The E. Wedel Chocolate Factory is a place where tradition meets modernity, and every element of the space is carefully designed to evoke sweet associations. From the moment they enter, visitors are immersed in a unique world where even the signage alludes to the iconic Wedel brand sweets. Thanks to the thoughtful design and collaboration with the acclaimed Homework studio, navigating the facility becomes not only easy but also fun, resembling a journey through a box full of a variety of pralines.
The Chocolate Factory’s signage has been designed to resemble the layout of a box of chocolates. Throughout the museum, from the ticket offices to the roof terrace, visitors are guided by a variety of elements that allude to pralines both in terms of colour and design, inspired by Wedel’s iconic sweets. The clearly visible wood texture evokes associations with dark chocolate, while the colourful tiles look like iced desserts.
The museum’s most important functions are represented by unique icons that facilitate orientation in the space, making navigating the facility an enjoyable experience, like playing with building blocks. These icons were created in collaboration with Homework studio, which is responsible for the overall visual identity of the Chocolate Factory and refers to the designs they designed. The signage covers the entrance area, café, ticket office and shop, cloakroom, toilets, workshop area and vertical communication around the building, excluding the exhibition, which was not part of the development.
Studio Blisko, founded by Anna Nowokuńska-Maksymiuk, specialises in wayfinding, or signage for spaces. For several years it has been creating visual information systems for public, commercial, office and residential projects, combining graphic and architectural design competences. The studio has a common language with architects and developers, so it is well acquainted with the specifics of the architectural industry and the stages of the design process. Together, they create clear and unique solutions, always relating to the character of the architecture, the main idea of the project and the function.
In June 2022, the studio was awarded the Grand Prize in the Wayfinding | Exhibition category at the Polish Graphic Design Awards. In 2024 it won a bronze medal at the European Design Awards in the Signage & Wayfinding category, and in April 2024 two gold medals at the Indigo Design Awards in the Wayfinding category.
Chocolate Factory museum signage design and photography: Anna Nowokuńska-Maksymiuk | Studio Blisko | www.studioblisko.pl
Principal: Lotte Wedel
Year of design and implementation: 2024
Photography: Studio Close
Production and installation of signage: Mark the Office
Chocolate Factory Visual Identity Design: Homework
Architecture: BiM Architects
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