Standout Features:
- Innovative dual-layer structure
- Tactile and detailed sleeve design
- Culturally rich visual storytelling
HONDO studio are the brains behind the Café Plantel packaging concept, a design that blends storytelling and craftsmanship for this Costa Rican coffee brand. The packaging is designed to offer a dynamic shelf presence and an adaptable branding system, and the resulting design is a success in communicating the brand's heritage and quality.
A key feature is the innovative dual-layer structure. This clever design uses a base package for everyday use and an interchangeable sleeve, allowing Café Plantel to introduce new coffee varieties without a complete redesign. This approach ensures sustainability and efficiency, demonstrating a thoughtful and practical design solution.
Upon closer inspection, the sleeve design is tactile and detailed. It includes micro-perforation for easy opening and a special varnish for an enhanced sensory experience. Bespoke lettering and custom illustrations create a modular visual system, ensuring each sleeve is unique while maintaining the brand's playful and vibrant identity.
Inspired by Costa Rica's traditional "Sodas" (small local eateries) and the region's landscapes, the design celebrates the coffee's origin. The custom logotype features a frog, a symbol from pre-Columbian art representing fertility and agricultural cycles in Costa Rican tradition. The design also uses Chroma Sans, a humanist typeface that reflects the authenticity of the coffee.
For brands in the food and beverage industry, this design offers valuable insights into creating packaging that is adaptable, visually engaging, and culturally resonant. The Cafe shows us that by focusing on meaningful storytelling, brands can create packaging that stands out and fosters a deeper connection with consumers.
