HEADQUARTERS

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the co-owner of Intrigue Chocolate Co - a chocolate making and chocolate confection company. We explore flavor through chocolate.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire HEADQUARTERS?

We needed packaging that reflected our story, our mission, and our approach to chocolate making - because that was the appeal of the end product. Headquarters has helped us solve complicated perishability issues: truffle gift boxes, chocolate bars, cocoa canisters, etc.

Of note, they created design guidelines that both make all the products we make fit visually together, while giving us some bumper rails when we aren't working with them on an active project.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to solve product protection, delicious presentation, and a focus on the flavors and storytelling. A sense of progressive discovery was important.

SOLUTION

How did you select HEADQUARTERS?

We selected Headquarters over a casual beer and discussion in 2011! Soon after we became their first project and we've stuck with Jason and Corianton since then.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we finally had a chance to meet in person, Jason and Corianton set to work asking questions: What do we want to accomplish? What does this mean to you? How are you customers responding? Once we've ironed out the high level details, they send us a contract to review.

Once signed, they set to work and come back to the table with their first directional ideas. From there, we fine tune over two more rounds of revision, and then send the project to the printer. Shout out to the Headquarters team for being on site during printing to ensure that the end result is intentional.

What was the team composition?

The whole team, for our project, was simply myself and the other owner of intrigue, Aaron, and Jason and Corianton from Headquarters. Our main contact for detail and revision is Jason.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Success for us is determined by how quickly the customer is able to understand what is inside the packaging, with minimal explanation from us in store. (

Before their design work, our products required a high degree of touch to explain because they were unique offerings.) Since there revised packages, not only have our sale increased online, through wholesale, and in-store, we also solved for most questions in-store. The bold shapes and colors draw people in, too.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We've always been able to pass the ball over the fence easily and quickly. We found a rythm sharing a Microsoft Teams channel (and Slack channel before), with the assistance of drop box for moving large files. This was very effective for us.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

How well they listen. If you want someone to understand your product before working on the designs meant to inspire a customer, then you want to work with Headquarters. The details are always on point.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They could pester us for our deliverables better. We are easily distracted by running a small business, so more touch points in the communication could help. They are usually faster than we are.