My Chocolate Packaging Project
The designs presented below were crafted in response to a brief for Curated Codex. Annually, Curated Codex hosts an exhibition featuring designs resulting from collaborations with their talented designers, exploring diverse art histories. This event, along with their active presence on social media platforms, serves as a focal point for engaging with their primary audience. Celebrating artists and histories, they seamlessly integrate these narratives into their packaging designs.
Curated Codex stands as a fair-trade, ethically driven company specializing in exquisite, plant-based, and certified organic chocolate. Their commitment to environmental consciousness is reflected in their entirely compostable wrappers, and the operations of their factory are powered by 100% renewable energy.
Presented here are three distinctive designs, marking the introduction of their latest collection, the "New World Collection." This ensemble comprises three new luxurious chocolate flavors Blooming Berries, Smoked Salt and Minimalist Mint tailored for those with opulent tastes.
Blooming Berries Visual Investigation
In my visual exploration, I delved into an array of textures inspired by the 'Blooming Berries' chocolate flavour and drew influence from the Art Nouveau historical art period. These textures evoke the organic floral patterns found in nature, harmonising with the distinctive style of Art Nouveau. The overall mood of the design is characterised by a light, playful, lush, and organic aesthetic.
All the textures are carefully incorporated onto various paper surfaces, a deliberate choice to resonate with the environmentally conscious target audience. Ensuring that every element remains 100% compostable aligns seamlessly with the company's commitment to sustainability and aligns with their overarching objectives.
Typography + Colour
The typography examined in this investigation is curvy, romantic, and elegant. It features long curves reminiscent of women's hair and the flowing stems of flowers. It's a decorative font that's modern, refreshing, and exudes a luxurious feel. I selected this typeface "Bottuckey" because it complements both the historical art period and the 'Blooming Berries' chocolate flavor seamlessly.
Throughout my research, I uncovered a recurring palette in Art Nouveau pieces, featuring the same colours in various nuanced shades. Simultaneously, my investigation into blooming berries revealed similar hues. This exploration led me to the conclusion that much of the artwork from the 1880s drew inspiration from the floral and fauna of that era.
The colours I derived from this research include green, yellow, fawn, pink, purple, and mauve. These colours transition from vibrant to subdued, creating a visually pleasing effect. Notably, the palette incorporates complementary colours such as purple and yellow, as well as green and orange.
Minimalist Mint Visual Investigation
In my visual exploration, I delved into various textures associated with the 'Mint' chocolate flavour and drew inspiration from the Bauhaus movement. These textures echo organic patterns found in nature and are influenced by natural elements shaped by weather in the environment. The overall mood is light, crisp, and cold, aiming to harmonise with the taste of mint, accentuated by a menthol-like finish.
All textures are carefully curated to evoke the cold or soft sensations of nature. This choice is intentional to resonate with the environmentally conscious target audience, ensuring that every element remains 100% compostable, aligning seamlessly with the company’s objectives.
Typography + Colour
The typography explored in this investigation features solid and thin lines and relaxing curves. I aimed for something simple yet light to emphasize the ‘minimalist’ aesthetic. I chose the typeface Fira Sans as it aligns with the Bauhaus movement on lines and shapes while maintaining a minimalistic design for the Minimalist Mint chocolate flavour.
I explored various colours associated with the ‘Minimalist Mint’ chocolate flavour and the historical period of the Bauhaus movement in this visual investigation. Despite the limited presence of blues and greens in the artworks, the ones I discovered showcased subtle alterations in value. These included yellow-green, green, blue-green, and blue shades. Much like the variations in light and tonal value that help us distinguish complex visual information in our environment.
During my research on mint, I uncovered 24 variations, such as Peppermint, Spearmint, Pineapple mint, and Apple mint, among others. They exhibit distinct sizes and colours.
The colours I derived from this research are Mint, Limechellow, Moss, Seafoam, Sky, and Chilled-Blue. These colours share similarities and feature light and tonal values.
Smoked Salt Visual Investigation
These textures draw inspiration from organic matter and various weather phenomena. Cubism, known for its rustic and rough characteristics, aligns well with the nature of Smoked Salt. The overall mood is dark, eccentric, gloomy, and harsh. The historical art period complements the Smoked Salt flavour seamlessly, as both are perceived to possess a moody quality.
Typography + Colour
The typography examined in this investigation is sharp, rough, and decorative. It features strong lines or rough edges, drawing inspiration from Cubism and the characteristics of Smoked Salt. These decorative fonts present a modern and chaotic feel. I selected the typeface Smoke Attack because it harmonizes well with the historical art period and the Smoked Salt chocolate flavour.
During my research, I noticed repetitive colours in Cubism art pieces—similar hues appearing in different variant shades. While exploring the Smoked Salt flavour, I found a few colours that resonated, ranging from very bright to dreary. Opting for dreary colours, I aimed to create a connection with the Smoked Salt flavour. I sought a dark and mysterious colour palette that remains modern and eccentric.
Logo and Monogram Exploration
The exploration for the logo for Curated Codex was an enjoyable pursuit, combining elements of fun, elegance, and simplicity. My vision was to create a design that not only radiated readability but also stood out and remained instantly recognisable even from a distance.
On the top page, a myriad of sketches explores the versatility of the letter 'C'. These variations represent just a glimpse into the numerous ways the letter was creatively integrated. The sketches of "plark" on the same side drew inspiration from the captivating plark descriptions displayed beneath artworks at the gallery, adding an artistic touch to the exploration.
Sliding to the bottom page, the focus shifts to sketches incorporating the word "codex." Here, the goal was to craft a visual representation that conveys a sense of holding a wealth of knowledge. Each sketch aims to encapsulate the essence of Curated Codex, where elegance and simplicity seamlessly intertwine with a wealth of artistic and intellectual treasures.
Curated Codex Original Logo
Logo Concepts
Monogram Concepts
The monogram concepts presented below initially embraced a "plark-like" style, but when incorporated into a square shape, it didn't quite achieve the desired aesthetic. Recognising that this would be too large for a monogram, a strategic decision was made to pivot towards a simpler CC design.
This streamlined approach ensured that the monogram could be effectively stamped onto individual pieces of chocolate, striking a balance between elegance and practicality in the final design.
Curated Codex Final Logo Design
Below are concepts of the "plark" that didn't quite hit the mark but played a pivotal role in shaping the final design. Valuable feedback guided the evolution of the concept, suggesting the enhancement of solidity in the diamonds at the top and a deliberate shift in the outline, adding an off-center element. These adjustments proved instrumental in refining the overall design and steering it towards its successful conclusion.
The design below took inspiration from the "plarks," with the three diamonds at the top symbolizing delectable pieces of chocolate. This amalgamation aims to convey a unique and flavourful identity for the brand in colours Salmon, Stone and Seafoam.
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