Post 8: Design Preview Report

Figure 1: Cacao Pod Inpired Packaging Render

Project Overview

For my main project, I am designing a dynamic chocolate packaging for a dark chocolate brand developed at a vertically integrated cacao plantation in Chiapas, Mexico: Finca Don Jorge. The chocolate bar is not just a product; it is the final chapter of a story that starts from the moment a cacao pod is harvested. The packaging must reflect that story. It will feature a moving component and an evolving experience, designed with a rich aesthetic influenced by eco-brutalism, inspired by natural textures and craftsmanship, and infused with a modern interpretation of Mexican culture.

The final artifact will combine handmade wooden elements with laser-etched details and dynamic features like a sliding cover or interlocking wooden panels. This will transform a common commodity into a collectible object that can be reused, displayed, and appreciated beyond the consumption of the chocolate inside.

Inspirations and Adapted Designs

My primary inspiration stems from my internship experience at a cacao finca located along the renowned “La Ruta del Cafe” in Chiapas. It was there that I was exposed to the bean-to-bar chocolate movement and the revolutionary concept of crafting chocolate by mastering every step of the process: harvest, fermentation, roasting, grinding, conching, and tempering. This hands-on exposure to the roots of chocolate production inspired me to build a product that could communicate the depth and cultural beauty behind chocolate.

Figure 2: Inspirataion for Texture and Design

Other sources of inspiration include:

• The shape and texture of raw cacao pods.
• High-end woodwork boxes such as Japanese puzzle boxes.
• Eco-brutalist design philosophy, which merges raw, industrial materials with natural beauty.
• Modern Scandinavian minimalism for structure and discipline in layout and packaging proportion.
• Traditional Mexican artisan work, reimagined through a contemporary lens.

All content is self-generated unless otherwise cited in future development.

Vision, Specifications, and Aesthetic

Artistic Vision: The packaging will embrace a modern Mexican aesthetic. It will represent the concept of mestizaje(cultural mixing), integrating natural materials such as raw wood, engraved brass detailing, and sustainable materials. The outside will resemble a cacao pod, and the opening mechanism will imitate the act of peeling a pod to reveal the treasure inside.

Aesthetic Theme: Eco-Brutalist Mestizo. This is a term I coined to describe my desired aesthetic—a blend of raw, unpolished materials with hand-crafted organic details and modern Mexican influence. It respects sustainability and storytelling while celebrating high-end craftsmanship.

Top 5 Specifications:

1. Inspired by the cacao pod in shape, color, and form.
2. Modern representation of Mexican culture—avoiding clichéd pre-Hispanic motifs.
3. High-end craftsmanship with reusability in mind.
4. Unique shelf presence through form and tactile experience.
5. Packaging as an experience: an evolving, dynamic interaction for the user.

Figure 3: Inspired Cacao Shaped Chocolate Bars

Functional Features:

• A sliding mechanism that slowly reveals the chocolate inside.
• Compartments for origin information, tasting notes, and a mini storybook.
• Made from wood or bamboo with laser etching.
• Designed to be reused for storage or display.

Figure 4: Cacao Inspired Packaging Functional Feature

Alternate Aesthetics

1. Scandinavian Minimalism: This version focuses on restraint. A rectangular wooden box with clean lines and a muted color palette. It would feature very light birch wood, fine laser engravings, and a linen band or paper seal that would have to be torn to access the chocolate. While elegant, this design could lose some of the cultural depth I want to highlight.
2. Pop-Luxury Maximalism: A bold, loud package bursting with colors, gold foil accents, and textures. Think Gucci meets Mexico City. This aesthetic might increase shelf visibility and align with luxury branding, but may compromise the sincerity and grounded essence that the chocolate stands for.

These alternatives helped refine my direction. While I admire the discipline of minimalism and the energy of maximalism, neither fully conveys the story I want to tell. I returned to the eco-brutalist mestizo aesthetic with greater confidence.

           

.Figure 5: Alternative Aesthetics

Initial Sketches & Design Development

My early sketches started with the idea of a wooden box with a slide-out drawer. I later added rounded edges to mimic the cacao pod and reduce the boxiness. I sketched internal compartments for flavor notes and artwork.

I am now developing CAD models in Solidworks to fine-tune dimensions and joinery. The packaging will be composed of:

• CNC-milled hardwood or hand-shaped reclaimed wood.
• An internal tray that holds the chocolate.
• Brass pins for movement and interlock.
• Optional magnet system to keep the box closed.

Figure 6: Cacao Pod Inspired Chocolae Bites

Dynamic Component

The dynamic feature of the packaging will be a rotating sleeve or a two-part slide system, inspired by Japanese puzzle boxes. The motion is both functional and symbolic—mirroring the process of opening a cacao pod. Additionally, over time, as the box ages, the wood will develop patina, subtly changing the packaging and making each one unique.

Fabrication Progress

To date:

• I have created digital sketches and CAD work exploring different ideas.
• I’ve been to the wood shop at the idea forge and bagan woodwork practice.
• Started sourcing apropiate wood materials for packaging.

Graphic Timeline of Project

Budget and Materials

Estimated cost breakdown:

• Reclaimed wood: $30
• Brass pins/magnets: $15
• Graphic design printing: $15
• Prototyping foam/MDF: $20
• Finishing materials (oil, brush, etc.): $15
• Backup parts, tools, and extras: $30 Total: ~$150

Anticipated Challenges

• Woodworking Skills: As a beginner, I will need to invest extra time in sanding, fitting, and joining.
• Time Management: Balancing coursework and detail-oriented fabrication will be tough.
• Graphical Design: Creating modern visual storytelling that feels authentic to Mexican heritage requires care.

Success Criteria

I will consider the project successful if:

• It functions smoothly and elegantly.
• It elevates the consumer’s chocolate experience.
• The packaging feels like a treasure chest—making people pause.
• It gets reused by the consumer.
• It earns positive feedback from both aesthetic and function standpoints.

Final Thoughts

This project is more than packaging. It is about reclaiming the story of chocolate in a way that celebrates Mexico’s unique cultural identity and deep-rooted history in cacao. It is about telling that story through touch, movement, scent, and design. I want the user to feel like they are holding a piece of that story, a tangible symbol of the care, place, and people that brought the chocolate to life.

Whether or not I finish this project to its idealized vision, the process of creating it—the learning, the prototyping, the mistakes—is the real success. But my hope is that I can deliver something that lives up to the flavor, care, and pride that it is meant to contain.

I’m excited to bring this concept into form. More to come in the next phase of fabrication.

 

Citation:

Used ChatGPT Imagage generatro to create Figure 3 and Figure 5.

Photos where taken by Lucila Aguilar Arquitectos for Figure 2: https://lucilaaguilar.com/