This post showcases a series of hand-drawn, original illustrations developed for Lindt Chocolates, commissioned by German agency Rock Brasiliano and created under the art direction of Stephan Eisenblätter. These designs highlight my work as a character designer, packaging illustrator, and visual storyteller, merging festive charm with technical precision suitable for FMCG packaging.
Executed entirely in Adobe Illustrator as scalable vector art, the illustrations were developed for potential use across wrappers, fold-out sleeves, in-store displays, and promotional materials. Each concept is a standalone design but also part of a larger branded narrative — showing how seasonal storytelling and product packaging can work hand-in-hand.
Packaging concept with a clear middle window revealing chocolate inside. Combines traditional festive charm with modern shelf appeal. Designed by Ian David Marsden for Lindt.
This project sits at the intersection of branding, editorial illustration, and product-focused character design. It also reflects my background in creative direction and packaging, with deep roots in the German and Swiss markets.
Project Credits:
Client: Lindt Chocolates
Agency: Rock Brasiliano (Germany)
Art Director: Stephan Eisenblätter
Illustrator: Ian David Marsden
Tools: Adobe Illustrator / Vector Artwork
Year: 2015
These designs combine illustrative detail with commercial functionality — created with production considerations in mind, from dielines to potential glow-print layers. Each element is hand-rendered with care, a reflection of my commitment to original, human-made artwork.
Lindt Chocolate Packaging, Illustration & Character Concepts by Ian David Marsden
Reclining Lindt Santa – Relaxed Chocolate Figure Design
A jolly, reclining Santa holding a teddy bear in this playful chocolate figure concept. Created in full vector style by Ian David Marsden for Lindt, evoking comfort and joy.
Two-Part Lindt Santa – Hidden Surprise Illustration
Playful two-part Santa figure opens to reveal chocolate treats inside. Created as a vector concept by Ian David Marsden under art direction of Stephan Eisenblätter for Lindt Chocolates.
2D Santa Display – Lindt Countertop Presentation
Standing 2D Santa display illustration featuring open trays filled with mini chocolates. Designed for Lindt shop counters and promotional merchandising. Artwork by Ian David Marsden.
Relaxed Santa on Plate – Lindt Concept Illustration
A humorous, laid-back Santa concept lounging on a holiday plate beside festive chocolates and a teddy bear. Part of Ian David Marsden’s Christmas range for Lindt.
Concept artwork for Lindt featuring a set of cheerful winter-themed chocolate wrapper characters. Includes a child reaching for a star, red balloon, bundled-up girl and boy, teddy bear with a Lindt ribbon, and a pull wagon. Illustrated in clean vector lines for festive seasonal packaging.
Character Wrapper Concepts – Winter Set
Alternate snow-covered versions of the Lindt character chocolate wrappers, adding seasonal texture and frosty detail. Featuring a Christmas tree, gift box, snowflake, sleigh, Santa, and reindeer – all illustrated in a whimsical, winterized style.
Character Wrapper Concepts – Snow-Covered Winter Set
Alternate snow-covered versions of the Lindt character chocolate wrappers, adding seasonal texture and frosty detail. Featuring a Christmas tree, gift box, snowflake, sleigh, Santa, and reindeer – all illustrated in a whimsical, winterized style.
Gold Bunny Concept – Facing Pair Illustration
Exploratory concept art for Lindt’s iconic Gold Bunny, featuring a facing pair in a spring meadow. Hand-drawn by Ian David Marsden under art direction by Rock Brasiliano for Lindt Chocolates.
Goldhase with Spring Meadow – Floral Bunny Base Concept
Concept for Lindt showing the Gold Bunny seated on a flower-covered green field, forming a playful packaging cutout. Designed for visual delight and strong Easter theming by Ian David Marsden.
Lindt Goldhase – Hinged Bunny Concept with Chocolate Surprise
Concept design for a two-part Lindt Gold Bunny that opens to reveal colorful foil-wrapped eggs. Created by Ian David Marsden in vector format under art direction from Rock Brasiliano. Designed for seasonal product innovation and playful unboxing.
Matching Easter egg-shaped illustrations featuring the iconic Lindt Goldhase. These symmetrical packaging motifs emphasize festive simplicity and brand recognition, developed for Lindt by Ian David Marsden.
Lindt Santa Packaging with Transparent Window
Packaging concept with a clear middle window revealing chocolate inside. Combines traditional festive charm with modern shelf appeal. Designed by Ian David Marsden for Lindt.
Lindt Santa Chocolate – Front and Chocolate Interior View
Concept packaging showing both the illustrated front and the chocolate figure inside. Designed by Ian David Marsden, capturing tradition and consistency across inner and outer presentation.
Lindt Christmas Box – Character Illustrations & Winter Scene
Festive box concept featuring snowy hills and a night sky with glowing sleigh stars, designed by Ian David Marsden. Vector illustration for Lindt Chocolates under direction of Rock Brasiliano. Captures nostalgic holiday magic and playful storytelling.
Lindt Holiday Box with Constellation Santa Sleigh – Angled View
Alternate perspective showing the Lindt holiday gift box with constellation Santa sleigh. Illustrator Ian David Marsden evokes warmth and wonder with playful winter characters in a magical night sky.
Classic Lindt Santa – Vector Packaging Illustration
Front-view concept of Lindt’s Santa Claus chocolate packaging in rich red with golden gift elements.
Lindt Santa Chocolate Figures – Multi-Tone Versions
A series of Santa chocolate figures in various chocolate tones: full color wrapper, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate variants. Concept by Ian David Marsden.
Color and Tone Exploration – Lindt Santa Figure
Alternate version showing tone variance for Santa figures: from fully illustrated to dark and white chocolate designs. Created for concept visual testing by Ian David Marsden.
Gift Box with Repeating Santa Panels – Lindt Concept
3D mockup of a festive gift box featuring multiple views of illustrated Lindt Santas. Ideal for retail display and gift markets. Concept by Ian David Marsden.
Starry Sky Scene with Characters – Lindt Winter Fun Concept
Winter scene box front featuring characters in cute, playful style—girl reaching for star, teddy in a wagon, snowy trees, and a glowing starry sleigh in the background. Created for Lindt Chocolates by Ian David Marsden.
Starry Sky Illustration – Santa Sleigh Constellation
Stylized snowy landscape featuring a night sky where stars form Santa in his sleigh with reindeer. A soft, festive illustration used for packaging backdrops or seasonal storytelling.
Imaginative merchandising concept featuring Lindt Gold Bunnies riding a Ferris wheel. Part of an Easter-themed fairground illustration series created for Lindt by Ian David Marsden.
Goldhase-Inspired Gift Wrap – Bunny-Shaped Fabric Packaging
Playful gift wrapping concept for Lindt featuring fabric tied to resemble bunny ears. The design transforms chocolate packaging into a tactile, reusable keepsake.
A festive sleigh in three states: illustrated, chocolate molded, and glowing in the dark. Designed to visualize how the sleigh concept would appear across product forms.
Glow-Print Santa Packaging – Lindt Christmas Tree Set
Holiday packaging concept featuring Lindt Santa figures around a decorated tree. Glow-in-the-dark elements enhance nighttime display appeal. Illustration by Ian David Marsden for Rock Brasiliano.
