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.

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.

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.

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.