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One of the world's most prestigious design awards, Red Dot Award, this year it went to the visual identity and packaging of Lošinj Krokant Crocantess, a product that interprets one of the most recognizable gastronomic traditions of the island of Lošinj in a modern way.
This is the second major international recognition for Crocantessa, after the award Best Innovation on Tradition, won in Dubai in 2024.
Red Dot – one of the world's most prestigious design awards
The Red Dot Award is considered one of the most important international quality marks in the field of design. The competition, which has been around for more than seven decades, brings together projects from all over the world, and the winners are decided by an international jury made up of experts from the fields of design, science, media and industry.
Due to its reputation and global standing, Red Dot is often referred to as "Oscar for Design".
A combination of tradition and modern design
The visual identity and premium packaging of Crocantesse was designed by a Rijeka agency FABULA, which successfully combines aesthetic value with functionality. The packaging not only protects the delicate structure of the croquette, but also conveys the story of Lošinj's history, maritime tradition and cultural heritage through its design.
This year, the FABULA agency entered the Red Dot competition for the first time with three projects and won awards for all three.
Pastry shop owner Moby Dick and the author of the project Petar Goles points out that from the very beginning, the goal was to create a product that would preserve the island's tradition, but also be recognizable to modern guests.
"From the beginning, we wanted to save this valuable island tradition from oblivion and bring it closer to the local population, but also to tourists who come to Croatia in search of authentic experiences. That is why we entrusted the project to experts and selected the best collaborators. International recognitions, such as the Red Dot award, confirm that we made the right decision", said Goleš.
Multiple award-winning island product
In just a few years, Crocantessa has collected a number of domestic and international awards. It is the holder of the label Losinj Local Product i Croatian island product, was declared the best new souvenir at the PUT 2023 Fair, and also carries the label Guinness Record Holder.
Namely, in 2025, the Lošinj krokant entered the Guinness Book of Records after, on the occasion of celebrating 140 years of organized tourism on Lošinj, a spectacular krokant was made, 273 centimeters high and composed of 14 floors.
A tradition that is more than a century long
Lošinj's krokant is one of the most recognizable island desserts, with its roots dating back to the 19th century, a period of flourishing Lošinj shipbuilding and maritime industry.
This luxurious sugar and almond dessert was once a symbol of prosperity and an indispensable part of the festivities of wealthy captains and shipowners. The art of making the airy caramel structure has been passed down through generations, and today it is protected as an intangible cultural asset of the Republic of Croatia.
Inspiration for the visual identity was also found in a famous sculpture "Goodbye!", which symbolizes the wives of Lošinj sailors and is an important part of the island's identity.
Handcrafting and heritage preservation
Crocantessa is still produced by hand today, using the traditional method in a pastry shop. Moby Dick in Mali Lošinj.
In addition to production, special attention is paid to preserving tradition. In collaboration with the Lošinj Museum, croquette-making workshops are organized for students of catering schools and all interested parties in order to preserve the skill of making it for future generations.
The latest Red Dot Award further confirms how the combination of top design, authentic gastronomy and rich cultural heritage can successfully position a local product on the international scene and contribute to the promotion of Lošinj and Croatia as a destination for unique experiences.
Photo: Tourist Board of Lošinj
