MCDONALD’S X SANRIO: PACKAGING
Packaging Concept
by Adrianna De la Rosa
American Advertising Awards SF Bay Area 2025 - Silver ADDY Winner
McDonald's Happy Meals have long been a beloved staple for children and collectors alike, but in an era where brand collaborations drive engagement, there is a growing need for fresh, limited-edition experiences that resonate with both younger audiences and nostalgic consumers. While McDonald’s has successfully collaborated with various brands in the past, there is an opportunity to introduce a partnership that seamlessly blends iconic childhood nostalgia with the excitement of collectible toys.
Can we do any more?
PROBLEM
By collaborating with Sanrio, McDonald’s can introduce a limited-edition Happy Meal that appeals to both children and nostalgic collectors. The proposed design integrates Sanrio’s signature pastel aesthetics with McDonald’s classic branding, offering an exclusive experience that enhances the traditional Happy Meal. The inclusion of a mystery Sanrio character keychain adds an element of surprise and collectibility, encouraging repeat purchases and engagement. This collaboration aligns with both brands' values of joy, family bonding, and playful nostalgia while creating a visually distinctive, memorable dining experience.
Enhancing the Happy
Meal experience!
Moodboard
Brand Collaboration Plan
Research
SOLUTION
Sanrio: A Japanese entertainment company known for its endearing characters that inspire love, friendship, and positivity.
McDonald’s: One of the world’s most recognized fast-food chains, celebrated for its affordability, convenience, and family-friendly dining experiences.
About
Sanrio: Through heartwarming tales, Hello Kitty and her friends foster values of friendship, kindness, generosity, and family bonding.
McDonald’s: The Happy Meal embodies affordability, fun, and engagement, creating memorable moments for children and families by combining delicious meals with playful, collectible toys.
By bringing together the nostalgic appeal of Sanrio with the cherished tradition of McDonald’s Happy Meals, this collaboration aims to deliver smiles, spark joy, and strengthen family connections.
Values
Sanrio Character Rankings 2024
2024 United States
2024 Overall Ranking
This collaboration will enhance the McDonald's Happy Meal experience by prioritizing showcasing the characters that are the most popular in the United States and globally in the Happy Meal!
Happy Meal Concept
Hello Kitty and Friends
A subset of the Sanrio universe that focuses on Hello Kitty and a specific group of characters often marketed alongside her.
Hello Kitty and Friends Super Cute Adventures: Hello Kitty and Friends: Super Cute Adventures is a short animated web series featuring Hello Kitty and her friends embarking on heartwarming and whimsical adventures filled with lessons about friendship, kindness, and fun. The episodes are bright, cheerful, and designed to delight both children and nostalgic fans with Sanrio’s signature charm.
Season 2
Season 1
The Happy Meal box is designed to be the most eye-catching element of this concept. I chose to preserve McDonald’s iconic red Happy Meal box, as its vibrant color immediately captures attention. This ties in perfectly with Hello Kitty’s signature red bow, which is a defining feature in many of her designs.
To balance this bold red, I incorporated Sanrio’s soft pastel palette on the other sides of the box, highlighting the charm of other beloved Sanrio characters. This blend creates a harmonious design that celebrates both brands’ identities while bringing a playful and visually engaging experience to customers.
Drink Concept
Cinnamoroll has been one of the most beloved Sanrio characters, securing first place in the Sanrio Character Rankings for five consecutive years. His cheerful and charming personality makes him a perfect addition to the Happy Meal collaboration. With his soft blue and cool-toned color palette, I thought he would be a great fit for the drink design, bringing a refreshing touch to the concept.
Fries Concept
Kuromi is a beloved character known for her complex personality and stubborn yet endearing exterior. For the fries packaging, I aimed to create a simple design that complements both the food item and the minimalistic style of the Happy Meal packaging.
Nuggets
Pochacco is an incredibly lovable character, and I wanted to ensure he was included in the meal concept. Though he is sometimes overlooked within the Hello Kitty and Friends branch, he remains a fan favorite, cherished both in the USA and around the world.
About Project
This proposal envisions a collaboration between McDonald’s and Sanrio to create a special edition of the Happy Meal featuring Hello Kitty and her friends. The design integrates Sanrio’s soft pastel palette while maintaining McDonald’s iconic vibrant red, symbolically tied to Hello Kitty’s signature bow.
Proposal
By collaborating with Sanrio, McDonald’s can introduce a limited-edition Happy Meal that appeals to both children and nostalgic collectors. The proposed design integrates Sanrio’s signature pastel aesthetics with McDonald’s classic branding, offering an exclusive experience that enhances the traditional Happy Meal. The inclusion of a mystery Sanrio character keychain adds an element of surprise and collectibility, encouraging repeat purchases and engagement. This collaboration aligns with both brands' values of joy, family bonding, and playful nostalgia while creating a visually distinctive, memorable dining experience.
Name
McDonalds x Sanrio Happy Meal
My Role
Designer
Timeline
November 2024 - December 2024
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Dimension, Adobe Photoshop, Figma, Canva
Working on this packaging project provided valuable insights into the intersection of branding, design, and consumer engagement. I learned how to create cohesive packaging that balances two distinct brand identities—Sanrio’s soft, playful aesthetics and McDonald’s bold, recognizable branding. Additionally, this was my first experience designing product packaging, which allowed me to explore the technical aspects of dielines, material considerations, and brand consistency. I also gained hands-on experience with 3D modeling in Adobe Dimension, learning how to create, texture, and render realistic product mockups to enhance presentation and visualization.
Can we do any more?
KEY LEARNINGS
This project significantly strengthened my design skills, particularly in packaging design, brand collaboration strategies, and 3D modeling. I developed a deeper understanding of how visual storytelling can enhance consumer experience and drive brand engagement. Additionally, I improved my ability to work within strict design constraints while maintaining creativity. My proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Dimension, and Figma expanded, particularly in integrating 3D elements with 2D assets to create compelling mockups. This experience has not only expanded my technical skills but also reinforced my ability to think strategically about brand partnerships and consumer engagement.
Enhancing the Happy
Meal experience!
SKILLS & GROWTH
Reflection
McDonald's Happy Meals have long been a beloved staple for children and collectors alike, but in an era where brand collaborations drive engagement, there is a growing need for fresh, limited-edition experiences that resonate with both younger audiences and nostalgic consumers. While McDonald’s has successfully collaborated with various brands in the past, there is an opportunity to introduce a partnership that seamlessly blends iconic childhood nostalgia with the excitement of collectible toys.
Can we do any more?
PROBLEM
By collaborating with Sanrio, McDonald’s can introduce a limited-edition Happy Meal that appeals to both children and nostalgic collectors. The proposed design integrates Sanrio’s signature pastel aesthetics with McDonald’s classic branding, offering an exclusive experience that enhances the traditional Happy Meal. The inclusion of a mystery Sanrio character keychain adds an element of surprise and collectibility, encouraging repeat purchases and engagement. This collaboration aligns with both brands' values of joy, family bonding, and playful nostalgia while creating a visually distinctive, memorable dining experience.
Enhancing the Happy
Meal experience!
Moodboard
Brand Collaboration Plan
Research
SOLUTION
Sanrio: A Japanese entertainment company known for its endearing characters that inspire love, friendship, and positivity.
McDonald’s: One of the world’s most recognized fast-food chains, celebrated for its affordability, convenience, and family-friendly dining experiences.
About
Sanrio: Through heartwarming tales, Hello Kitty and her friends foster values of friendship, kindness, generosity, and family bonding.
McDonald’s: The Happy Meal embodies affordability, fun, and engagement, creating memorable moments for children and families by combining delicious meals with playful, collectible toys.
By bringing together the nostalgic appeal of Sanrio with the cherished tradition of McDonald’s Happy Meals, this collaboration aims to deliver smiles, spark joy, and strengthen family connections.
Values
Sanrio Character Rankings 2024
2024 United States
2024 Overall Ranking
This collaboration will enhance the McDonald's Happy Meal experience by prioritizing showcasing the characters that are the most popular in the United States and globally in the Happy Meal!
Happy Meal Concept
Hello Kitty and Friends
A subset of the Sanrio universe that focuses on Hello Kitty and a specific group of characters often marketed alongside her.
Hello Kitty and Friends Super Cute Adventures: Hello Kitty and Friends: Super Cute Adventures is a short animated web series featuring Hello Kitty and her friends embarking on heartwarming and whimsical adventures filled with lessons about friendship, kindness, and fun. The episodes are bright, cheerful, and designed to delight both children and nostalgic fans with Sanrio’s signature charm.
Season 2
Season 1
The Happy Meal box is designed to be the most eye-catching element of this concept. I chose to preserve McDonald’s iconic red Happy Meal box, as its vibrant color immediately captures attention. This ties in perfectly with Hello Kitty’s signature red bow, which is a defining feature in many of her designs.
To balance this bold red, I incorporated Sanrio’s soft pastel palette on the other sides of the box, highlighting the charm of other beloved Sanrio characters. This blend creates a harmonious design that celebrates both brands’ identities while bringing a playful and visually engaging experience to customers.
Drink Concept
Cinnamoroll has been one of the most beloved Sanrio characters, securing first place in the Sanrio Character Rankings for five consecutive years. His cheerful and charming personality makes him a perfect addition to the Happy Meal collaboration. With his soft blue and cool-toned color palette, I thought he would be a great fit for the drink design, bringing a refreshing touch to the concept.
Fries Concept
Kuromi is a beloved character known for her complex personality and stubborn yet endearing exterior. For the fries packaging, I aimed to create a simple design that complements both the food item and the minimalistic style of the Happy Meal packaging.
Nuggets
Pochacco is an incredibly lovable character, and I wanted to ensure he was included in the meal concept. Though he is sometimes overlooked within the Hello Kitty and Friends branch, he remains a fan favorite, cherished both in the USA and around the world.
About Project
This proposal envisions a collaboration between McDonald’s and Sanrio to create a special edition of the Happy Meal featuring Hello Kitty and her friends. The design integrates Sanrio’s soft pastel palette while maintaining McDonald’s iconic vibrant red, symbolically tied to Hello Kitty’s signature bow.
Proposal
By collaborating with Sanrio, McDonald’s can introduce a limited-edition Happy Meal that appeals to both children and nostalgic collectors. The proposed design integrates Sanrio’s signature pastel aesthetics with McDonald’s classic branding, offering an exclusive experience that enhances the traditional Happy Meal. The inclusion of a mystery Sanrio character keychain adds an element of surprise and collectibility, encouraging repeat purchases and engagement. This collaboration aligns with both brands' values of joy, family bonding, and playful nostalgia while creating a visually distinctive, memorable dining experience.
MCDONALD’S X SANRIO: PACKAGING
American Advertising Awards SF Bay Area 2025 - Silver ADDY Winner
Packaging Concept
by Adrianna De la Rosa
Name
McDonalds x Sanrio Happy Meal
My Role
Designer
Timeline
November 2024 - December 2024
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Dimension, Adobe Photoshop, Figma, Canva
Working on this packaging project provided valuable insights into the intersection of branding, design, and consumer engagement. I learned how to create cohesive packaging that balances two distinct brand identities—Sanrio’s soft, playful aesthetics and McDonald’s bold, recognizable branding. Additionally, this was my first experience designing product packaging, which allowed me to explore the technical aspects of dielines, material considerations, and brand consistency. I also gained hands-on experience with 3D modeling in Adobe Dimension, learning how to create, texture, and render realistic product mockups to enhance presentation and visualization.
Can we do any more?
KEY LEARNINGS
This project significantly strengthened my design skills, particularly in packaging design, brand collaboration strategies, and 3D modeling. I developed a deeper understanding of how visual storytelling can enhance consumer experience and drive brand engagement. Additionally, I improved my ability to work within strict design constraints while maintaining creativity. My proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Dimension, and Figma expanded, particularly in integrating 3D elements with 2D assets to create compelling mockups. This experience has not only expanded my technical skills but also reinforced my ability to think strategically about brand partnerships and consumer engagement.
Enhancing the Happy
Meal experience!
SKILLS & GROWTH
Reflection
