Project: Chariot Chocolatiers
In one of my digital media classes in college, we were given an Adobe Illustrator group project in which we had to create a product line for a made-up company. Each group member was responsible for designing packages for at least two variants of the product, as well as a customer-facing master box for the two packages. Our group settled on chocolate products, and I was responsible for designing the packages for the chocolate bars.
Software/Tools Used:
Adobe Illustrator
Process
Chariot Chocolatiers was born of a brainstorm that sought to combine the word “chocolate” with similar-sounding words to achieve a fun and catchy symbol that consumers would remember. Selecting the word “chariot” inspired the history buff in me to land with the Roman aesthetic. The colors red and yellow are key to Roman culture and, coincidentally, are frequently found with existing food brands (designed, of course, to stimulate appetite).
The Roman aesthetic also lent itself to the creation of the logo, which took advantage of the circular shape of the letter “C,” which became a helmet. Using the shape builder tool in Adobe Illustrator, I was able to seamlessly combine the plumage of a centurion helmet with the outlined text. All the vector graphics that I did not create were sourced from free-to-use image platforms.
For the chocolate bars, I modeled the dimensions and drew inspiration from Hershey’s chocolate bars as they are so ubiquitous. While out and about shopping for chocolate, I saw Hershey’s bulk candy bar packaging was shaped somewhat like a chariot. Keeping the form of the box the same, I took the wheel element from the chariot on the logo and placed it on the sides. I further integrated the logo into the design on the back of the package, making a flowering motif for the front of the chariot.
Concept Design process including initial planning and ideation.
Final concept before prints on the dark chocolate bar.
Final concept before prints on the dark chocolate bar.
Final concept before prints on the "chariot" packaging.
Physical model (pt.1).
Physical Model (pt.2).
Takeaways
Though this was one of my early college projects, I am still impressed with how the design holds up today. At the time, I still had much to learn about Adobe Illustrator, but this project saw the birth of my digital creativity and my love for Illustrator. I always look back at this project as the true origin point for my decision to become a graphic designer because it reflects a time when I felt truly alive and inspired in my creative process. I hope to one day work in package design again to make a living from this venture.