Brazil & Murgel Design Studio · CLIENT: Dengo Chocolates
Dengo 80g is a chocolate bar created for Dengo Chocolates. The sculptural shape represents elements of the Atlantic Forest in Bahia, Brazil, where the cacao is harvested, such as dry leaves, foliage and seeds. Curved surfaces combine two-dimensional and three-dimensional lines, so the polished finish reflects light across the bar. The bar is produced in polycarbonate moulds made from CNC machined aluminium templates, which hold the fine lines and curves. The varied thickness gives a crisp snap when the bar is broken.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Since a glossy chocolate tells a lot about its quality, the shape was designed in order to treat the light as something tangible. The light is explored on a surface that results from a combination of 3D and 2D lines, creating volumes and shapes that portray elements from the Atlantic Forest, where Dengo's cacao is harvested. The chocolate becomes a sculpture that represents seeds, fruits and leaves in an effort to inspire, create brand recognition and convey the brand's message to the consumer.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 80g / Width 80mm x Depth 180m x Height 8 mm (aprox)
- Tags
- Cocoa, Chocolate, edible, Brazil & Murgel, organic, Brazilian Atlantic forest, cacao, Dengo, Brazil, Bahia
- Production Technology
- After the first creative steps, which included roughs and hand-carved wax modeling, it was developed the digital model to generate the moulding templates in CNC machined aluminum. This templates were used to manufacture polycarbonate chocolate moulds that guarantees high fidelity of the lines, curves and surfaces, as well as the high-polished finishing of the chocolate.
- Design Challenge
- Dengo aims for real environmental and social impact through a short production chain, valuing the cocoa farmer's work. Besides, the brand has a spontaneous visual and verbal identity, with a very strong Brazilian identity and style. Therefore, it was essencial that the bar it self should tell the story about it's origin, as well as disrupting the monotony found in ordinary chocolate bars in order to reflect authenticity, spontaneity and the Brazilianness found in the brand's personality.
- Project Duration
- The project took place in Sao Paulo, between May and October 2018.
- Operation Flow
- Dengo Chocolate Bar should be intensely perceived through all the senses. Firstly, the bar comes as a surprise after opening its wraps, presenting an unpredictable shape. The vision engages the perception of high quality chocolate by it's polished surface, as the shape communicates the cacao's origin. Secondly, the dynamic thickness allows a crisp snap, which means it is a well-tempered chocolate and provides a good biting experience that enhances the perception of the flavor as well.
- Research
- The first of many layers of research is the origin of Dengo's cacao: the cabruca, a traditional cocoa agroforestry system, located in the heart of the Atlantic Forest in Bahia, Brazil. In cabruca, cacao trees are cultivated under tall native species that filter access to light, and promote an active cycle of organic matter, enriching the soil with water and nutrients. Interviews with cocoa farmers, images and visits to the Atlantic Forest were a rich complement for the creation of the concept.
- Inspiration
- The design represents elements found in the Atlantic Forest, the origin of Dengo's cacao, such as dry leaves on the ground, foliage of the tall trees that provide an interesting play of light and shadow, and a variety of seeds. The aesthetics is also influenced by Tarsila do Amaral and Lasar Segall, two of the leading Brazilian Modern Artists. Some key characteristics of their work guided to an expressive style, consistent with what had already been created for the brand in previous projects.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Rubens Kato
Image #2: Estudio Gastronomico
Image #3: Estudio Gastronomico
Image #4: Diego Cagnato
Image #5: Diego Cagnato - Patents
- n/a
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