togo cocoa by Chelsey Brislawn

a cocoa story

Created by Chelsey Ă&#x;rislawn

Chelsey Brislawn GD251 Digital Publication Design MHCC Integrated Media Graphic Design

Branding & Packaging A study in creating a corporate identity for a product line made from cocoa beans imported from Togo, Africa.

This book is a path

through the creative process of inventing a company with a unique product made out of cocoa beans. A country rich in cocoa farming was picked at random. Research on the country’s cultures, economy, agriculture, and style inspired the look and feel of the product and packaging. The choice of what kind of product to “make” was determined by cheif exports of the country, and existing successful markets. Decisions during the design process were heavily influenced by patterns and clothing styles found in cities in the region. Discover a handmade product from the beginning stages of r esearch, to creation of a corporate identity, ideation of a logo, making of the packaging, to the final product photo shoot.

Gulf of Guinea

Togo, Africa

is historically known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;smile of Africa.â&#x20AC;? Savannahs to the North lead to marshy coastal plains in the South. A nearly year-round growing season, and a place where farming is a community celebration create perfect conditions for cocoa trees.

The cocoa tree

originally deemed Theobroma cocoa meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;food of the godsâ&#x20AC;? fruits as green or maroon pods from the trunk of the tree. The pods ripen to a golden yellow or scarlet hue. The pods are harvested and cocoa beans are removed from the white spongy inner husk. The beans are dried, ground into chocolate liquor and pressed to separate the cocoa butter from the cocoa solids. Cocoa butter is a pale yellow pure edible vegetable fat. It is one of the most sustainable fats known. Natural antioxidants, a smooth texture, sweet fragrance and excellent emollient properties make cocoa butter a perfect ingredient for skin care products.

Encouraging responsible, sustainable cocoa growing. Cocoa is a delicate and sensitive crop creating many challenges for cocoa farmers. To help cocoa farmers, their families, and the cocoa farming community, the World Cocoa Foundation takes science into the field. Farmer field schools boost farmer income through improved crop yeilds, diversification, reducing pesticide use, and creating more economic opportunity by improving the quality of the cocoa.

Ĺ&#x201A;ogo cocoa is a bath and body company specializing in skin care products made from cocoa butter from the farms of Togo, Africa. Partnered with WCF, togo cocoa is dedicated to improving cocoa communities and bringing you the finest in chocolate skin care.

Think about �esign The making of togo cocoa began in a sketch book. The next pages will lead you through an image thought process arriving at a solid ideation for a logo. Then re-creating the logo as a vector image, and pairing it with a font. Colors used for the logo image reflect the colors of a ripening cocoa pod, and the colors of Togo’s flag. The font; Amphora Openface was turned into outlines, the openface was removed, and the acenders and decenders were adjusted to perfection. Enjoy a look at what goes into making a company into a personality.

Sketch to vector graphic Ideations became stronger and fully 足realized when translated from sketch book to computer. This cluster of cocoa pods coalesced nicely with a lowercase font with curvaceous rounded serifs.

Creating a label that embodies a country with numuorous cultures, languages and styles was a daunting challenge. My Âsolutions evolved from trends in cosmetic products such as scalloped edges and fancy feminine patterns. However, this look didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t communicate that my product came from Africa, and it was still too corporate looking.

Finding a style After learning about Togo’s emense cloth trade, I delved into gathering patterns, fabrics and pictures of c lothing worn in Togo. I found a variety of geometric and floral patterns; all in very bright e nergetic colors. This lead to my original border design, bright color pallet and a unique hand-made feel.

Fibers & Fabric Three fabric choices were 足selected to compliment the color combination in each label. The fabric patterns are different enough to make it feel as if the soaps were wrapped in leftover scraps from a cloth trade market. Labels for togo cocoa were printed on hand-made paper to continue the organic un-manufactured feel.

delicious bath & body Made with 100% pure organic cocoa butter. Scrub down, rinse off, be envied.