VAVA DESIGNER CAKE
Picture book print production
​​
Design Brief
I designed VaVa Adventure, a picture book promoting VaVa Designer Cake’s new fruit egg tart line and launching the brand’s IP. The story follows VaVa, born in a garden, creating magical egg tarts with their grandmother. I created whimsical illustrations and playful layouts that blend storytelling with product promotion.​
Mock up book
Cover Design
For the cover, I used soft pastel orange and purple to create a warm, whimsical atmosphere. The main character, VaVa, walks through the garden with her cat, Tart Tart, enjoying the breeze, capturing the playful and magical spirit of the story.
Character Design
Drawing from my background in animation and 2D visual arts, I designed the main characters, VaVa and her cat, Tart Tart. I studied reference materials, including cat poses and character design principles, to shape their personalities. Using pastel colors, I gave the characters a soft, whimsical look that aligns with the story’s playful tone.
Interior Layout
Due to a tight two-week timeline, I streamlined the illustration process to meet the client’s launch deadline. The main goal was not only to tell a story but also to establish VaVa Designer Cake’s IP and promote the new fruit egg tart line. To maximize efficiency and brand clarity, the client and I agreed to simplify the layout: each page would feature one flower, one dessert, and one character.
This minimal composition allowed the desserts and characters to stand out as the focal points while keeping production manageable. The clean, spacious design also made the book adaptable for future brand extensions, such as packaging, social media, or merchandising.
Cover Design
Although this project remained unfinished, it was a valuable experience that gave me hands-on exposure to the publishing process. It sparked my interest in print production and publishing design, which I had little prior knowledge of, and helped me discover how much I enjoy blending storytelling with design. I now see this project as the starting point of my journey in book and publishing design, and it strengthened my motivation to pursue this direction in my career.
Product Design
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of VaVa Designer Cake, the brand wanted to introduce their very first IP design featuring Tart Tart. In its earliest version, Tart Tart was conceptualized as a white cat symbolizing the angel from the brand’s logo.
The client requested a magnet as a free giveaway for customers purchasing six or more cupcakes. The brief specified two key elements: A visual of VaVa’s signature strawberry cake and a reference to Toronto, the brand’s home city.
To merge these elements, I designed the CN Tower as a fork, cleverly tying the landmark to the dessert theme. The cake itself becomes a playful storefront, with Tart Tart as the friendly shopkeeper inviting customers into the world of VaVa.
Outcome
The magnet giveaway successfully introduced Tart Tart as VaVa Designer Cake’s first brand IP, creating a playful and memorable collectible for customers. By merging Toronto’s identity with the brand’s signature dessert, the design not only celebrated the 5th anniversary but also strengthened VaVa’s local connection. This project challenged me to think beyond aesthetics and design with marketing impact, brand storytelling, and cultural context in mind, deepening my interest in product-driven publishing and IP development.