LE BELGE / Le Voyage Collection
SHORT BRIEF.
Create an ultra-premium retail collection targeting premium boutique retail shops, Napa Valley wineries (Napa CA is the home of Le Belge), and high-end hotels.
Create an ultra-premium retail collection targeting premium boutique retail shops, Napa Valley wineries (Napa CA is the home of Le Belge), and high-end hotels.
WHAT WE DID.
Research and concept development, the creation of flavor profiles with Marketing and R&D. The design of the packaging and visual system, complete with new chocolate truffle and bar molds, was developed in collaboration with designers for Le Belge, namely the wildly talented Mike Boos.
DOWNEAST / Cider House Exclusive Series
SHORT BRIEF.
The Cider House Exclusive Series highlights the premium, experimental side of Downeast Cider. Each limited-release flavor pairs unexpected, seasonal ingredients with a more refined, artisanal aesthetic while still staying true to the brand’s approachable personality. The goal: maintain loyalty among core fans while attracting new consumers with a more elevated palate.
The Cider House Exclusive Series highlights the premium, experimental side of Downeast Cider. Each limited-release flavor pairs unexpected, seasonal ingredients with a more refined, artisanal aesthetic while still staying true to the brand’s approachable personality. The goal: maintain loyalty among core fans while attracting new consumers with a more elevated palate.
WHAT WE DID.
We partnered with the Downeast team from concept to final artwork, applying our process to build a flexible design system that ties the series together. Each can features hand-drawn, watercolor-style illustrations of key ingredients, giving the lineup a crafted, small-batch feel. The first of four flavors was Yuzu & Ginger, a 2025 Spring release.
It was a true collaboration—clear vision, creative trust, and a lot of fun along the way. And the flavors? Yuzu & Ginger is genuinely delicious. We were thrilled to create artwork that pairs so well with what’s inside the can.
Visit Downeast’s TAP HOUSE and try it for yourself ︎︎︎
It was a true collaboration—clear vision, creative trust, and a lot of fun along the way. And the flavors? Yuzu & Ginger is genuinely delicious. We were thrilled to create artwork that pairs so well with what’s inside the can.
Visit Downeast’s TAP HOUSE and try it for yourself ︎︎︎
Step 1: Aligning on the System
We kicked things off by working with the Downeast team to define the design hierarchy for the new series. Our goal was to build a system that could flex across future flavors while staying cohesive. We shared a variety of layouts using greyscale ‘sketches’ of the artwork, giving the team space to react and help shape the direction from the ground up. Other flavors were included in this study, but we can only share Yuzu & Ginger at the moment ︎.
With feedback from the team, we landed on the design hierarchy below.
During concepting, we’re working to get on the same page with our partners. We share inspiration, color ideas, and art styles early on to make sure we’re heading in a direction that feels right for everyone.
Step 2: Creating the art
With the system in place, we moved into developing the ingredient illustrations and exploring how color could bring each flavor to life in layout. This is one of the most fun parts of the process for us. It's hands-on, creative, and full of discovery.
Mel paints each ingredient illustration by hand using watercolor. We then bring those scans into Photoshop to refine, clean up, and prep for layout. It’s an iterative process that thrives on collaboration and keeps the final artwork feeling fresh, crafted, and full of character.
Step 3: Finalizing the Artwork
With initial concepts explored and feedback in hand, we start honing in on the final artwork and color. This phase is all about refinement, tightening the details, fine-tuning the palette, and making sure everything feels cohesive and shelf-ready. We make updates to key elements like marketing copy and NLEA info so everything is accurate. Recommendations on ways to optimize the finish for the metallic substrate are made, and 3D can renderings are provided.
︎Image below by Downeast
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Other flavors are already in the works, and we can’t wait to share more once Downeast rolls out these incredible new releases.
L’OR / Iced Coffee capsules
SHORT BRIEF.
Develop an adaptation of the existing coffee capsule packaging system that would differentiate the launch of Iced Coffee Packaging and Iced Coffee Capsules. While the initial launch was for Black Iced, we also needed to consider how this might roll out to Flavored Iced Coffee. Brand guardrails were provided along with which elements would be open to exploration.
Develop an adaptation of the existing coffee capsule packaging system that would differentiate the launch of Iced Coffee Packaging and Iced Coffee Capsules. While the initial launch was for Black Iced, we also needed to consider how this might roll out to Flavored Iced Coffee. Brand guardrails were provided along with which elements would be open to exploration.
WHAT WE DID.
We collaborated closely with L’OR’s marketing and creative team from concept to final artwork, applying our process to adapt their existing design system in a way that accentuates the uniqueness of the Iced series and allows for growth into flavors and seasons. The box is currently available in the UK and France - sorry to our American friends, you‘ll just have to take that long overdue Paris ︎ trip to try this one out...
Project Deliverables:
Project Deliverables:
- Iced Package Design
- Iced Capsule Design
- Package and Capsule renderings
Step 1: Initial concepting and solving design challenges
There were several design challenges that needed to be fleshed out:
1 - How do we communicate ICED in the most clear and effective way ensuring shoppers understand the product benefits at a glance, while maintaining unity with the rest of the Coffee Capsule range?
2 - Should the updated Barista machine be incorporated in a unique way to support differentiation vs the rest of the Espresso and Coffee Capsule range or should it be removed completely?
3 - How can visual cues (i.e. the iced appetite appeal) be utilized to educate shoppers about the new iced capsule offering and functionality?
4 - What category cues should be considered to help shoppers immediately recognize L’OR’s iced capsule packaging?
To start the process, we worked through an initial round of rough sketches in order to quickly share potential solutions and garner feedback.
Once we had the ︎ from the team, we refined the greyscale sketches so they could be shared with their leadership group.
In addition to the packaging, we explored designs for the coffee capsule. Shown here is the selected concept for their new Iced capsule.
To wrap up the concepting phase, we added color to the approved package sketch to help the team better visualize their selection. The capsule artwork was also updated - a full graphic repeat was created, and capsule colors were limited to one.
Step 2: Creating the final art
With initial ideas explored and an approved concept in hand, we start honing in on the final artwork and color. We needed to incorporate a few more key elements to finish off the design.
• The newly updated Barista [2.0] machine needed to be integrated with the correct glass, which posed a challenge - we only had a rendering (image) of the machine and a physical glass, so we had the glass photographed and merged the two to create the final visual.
• A more distinctive ice texture was added to the background to enhance the overall ICED appetite appeal and communication.
• A more distinctive ice texture was added to the background to enhance the overall ICED appetite appeal and communication.
Step 3: Finalizing the Artwork
This phase is all about refinement, tightening the details, and making sure everything feels cohesive and shelf-ready. We finalize key elements like marketing copy and NLEA info so everything is accurate. Recommendations on ways to optimize the finish are made, and final 3D renderings are provided.
︎Images below by L’OR
LINDT USA / Classic Recipe
THE BRIEF.
Lindt is expanding their range of products for Classic Recipe beyond bars and into other formats like spreads, individual wrapped pieces, and the Non-Dairy category. In each case, the objective is to extend the current Classic Recipe design language to these new products while utilizing the equities of the brand to ensure consistency and strengthen recognition on-shelf.
Lindt is expanding their range of products for Classic Recipe beyond bars and into other formats like spreads, individual wrapped pieces, and the Non-Dairy category. In each case, the objective is to extend the current Classic Recipe design language to these new products while utilizing the equities of the brand to ensure consistency and strengthen recognition on-shelf.
WHAT WE DID.
We worked with the Classic Recipe Brand Marketing team to determine which elements in the existing bar design architecture had to remain and those that could be removed.
The result was a relatively flexible design system that allowed for necessary adaptations while maintaining key brand assets.
Lindt Classic Recipe’s core bar range set the design standard as we explored how the design architecture would adapt to new packaging formats and with new product innovations.
Lindt Classic Recipe + Gold Bar
Lindt Classic Recipe - Les Grande Bars (whole nuts)
Lindt Classic Recipe - Panned
Lindt Classic Recipe - Hazelnut Spread
Lindt Classic Recipe - Holiday Pieces Pouch & Sticks with PDQ
Lindt Classic Recipe - S’mores Promotional Mailer
Mailer Insert
DYLAN’S / Color Wheel & Swatches
SHORT BRIEF.
In a meeting with Dylan's product development and creative teams, they floated the idea of a chocolate color wheel to showcase their full range of flavored squares.
In a meeting with Dylan's product development and creative teams, they floated the idea of a chocolate color wheel to showcase their full range of flavored squares.
WHAT WE DID.
Structural concepts and development of the outer PET circular structure, the inner tray, and label.
Working closely with one of our partner factories in southern China throughout development and was present during the initial production run. Below are a few of the pictures from the factory and of the early prototypes.
Initial prototypes.
At the same time the ‘Chocolate Wheel’ was being developed, the ‘Chocolate Swatches’ packaging was also underway.
