Bean Stories
Structural Packaging for Anthon Berg Chocolate Liqueurs
Packaging Design & Structural Form
The Concept:
Because of the Danish ancestry, the new packaging was based on Norse mythology. The packaging bottle's octagonal shape is referring to the ancient Norse symbol of the Vegvísir, a compass with eight directions. Additionally, because the chocolates within are shaped like little bottles, the exterior packaging was created to mimic the same silhouette.
Iterations & Process:
The structural form went through extensive physical prototyping before any digital work began. Multiple paper models were built and tested — a circular petal-fold, a hexagonal form, a stacked modular system, and various locking mechanisms. Each was assessed for stability, ease of assembly, and how well it would protect the bottle-shaped chocolates inside.
The final form is an octagonal petal-fold box with a locking lid. Surface design followed: four detailed line illustrations of the goddesses in an engraving-inspired style, set against deep navy. Celtic knotwork was designed as ornamental dividers between each face. The final physical prototype was printed and hand-assembled.
Planning the layout on paper.
Digital explorations
Paper prototyping: Figuring out the custom dieline
Custom Illustrations of the Norse Goddesses
Knotwork Illustrations
Final Packaging Spread
Key Takeaways:
Building the structure in paper before touching the screen was the most valuable part of this process. Digital tools give you control, but physical prototyping tells you the truth: What holds, what collapses, and what actually works in three dimensions.
