Croatian Mint’s “Cross”

Client

Croatian Monetary Institute

Creative Team

Izvorka Jurić (creative and art direction, packaging design, illustration / graphic art)

Marko Koržinek (coin design)

Igor Poturić (copywriting)

Jurica Kos (illustration / graphic art, photography)

Valentina Šuljić (reproduction of graphic art, copper etching)

Natalija Najjar (production manager)

The task was to design a product line of commemorative gift medals for the Croatian Mint, intended for occasions marking important events in our lives. The project also involved designing individual product lines, overall communication, and packaging for different gift medals, adding value and making them attractive to a wider audience beyond traditional collectors.

This particular product was designed as a gift for Christian occasions such as baptism, First Communion, and other important religious milestones. The solution is a Cross medal with a contemporary form and design. The front of the medal features a contemporary interpretation of the fundamental Christian symbol – the cross – set within a landscape imbued with a sense of spirituality, together with the message of St Francis of Assisi: “For it is in giving that we receive.” The back of the medal is intended for personalisation. The design combines contrasting glossy and matte surfaces with subtle engraved textures that create a sense of depth within the pure geometric form.

The packaging combines a gift box and a display package in a single solution. It consists of a rigid box with visible silver or gold details, depending on whether it contains a silver or gold medal.

The Regular Edition combines offset printing and hot foil stamping, while the Special Limited Edition consists of 40 boxes featuring a reproduction of a copperplate etching on the lid, individually signed by the printmaking artist and finished with silver foil stamping. In this way, the packaging itself becomes an exhibit of special value rather than merely a wrapper for the gift medal inside.

The project also included the design of the medal itself, intended to be produced in gold and silver versions.

The front of the medal features a contemporary interpretation of the fundamental Christian symbol – the cross – while the back is intended for personalisation. The design combines contrasting glossy and matte surfaces with subtle engraved textures that create a sense of depth within the pure geometric form.

The packaging development process was focused on adding further value to the product. An original illustration was transferred to the box lid and, for the limited edition, reproduced as a signed work of art.

The Special Limited Edition includes 40 individually signed lids featuring a reproduction of a copperplate etching by a printmaking artist, finished with silver foil stamping.

With this Special Limited Edition reproduction, each box becomes a unique work of art. In this way, the packaging itself becomes an exhibit of special value rather than merely a wrapper for the gift medal inside.