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Case Study: Purdy’s Chocolate Traveling Exhibit - The History of Chocolate



Studio Y Creations was delighted to partner with Purdy’s Chocolatier to create an immersive and educational traveling exhibit celebrating the rich history of chocolate and Purdy’s own storied legacy. This unique exhibit was designed to be both informative and visually engaging, with each display highlighting different aspects of chocolate’s history, from ancient Mayan culture to modern-day uses in fashion.


Chocolate Mobile Exhibit Project Details


Client: Purdy’s Chocolatier

Objective: To create a mobile exhibit showcasing the history of chocolate and Purdy’s anniversary, featuring interactive and educational displays.


Scope of Work:


Design and Conceptualization: Our design team worked closely with Purdy’s to conceptualize the overall theme and specific elements of each display. The goal was to create a cohesive narrative that would educate and entertain visitors.


An above view of a mobile exhibit featuring different displays with the history of chocolate.
Travelling Chocolate Display

Sculpting and Fabrication:


  • Cacao Pods and Plants: Foam was sculpted into large cacao pod and chocolate replicas, painted to reflect their natural appearance. These elements provided a tangible connection to the raw materials of chocolate.

  • Historical Artifacts: Reproductions of ancient Mayan artifacts and chocolate molds were created to illustrate the historical significance and evolution of chocolate making.

  • Fashion and Art: Unique displays showcasing chocolate’s role in fashion and art were crafted, highlighting its versatility and cultural impact.


In progress sculpted replicas of giant Easter Bunny chocolate molds.
Replica Oversized Chocolate Molds

In progress sculpted replicas of Purdy's hedgehog shaped chocolates.
Purdy's Famous Hedgehog Chocolates

An in progress sculpture of a mound of chocolate that says "CHOCOLATE ART".
Chocolate Art Display Topper

Multimedia Integration:

  • Television Displays: Each exhibit included TVs playing educational videos about chocolate’s history, production processes, and its cultural significance.

  • Interactive Panels: Educational panels provided detailed information and fun facts about chocolate, encouraging visitor engagement.


A selection of real chocolate molds incorporated into a historical chocolate display.
Real Chocolate Molds

Mobility and Installation:

  • Each display was designed to be mobile, allowing for easy transportation and reconfiguration within different spaces. The modular nature of the displays ensured flexibility and adaptability for various venues.

  • Installation was carried out efficiently to ensure that the exhibit could be set up quickly and securely in each location.


Key Exhibit Components:


  • The Ancient Cultures: This display focused on the Mayan and Aztec use of cacao, featuring detailed replicas of ancient artifacts and informative panels.

  • Theobroma Cacao: Large, realistic cacao pods provided an eye-catching focal point, with educational content about cacao cultivation and processing.

  • The Spanish Invasion: A replica ship with sails illustrated the introduction of chocolate to Europe by Spanish explorers.

  • Choc-ology: A giant chocolate bar book highlighted the scientific and culinary aspects of chocolate making, complete with tactile and visual elements.

  • Valentine’s Day and Love: This display explored chocolate’s association with romance and Valentine’s Day, featuring a giant heart chocolate box.

  • Chocolate in Fashion: Showcasing chocolate’s influence in fashion and art, this display included replicas of chocolate fashion pieces and famous artworks.

  • The Chocolate Boom:  This display features a detailed mold of a bunny and highlights the expansion of chocolate consumption. It includes historical chocolate molds and educational panels on the history of chocolate manufacturing and Purdy's own legacy.


A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring antique chocolate molds including a giant replica of an Easter Bunny mold.
Antique Chocolate Molding Display

A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a heart-shaped chocolate box and image of cupid.
Chocolate and Romance Facts
A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a giant replica sculpture of a cocoa bean and map of the world.
Cocoa Bean Information


A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a replica sculpture of a cocoa pod with written facts displayed inside.
Cocoa Bean Information

A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a pile of giant replica chocolates with TVs inside the sculpted chocolates.
Chocolate TV Display Stand


A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring sculpted chocolates and facts about chocolate manufacturing.
Chocolate Making Process

A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring an Aztec pyramid and ancient chocolate artifacts.
Ancient Origins of Chocolate

A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a book sculpted to look like a block of chocolate.
A Chocolate Book

A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a giant book with chocolate word definitions and facts.
Chocolate Definitions

A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a sculpted mound of chocolate and photos of chocolate used in art and fashion.
Chocolate Used in Art and Fashion

A historical exhibit display about chocolate, featuring a Spanish ship with historical facts written on the sails.
Spanish Conquistadors Bring Chocolate Back to Europe

Purdy's Chocolate Exhibit Visitor Impact


The Purdy’s Chocolate traveling exhibit was a hit among visitors of all ages. The engaging and interactive nature of the displays provided a fun and educational experience, making the history of chocolate accessible and exciting. Visitors enjoyed the combination of visual elements, multimedia content, and historical artifacts, which together created a rich and immersive experience.


Conclusion


This project highlights Studio Y Creations’ ability to blend education, art, and interactive design. By collaborating with Purdy’s Chocolatier, we successfully created a mobile exhibit that celebrates the fascinating history of chocolate and Purdy’s legacy. Our commitment to detail and innovation ensured that the exhibit was both informative and visually stunning, delighting visitors and enhancing their appreciation of chocolate.

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