Topogato
We know what it’s like to run a small business; we started one ourselves a few years back with the incredible pastry chef Simon Brown.
Topogato is an artisanal chocolate shop in San Francisco. We crafted everything from the brand strategy and name, to the complete brand identity system, e-commerce website, packaging and more.
Deliverables
Brand Strategy, Naming, Brand Identity, Web Design, Packaging Design, Photography, Illustration
Features
Forbes, New York Magazine, SF Chronicle, Eater SF
Client
Topogato
Inspiration
The confections chef Simon Brown creates are stunning, and can be intimidating due to their elegance and beauty. We decided a counter-balance was appropriate.
Warmth, curiosity and quirk became guiding themes that we explored.
Building the brand system
Warmth, curiosity and quirk; in everything from the company name, through to playful typography and illustration, balance and complement the creativity and beauty of the treats on offer.
Since this is a product-first brand, a strong photography approach was created to highlight products and ingredients beautifully.
To contrast the elegant product and photography, a loose and playful approach to illustration was developed.
Lastly, typography that flexes from elegant to playful allows for a broad range of expression, and a restrained color palette was created that allows the products to shine.
DIY approach
Most of Topogato’s direct competitors have nice packaging and a boring product. We decided to invert that, putting the spotlight on the product instead, and finding cost-effective ways for fun DIY packaging.
E-Commerce
We created an e-commerce website that allows for shopping and shipping nationwide. This dramatically increased sales, and has only grown since we’ve conducted rounds of usability studies and design updates.
Mobile shopping
The website was optimized for mobile-first use, and allowed for seamless browsing of products both high-level, and nitty gritty, allowing people to dig into each treat’s ingredients and flavor profiles with ease before purchasing.
Impact
90%
Increase in online conversion rate
2x
Increase in returning customer rate
+28%
Average order value