NC Chocolatier

NC Chocolatier is Chicago’s luxury kosher chocolate store and growing corporate gift provider. The project refocuses the brand towards chocolate and the companies history of bespoke chocolate confections.


  • Role: Head of Brand & Marketing

    Since 1983, Illinois Nut & Candy has been a Chicago destination for candies, nuts, and classic confectionery. Under new ownership in 2022, the business began to shift from a traditional candy shop into a luxury gifting brand and in-house chocolatier, responding to a changing market and the evolving needs of its community.

    I was brought on as brand designer to help align the company’s identity with this new direction. The rebrand from Illinois Nut & Candy to NC Chocolatier centered on the part of the business that would define its future: its handmade chocolate confections.

    The identity was built around a rich, confectionery-inspired palette of dark chocolate, caramel, cream, and warm neutrals. A simple wordmark gave the brand a sense of restraint and continuity, while a custom monogram pattern introduced a more elevated visual language across packaging, print, and branded materials.

    As the brand continued to grow, my role expanded beyond identity design into packaging, campaign development, and creative direction. I oversaw the development of NC Chocolatier’s packaging system, seasonal marketing campaigns, influencer program, and photo direction, helping shape the brand across every major customer touchpoint.

Logo for NC Chocolatier established in 1983, with light green background and brown text.

For this rebrand I was responsible for creating all new brand marks, graphics, palette, and packaging system. The pattern is a cohesive motif customer touch point, while icons ensure brand clarity and impact, reinforcing product value across all channels.

A box of 12 colorful, speckled chocolate truffles with various marbled and splattered patterns on a brown surface.
A box of 12 colorful, speckled chocolate truffles with various marbled and splattered patterns on a brown surface.
A chocolate truffle covered in chopped nuts next to a brown box labeled NC Chocolatier, established in 1983.
A round metal tray with a box labeled 'NC Chocolatier', a bottle of Koval bourbon whiskey, and a chocolate dessert topped with an orange peel slice, all set against a brown background.

The new identity utilizes an industrial grey at the heart of NC Chocolatier’s painted chocolates product line, while specialty confections sit in packages enrobed in a rich, signature chocolate brown and complimentary confection color.

After the initial rebrand, I supported brand implementation across marketing channels, project management for package production, and creative direction for marketing campaigns and collaborations.

Billboard advertisement for NC Chocolatier with a chocolate caramel apple and the message "These are not the apples from the fall fair."
A honeycomb treat coated with crushed nuts on a cupcake wrapper in front of a dark background with a sign for NC Chocolatier and honeycomb candy.
A honeycomb treat coated with crushed nuts on a cupcake wrapper in front of a dark background with a sign for NC Chocolatier and honeycomb candy.
A chocolate-covered caramel apple with a slice of orange on top, served on a paper wrapper, with a shot glass of alcohol and sliced orange in the background.
Colorful chocolates with a marbled and splattered design, partially visible below a box of NC Chocolatier chocolates.
A box of colorful hand-painted chocolates arranged in a grid, with a white box labeled 'NC Chocolatier' placed on top of the chocolates.

Projects & Campaigns

Packaging, Marketing, Identity

Box of colorful, speckled chocolates from NC Chocolatier, established 1983, on a brown surface.

Packaging and campaign material for hand painted bon bons.

Chocolate eclairs topped with candied orange slices in a decorative box.

Packaging and campaign material for premium confections line.

Chocolate truffle coated in chopped nuts with a box labeled 'NC Chocolatier EST 1983' in the background.

Packaging and campaign material for over-the-top caramel apples.

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