Zimt Chocolates: Advent Packaging Design
Project Info
Year
Type
Roles
Tools
Overview
Zimt Chocolates, a Vancouver-based vegan chocolate brand, is known for its ethical values, zero-waste packaging, and commitment to animal welfare. For their 2022 holiday advent calendar, they envisioned packaging that could evoke empathy and raise awareness for animals in need. This seasonal product required a special design that would stand apart from their usual packaging while still aligning with their brand’s dreamlike, watercolour-inspired aesthetic.
Challenge
How can packaging stir emotion and action?
Zimt Chocolates needed a limited-edition holiday design that would do more than look festive—it needed to tell a story. The challenge: translate a heartfelt vision into a clear, compelling visual narrative within a small space, while also combining two bars’ worth of information into one.
Goals
- Design packaging that tells a visual story with emotional impact
- Differentiate the holiday product from the standard line, while staying on-brand
- Fit two chocolate bars’ product info into a cohesive design
Concept
The concept visually contrasts two realities: an animal outdoors in harsh winter conditions and the same animal safe and cozy indoors. This before-and-after narrative wrapped the product in compassion, aligning beautifully with Zimt’s values. Clear placement of brand, product, and legal info ensured the design remained functional, despite its emotional weight.
Approach
- Early Alignment: Low-fidelity mock-ups helped translate founder Emma Smith’s vision into rough visuals—clarifying tone, story, and composition.
- Illustration Partnership: Illustrator Kate Finlason was brought on to create two contrasting scenes—outdoor hardship and indoor warmth—reflecting the brand’s emotional arc.
- Emotional Resonance: Kate’s tender, whimsical style captured the heart of the concept, helping the packaging connect meaningfully with conscious consumers.
Results
The advent calendar was sold in Indigo stores across Canada during the 2022–2023 holiday season and continued into 2023–2024 due to its strong commercial success. Its warm, story-driven packaging stood out on shelves—fostering an emotional connection with shoppers and amplifying Zimt’s impact-focused brand presence.
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