The Darya Express, Dubai

Mirzam Chocolates in Dubai envisioned a visual narrative for the packagaing of their debut advent chocolate calendar in 2024. The goal being to complement their flavors and craftsmanship through the passion for storytelling.

The concept centered around The Darya Express, an imaginative sea voyage across the Spice Route aboard a traditional Middle Eastern dhow, visiting Tamil Nadu, India; Damascus, Syria; Dubai, UAE; Socotora Island, Yemen; and Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. This voyage was designed to celebrate the cultural, historical, and gastronomic source of ingredients from these regions while intertwining it with the haunting legend of Bū Daryā—a mythical, half-human, half-amphibian sea creature from Arabic folklore.

Tasked with bringing this vision to life, I created a series of detailed, hand-drawn illustrations in the style of a graphic novel that encapsulates the spirit of the journey. Each illustration draws the viewer across the vivid landscapes, rich traditions, and mythical elements that define the narrative.

Included within the packaging is a hand-drawn map, illustrating the sea routes leading to various destinations.