CLIENT
Aquolina (Selectiva Spa)
YEAR
2025
PROJECT
Gourmland
CORE
X-mas Collection 25/26
EXPERTISE
Creative Direction / Character Design (3D Look Dev) / Generative AI Integration / Naming & Brand Strategy / Packaging Design / Graphic Assets Production / World Building
CHALLENGE
To evolve a classic Christmas seasonal staple into a contemporary communication asset. For Aquolina’s 2025 Xmas collection, the challenge wasn't just an aesthetic restyling, but the creation of a narrative and visual architecture capable of supporting an entire product portfolio. The starting point: moving beyond the static concept of "gift packaging" to create an immersive experience where the packaging serves as the gateway to a fantastic world.
THE SOLUTION: AN EXPANDABLE VISUAL UNIVERSE
We responded to the demand for innovation by designing a complete visual ecosystem: GourmandLand. A project that blends strategic naming, three-dimensional character design, and rigorous graphic management to ensure consistency across every product scale.
1. Strategic Naming: Mapping the Taste
The process began with the definition of a strong semantic identity. "Gourmland" is more than a name; it’s a statement of intent that combines Aquolina’s olfactory expertise (the gourmand world) with a playful, geographical dimension. Each reference was mapped as a district within this world: from Berry Land and Unicorn Island to Vanilla Hills. This approach allowed us to give a "place" and a story to every fragrance, transforming the catalog into a true map of taste.
2. Look Dev & Character Design: The 3D Cartoon-Style Evolution
The heart of the project lies in character development. We moved away from traditional 2D aesthetics to embrace a cinema-inspired 3D Look Dev. Anthropomorphic strawberries, cotton candy creatures, and fantastic beings were modeled with obsessive care for volume and texture: "touchable" softness, glossy reflections, and warm lighting. This treatment gave the subjects a vibrant personality and an instant "legacy" feel.
3. Generative AI as a Tailored Production Engine
Given the complexity of the GourmandLand universe, the integration of Generative AI was essential, yet never automated. Each individual reference is not the output of a single prompt, but the result of a meticulous convergence: we selected, edited, and merged multiple images specifically generated for each scenario. This "digital tailoring" process involved over 400 iterations to isolate the best details, correct lighting, and harmonize subjects. This ensured that the final composition was a unique, hand-refined, and cohesive piece of art, moving far beyond any standardized algorithmic output.
4. World Building & Graphic Assets
Every graphic element—from dreamlike environments to individual decorative glyphs—was designed to be modular. We developed a system of high-resolution visual assets ready to be deployed with millimeter precision. While we did not handle the final layout of social media content, we provided the entire visual "genetic makeup" (isolated elements, backgrounds, characters in various poses), ensuring that the soul of GourmandLand remained intact throughout all digital and retail applications.
5. Packaging Engineering: Clarity in Complexity
Managing a collection so rich in detail required rigorous layout control. We calibrated the relationship between characters and white space, ensuring that the logo and technical information maintained absolute legibility. The result is packaging that communicates abundance and celebration, but with the discipline of high-end design.
Instagram contents, courtesy of @Aquolina_real
