Choco le‘a, a gourmet chocolate company, approached us to create packaging that evoked the upscale quality of their products while retaining a handmade, artisan feel. Originally, these products were often ordered for use in special events, such as wedding favors. Choco le‘a wanted to expand with a new storefront and needed new, food-safe, budget-conscious packaging that could be stored and assembled efficiently without sacrificing quality. Choco le‘a’s previous packaging used home-printed labels and craft-store boxes and ribbons. It did not reflect the products’ upscale quality or sufficiently meet food-safe standards. The previous packaging was also time-consuming to assemble, taking up valuable time and energy that could be better spent improving the products and expanding the business.
Choco le‘a’s target market consists of customers who seek high-quality chocolates from Hawai‘i, either as a treat for themselves or as ready-made gifts without the need for any additional gift-wrapping. The packaging therefore needed to easily convey the company’s desired image in order to match the products’ price points and value.
Design Solution: Our solution was to create high-end, food-safe, collapsible boxes within a modest budget for efficient storage, assembly, and display in Choco le‘a’s small storefront.
The truffle box lids are designed with an intricately layered flower graphic, creating a sense that the products within are treated with the same attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and care. Each box type and size uses the same design with varying color palettes. The company name is also incorporated into each lid design, ensuring the packaging remains identifiable as Choco le‘a’s when the band around it is removed. A textured paper band on each box is delicately embossed in copper with the company logo; printed beneath the logo are the product details. Each box’s bottom lid is the same solid, deep brown color to emphasize the chocolate products and allow them to shine, and to maintain a recognizable unity among all packaging.
The inside of each bottom lid has phrases like “Made with love” and “A little bit of choco heaven,” verbally bringing the audience to the products. This packaging is highly appropriate to this project’s objectives, bringing a visual complement to the Choco le‘a customers’ overall gourmet food experience.
