Nidar Sjokolade: A Valentine Edition Chocolate with a Personal Touch

Designing a Unique and Personalized Chocolate Packaging

Norwegians are known for their strong nationalistic pride and their love for their country's nature and history. Designer Stine Strand taps into these emotions with her design for Nidar Sjokolade's Valentine edition chocolate packaging. By incorporating the Norwegian colors and a traditional pattern, the packaging not only captures the hearts of Norwegians but also serves as a delightful souvenir for tourists to take home.

The Valentine edition chocolate packaging is designed to be shared or given as a gift to loved ones. The concept aims to create a more personal connection between the customer and the product. Each packaging features a white paper field where one can write a personal message. The front of the packaging includes fields for "To" and "From," while the back says "to you, from me," providing space for heartfelt messages, poems, or kind words.

Measuring 290mm x 80mm, the Valentine edition packaging is made using Adobe Illustrator. The design is part of a fictional assignment, but Nidar allowed the use of their logo to bring the concept to life. The packaging targets a wide range of consumers, from 16 to 60 years old, appealing to both Norwegians and tourists.

Strand's research into food packaging trends revealed the growing preference for personalized products. Inspired by Coca Cola's successful naming campaign, she recognized the importance of creating connections between brands and customers. With the Valentine edition packaging, customers can make the chocolate their own by personalizing the packaging with their messages, enhancing the emotional bond with the product.

One of the challenges Strand faced was creating a concept that would resonate with a broad age range. Analyzing the success of a competitor that held 80% of the chocolate sales in Norway, she discovered their use of Norwegian national feelings and traditions. Leveraging this insight, Strand incorporated the national Norwegian flag colors and a traditional pattern into her design. By focusing on the shared love for Norway, she created a design that appeals to both men and women, regardless of age.

The Valentine edition chocolate packaging is a school assignment that spanned three weeks. It showcases Strand's creativity, technical skills, and research abilities. The design has garnered recognition and was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2016. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements, contributing to a better world.