Paco Llopis is a master chocolatier. An ingenious craftsman constantly searching for new discoveries in flavors, textures and filling techniques in the world of “bean-to-bar”- an artisanal craft produced entirely under the makers control, in this case, using selected cocoa pods bought directly from local producers in Colombia and other Latin American countries. He came to Lavernia & Cienfuegos with the challenge of creating a new design and unique packaging that effectively communicates who he is and what he does, in other words, a design that represents invention and creativity. He already had a name for his product, Utopick: (a reference perhaps to the creators desire for unattainable perfection and, at the same time, a play on words “you to pick”). He also had a symbol, a ship embodying the spirit of adventure and representing the long voyage the cocoa pods make to reach the Chocolatier – this being the same route taken by Spanish Explorers when they set sail and first brought them back in the Sixteenth Century.
Engaged in the task of how to package the chocolate, Lavernia & Cienfuegos transformed the symbol into an origami boat, a moment that marked the birth of their solution. Utopick package their batches by hand so Lavernia & Cienfuegos created a unique way of folding the paper to wrap the bars. This is a hands-on process which is pure and authentic, embracing the traditions of a skilled craft that is free from the restraints of automation. The paper folds to create two triangles on the front of the design, each with their own colour and texture, personalizing every bar. The packaging opens and closes in a way that makes it easy to rewrap the chocolate making it appear untouched (it’s well known that some people like to keep their chocolate addiction secret). Lavernia & Cienfuegos reproduced the same shapes on the bar, which is pre-cut into big triangles, once again taking advantage of the ships own geometry – the symbol of Utopick. A paper ship that’s travelled from afar.
Awards:
- PENTAWARDS 2017. Gold. Luxury – Gourmet foods.
- THE DIELINE AWARDS 2017. 3rd Place. Confectionary, snacks & desserts.
- LAUS ADG-FAD 2017. Bronze. Product Range. Packaging.
- ADCV 2017. Silver. Graphic Packaging.
Lavernia & Cienfuegos is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Valencia, Spain. They are a global agency specialising in graphic, product and packaging design. They have a strong international reputation with clients in Japan, China, Russia, Belgium, UK, Brazil, Switzerland and Spain.
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