The Cali Move YouTube channel has over 4.1 million subscribers.
The concept
Cali Move wanted to create a “muscle and metal” Mercedes wrap to raise their profile and promote themselves at events around Leipzig, Germany. Featuring organic muscle and torn metal, the jarring contrast provides a strong promotional tool and conversation starter.
The challenge
Finding single-source references for the unique muscle and metal rendering was a challenge. For this reason, the wrap is comprised exclusively of composite sources. We focused on recreating muscle groups and fibres, specifically the shoulder complex and serratus anterior muscles, highlighting anatomical details. The metal, in contrast, had to be severely shredded and damaged.
The process
We used many sources in multi-layered composites to create raw tissue and metal, including medical diagrams, 3D muscle renderings, images of scrap metal, photos of creeping tree roots (for the blood vessels), and liquid and tissue textures.
Custom lettering
"Make It Look Easy" is a maxim for calisthenics athletes. Executing clean, controlled movement is better for the body than struggling and straining. The takeaway: practice without injury and be confident in training.
The custom lettering appears in matte ink over the glossy vehicle wrap. The phrase is located on the hood and trunk. The matte-over-gloss effect is subtle but visible in ideal light.
Creating letterforms
I scanned and vectorized brush strokes to create composite letterforms. We explored variations on the lettering (angles, sizing, density) to create a feeling of forward-driving strength, like the metal rips on the vehicle wrap itself. The lettering draws on poster titles from classic horror comics, martial arts movies, and modern horror movie titles.