From NYC to the World: DD.NYC® takes Silver at Pentawards

Our winning project, The Antidote Project, began as a packaging brief and grew into a complete brand universe. At its core, Antidote is an aromatic candle brand — but the vision extended far beyond the product. Our team set out to craft a design system that merged storytelling, strategy, and visual identity into one seamless experience.

The concept is built around a paradox: that poison, when transformed, can also heal. This duality is embodied in the project’s central motif, the venomous snake a timeless symbol of both danger and remedy. Drawing inspiration from alchemy and mysticism, the design invites consumers into a world where beauty and meaning converge.

From the earliest sketches to the final launch, every decision was intentional. The packaging system features sleek lines and tactile finishes, designed to both captivate and differentiate Antidote from competitors in the premium candle market. The visual identity walks a fine line between elegance and edge, creating a sense of intrigue that aligns with the brand legend.

The result is packaging that feels both timeless and daring. A box that carries more than a candle, but a story. With Antidote, every element of form, texture, detail, and symbolism was carefully crafted to transform simple packaging into an unforgettable object of intrigue and design excellence.

Since its founding in 2007, Pentawards has set the global benchmark for excellence in packaging design. In just 19 years, the competition has received more than 36,000 entries from 95+ countries, with winners shaping the future of packaging worldwide. To be awarded Silver at the Pentawards 2024 is a profound honor — one that underscores the caliber of design emerging from DD.NYC® and from New York City’s creative community.

This achievement adds to DD.NYC®’s growing roster of global recognitions, including honors from the Webby Awards, Anthem Awards, and Inc. 5000. Each award reflects our belief that great design is not only about aesthetics, but also about impact — the ability to shift perception, create connection, and drive cultural relevance.

For our clients, this recognition is more than a trophy. It is a promise that when you collaborate with DD.NYC®, you’re partnering with an agency capable of competing — and winning — on the world stage. Whether it’s packaging, brand identity, or digital experiences, our approach is rooted in design excellence, strategic clarity, and cultural awareness.

The Antidote Project demonstrates what happens when these elements align. A simple product becomes a story. A package becomes an object of desire. A brand becomes a legend. That is the kind of transformation we strive to deliver for every partner who trusts us with their vision.

As we celebrate this Silver win at the Pentawards 2024, we’re also looking ahead. Our team continues to explore the future of design.

Awards like this remind us why we do what we do: to create brands that are not only visually unforgettable, but also strategically sound and culturally relevant. From New York to the world, DD.NYC® will continue pushing boundaries, crafting design systems that inspire, and building brands that last.