Cocoa Frog

The challenge was transforming the discovery of a real, tangible frog into a symbolic representation for a creative business. The cocoa frog embodies both familiarity (cocoa is globally recognised) and mystery (a rare, undiscovered frog). This duality needed to be expressed visually – striking the balance between approachable and unexpected.

Design inspiration started by studying the unique features of the actual frog species, such as its colors, textures, and environment. The earthy tones of cocoa beans, deep greens, and rainforest elements had to subtly fuse with design principles that feel cutting-edge and modern, much like the agency’s communication style.

The founders’ vision for the brand was to evoke creativity that breaks norms – essentially doing what the cocoa frog did by existing in a space where no one thought to look. To reflect this, the logo and overall branding had to break away from typical corporate clichés.

The juxtaposition of the cocoa frog’s natural habitat and the world of modern communication played a key role in the visual strategy. The brand’s colour palette took inspiration from the frog’s tropical rainforest surroundings—earthy browns, deep greens, vibrant oranges – infused with sleek, modern design elements. Geometric shapes mimicking cocoa beans and frog skin textures were also incorporated into marketing materials, from digital to print, reflecting the natural meeting the contemporary.

As the creative designer tasked with bringing Cocoa Frog‘s brand to life, my role was to act as a bridge between the founder’s vision and the visual language that would capture the spirit of the agency. I needed to translate not only the tangible aspects of the cocoa frog—its exotic roots and unique identity—but also the abstract concepts of innovation, surprise, and creativity that defined the agency’s approach.