Lilimé is an artisanal chocolate brand inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic. The project focuses on celebrating the flavors, craftsmanship, and traditions of Caribbean chocolate-making while creating a playful, vibrant, and culturally immersive brand identity. Lilimé draws inspiration from the iconic Dominican faceless dolls, symbolizing resilience and cultural pride, infusing each chocolate bar with a sense of place and story.
My Approach
I wanted Lilimé to feel like more than just a chocolate bar—it needed to embody the vibrant culture and artistry of the Dominican Republic. My design approach combined traditional elements, like the iconic faceless dolls, with modern, playful packaging to attract a wide audience. I used bright, tropical colors and hand-drawn elements to reflect the Caribbean’s warmth and energy. Each chocolate flavor—Milk Chocolate, Coconut, Passion Fruit, and Coffee—was given its own unique color palette, while maintaining consistency across the brand. The typography was carefully chosen to balance artisanal charm with modern sophistication, ensuring Lilimé feels both premium and approachable.
Unique Challenges
The challenge was to design a unique chocolate brand that not only highlights the rich flavors of Caribbean cacao but also weaves cultural storytelling into every element of the branding. The goal was to create a cohesive brand identity that appeals to both local and international markets, emphasizing artisanal craftsmanship, heritage, and indulgence while standing out on the shelves.
The Process
Research & Concept Development
Studied Dominican chocolate production and its cultural significance, focusing on small farms and artisanal techniques.
Explored visual inspirations from Dominican faceless dolls, tropical landscapes, and vibrant local art.
Conducted a competitor analysis of brands like Kahkow and Xocolat to identify market gaps and design opportunities.
Brand Identity Creation
Developed hand-drawn sketches of the brandmark, incorporating the faceless doll iconography to represent cultural heritage.
Selected a tropical and warm color palette, using tones like pink, turquoise, yellow, and earthy browns to reflect the Caribbean’s vibrancy.
Chose Acumin Variable Concept Condensed for typography, pairing it with playful script fonts to balance modernity with artisanal charm.
Packaging Design
Designed packaging concepts that highlight each flavor with distinct color schemes and hand-drawn graphics.
Created dielines and package comps to ensure functional, eye-catching designs that stand out on store shelves.
Explored additional brand touchpoints, including shipping boxes, billboards, and delivery truck wraps for cohesive brand storytelling.
Final Deliverables
Brandmark & Logo System
Packaging Suite
Print & Digital Assets
Conclusion
The Lilimé Chocolate Brand merges cultural storytelling with indulgent flavor, offering consumers a piece of the Dominican Republic in every bite. This project allowed me to explore the fusion of tradition and modern branding, from conceptualizing a culturally rich narrative to developing eye-catching packaging and cohesive brand assets. The result is a playful yet premium chocolate brand that highlights the artistry and heritage behind every bar.
