Origins

Co-Founder's Story The story of Covalence begins with a vision to bridge the gap between science, art, and fashion. Co-founded by Patrick Janiak, a concept designer with a background in master planning, costume design, and personal training, and Dr. Nathan Walworth, a bio-geneticist and climate scientist, Covalence was born from the understanding that today's world requires more than beauty—it demands utility, adaptability, and empathy. Together, they sought to create something greater than the sum of its parts, merging creativity with science to craft products that genuinely improve the human experience.

Designer's Personal Background: Patrick Janiak

In my early 20's and in University, I lived in seven different cities, three of which were international. Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Boulder, Barcelona, Robin's Bay, Jamaica, and San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala. 

Growing up in the Midwest, I saw and felt how natural systems shape the world around us. Discomfort and change were part of growth.

There are natural systems and there are one's in which we engineer. I believe that we have the ability to implement our own systems to create the change we want to see.

My design philosophy is rooted in diverse experiences, each one teaching me systematic methods to achieve meaningful goals. These disciplines shaped my understanding of how design influences interactions, agency, and connection.

 Master Planning and Landscape Architecture: Designing for Longevity

Master planning and landscape architecture expanded my perspective to include long-term impact. 

From designing a single city bench to remediating an entire brownfield site, I saw how thoughtful design transforms environments, empowers communities, and even influences crime rates.

 Fly Fishing: Observing Nature’s Systems

Fly fishing taught me to view ecosystems holistically. Understanding the fish’s perspective—seeing how they experience the river and the fly—reinforced the importance of interconnectedness between life and the environment.

 Personal Training: The Cascading Effects of Design & Habit

Personal training revealed how poor ergonomic habits affect more than just the body—they shape behavior, mental resilience, and emotional well-being.

By correcting one small imbalance, we reverse chronic issues and improve quality of life, demonstrating the ripple effects of well-designed systems.

 Live Action Stunt Performance: Crafting Immersive Worlds

Creating immersive worlds for live-action stunt performances taught me the power of environmental storytelling.

The costuming allowed someone to be lit on fire, break dance, or become a prehistoric animal. The designs allowed for the performer to embody how their character was to "show up," as scripted.

This reinforced a key truth:

The elements you choose—what you wear, what you bring with you, and your mindset, allows you to engage and respond to the world around you. There is only so much in our control, so lets capitalize on what we can control. 

Costume Design: 

In costume design, I learned how pockets were often not included in the design of stage designed costumes because of their complexity and framework of the clothing. The use of pockets in clothing is ubiquitous, when worn for the everyday, so they tend to wear out faster and cause a malfunction in the entire framework of the garment.

 I saw how extending the lifespan of this essential detail transformed not just functionality but also personal expression and confidence. Balance Bags add a functional layer to a wardrobe, not only reimagining a look, but allows someone to extend the life of their favorite clothing and compromising the structural integrity through the use of their pockets, so heavily. 

My Design Response:

There is already a heavy environmental footprint laid by the fashion industry. There are enough styles and remixes of styles that I do not see a need to create a traditional clothing line.

My design philosophy is grounded in cognitive psychology, behavioral science, and the principles of extended cognition. By integrating these disciplines into our creative process, we produce accessories that support mental clarity, promote presence, and reduce daily stress. Our products aren't just stylish—they are essential. They reduce the mental clutter associated with everyday decisions, fostering a calmer, more focused state of mind.