Brief

In Melbourne's bustling Glenferrie Rd. Hawthorn, COCOLO stands out as a pioneer in health-conscious desserts and drinks. Opened in November 2023, it offers an innovative, guilt-free menu, specialising in coconut-based, vegan delights. Minded by Brandworks handled the brand’s end-to-end design, from its tropical-themed graphics, interiors to its social marketing. Key features include Melbourne's first Coconut & Acai DIY soft serve bar and the standout coconut panna cotta, catering to a clientele that values both health-forward wellness and indulgence.

Approach

COCOLO embarked on a mission to revolutionise the dessert and drink landscape with a distinct vision of transforming customer experiences. Their approach was to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a tropical paradise, a departure from the standard look of DIY dessert venues.

The brand identity and interior design work together to invite customers to be 100% themselves; unapologetic, feeling chilled out, sun-kissed and relaxed , enhancing the appeal of their health-conscious menu offerings. With a focus on sustainability, COCOLO introduces its signature soft serve and panna cotta in natural coconut shells, complemented by modernised bottles for their ice-blended drinks, facilitating convenience for on-the-go enjoyment. This innovation not only changes the way desserts are perceived but also promotes an eco-friendly approach to indulgence.

For the interior, our vision was to craft a sensory paradise, evoking the essence of being in paradise. Conceptually our creative team wanted to recreate what you see, hear, smell, touch and feel when you're on a tropical holiday and places often associated with enjoying coconut. 

Outcome

The everyday alternative to delicious pleasures, guilt-free

COCOLO's unique concept and commitment to dessert and sugary drink alternatives quickly garnered significant public attention and acclaim. The establishment saw a profound impact on the community, as evidenced by their impressive social media presence with 10.4K followers on Instagram and a staggering 867K views on Broadsheet video reels to date. Additionally, COCOLO has maintained an exceptional 4.7-star average on Google reviews, highlighting its widespread acceptance and customer satisfaction. These achievements reflect not only the brand's popularity but also underscore its role in redefining the dessert and drink landscape in Melbourne and beyond

The interior design combines buff beige render and sandy hues with vibrant mint mosaic and transparent cobalt. This striking palette was drawn not only from Cocolo's branding, but also hues and details associated with poolside relaxation and tropical bliss. Taking the concept further as you head into the store the seating area in the back has been designed to replicate the tranquil feeling of underwater exploration. Opting for a high gloss epoxy floor, the whole space has been set up to provide a backdrop for our water ripple rejection to bring home the concept and immersive experience.

Testimonial

"Working with the design team to bring COCOLO to life has been an extraordinary journey. Their out-of-the-box thinking, innovation, and exceptional design skills have been crucial in making COCOLO stand out. It's their unique approach that has allowed us to translate our vision into a tangible experience, setting us apart in the industry,"

- Eleena Tan, co-founder of COCOLO Australia.