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 structure 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.
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.
LINDT - LINDOR / Valentine’s Day Heart Range
THE BRIEF.
The previous collection of Lindt / LINDOR Valentine’s Hearts had been on the market for 6+ years and needed a refresh. The brief called for designs that would sit alongside LINDOR’s new seasonal graphics, for a cohesive on-shelf expression of the brand. The target demo was men and women, between 25 and 54. The design needed to meet all brand and regulatory requirements for both the (3) LINDOR and (4) Lindt branded hearts.
The previous collection of Lindt / LINDOR Valentine’s Hearts had been on the market for 6+ years and needed a refresh. The brief called for designs that would sit alongside LINDOR’s new seasonal graphics, for a cohesive on-shelf expression of the brand. The target demo was men and women, between 25 and 54. The design needed to meet all brand and regulatory requirements for both the (3) LINDOR and (4) Lindt branded hearts.
WHAT WE DID.
We provided a competitive overview, and trend research that identified a few [stylistic] approaches which would support their new seasonal designs. Their team chose the watercolor floral direction. Our creative process allowed for collaboration and feedback to be integrated, so we ended up with final designs that the Lindt team was proud to share with their customers.
We provided a competitive overview, and trend research that identified a few [stylistic] approaches which would support their new seasonal designs. Their team chose the watercolor floral direction. Our creative process allowed for collaboration and feedback to be integrated, so we ended up with final designs that the Lindt team was proud to share with their customers.
︎ photos courtesy of Lindt USA
THE PROCESS.
After aligning with the marketing team on the creative direction and a series of floral swipes, Melanie developed custom watercolor paintings that would pair nicely with Lindor’s new seasonal artwork. Below are the original scans, before the art was cleaned up and used to create the design.
We worked through a few compositions, while providing recommendations on how special [printing] processes could be integrated, using a combination of 3D renderings & mechanical layouts. The flowers were accented with thin, offset line art in gold foil. We applied spot gloss and embossing throughout the art on the small heart graphics and flowers to help the art shine on shelf and provide some tactile features.
After aligning with the marketing team on the creative direction and a series of floral swipes, Melanie developed custom watercolor paintings that would pair nicely with Lindor’s new seasonal artwork. Below are the original scans, before the art was cleaned up and used to create the design.
We worked through a few compositions, while providing recommendations on how special [printing] processes could be integrated, using a combination of 3D renderings & mechanical layouts. The flowers were accented with thin, offset line art in gold foil. We applied spot gloss and embossing throughout the art on the small heart graphics and flowers to help the art shine on shelf and provide some tactile features.
︎ photos courtesy of Lindt USA
THE RESULT.
We delivered final Lindor heart designs within 3 weeks. This required 2 rounds of [minimal] revisions to finalize and deliver print-ready artwork for Lindor. We also provided creative / art direction for their Formal Gifting range of hearts (a mix of various praline truffles - 4 skus).
The hearts have been successfully selling for several years now and have made their way around the world and of course onto instagram.
We delivered final Lindor heart designs within 3 weeks. This required 2 rounds of [minimal] revisions to finalize and deliver print-ready artwork for Lindor. We also provided creative / art direction for their Formal Gifting range of hearts (a mix of various praline truffles - 4 skus).
The hearts have been successfully selling for several years now and have made their way around the world and of course onto instagram.
IN-STORE VISUALIZATIONS.
Our design services also include the creation of compelling in-store visualizations. These 3D renderings capture the context of the customer’s unique store environment, and are intended to inspire and spark discussion between a buyer and your sales & marketing team.
Our design services also include the creation of compelling in-store visualizations. These 3D renderings capture the context of the customer’s unique store environment, and are intended to inspire and spark discussion between a buyer and your sales & marketing team.
2023 Cart display at Target - front.
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2023 Cart display at Target - back.
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2022 On-shelf at Walgreens.
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On-shelf at our local grocery store.
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On-shelf at our local grocery store.
