Kotoko's Kohi Jelly

Kotoko first brewed her signature coffee in the Irie family kitchen, captivating her husband Naoki with its rich flavor. What began as small servings from home quickly grew into a beloved Tokyo café, now with multiple locations. Designed by Naoki himself, these canned coffees share Kotoko’s unforgettable “kohi” with the world.

The objective of this Typography 1 assignment was to comprehend the hierarchy and personality of typefaces. I delved into packaging design and the intricate details of typography, encompassing branding, UPC, nutrition facts, and flavors.

I chose to design for a Japanese coffee brand called Kotoko's Kohi Jelly. The inspiration for the design comes from the Japanese anime and jdrama [original title] Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo (Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo) that aired from 2013 to 2015.

During this class, I was rewatching a Jdrama that's one of my favorites. I remembered how much Irie Naoki, the main male character, adored Aihara Kotoko's coffee from episode 3. Naoki was Kotoko's first love, and he eventually fell in love with her. Their relationship was complicated until Naoki realized he might lose Kotoko forever and decided to marry her. Interestingly, Kotoko can't cook at all; the only thing she's mastered is making coffee, and Naoki won't allow anyone else except her to make it.