Berries, Brooms, and a Bit of Magic
A cozy tribute to family ties and Studio Ghibli magic.
Concept Story
A holiday treat inspired by sweetness, family, and a little everyday magic.
For HBO’s holiday campaign, I created a dessert concept inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service — a Studio Ghibli classic filled with warmth, wonder, and quiet adventure.
My design drew from a personal muse: my spirited young niece, who shares Kiki’s bright energy, creativity, and sense of adventure (and even has a black cat of her own!). Blending my niece’s joyful spirit with Kiki’s iconic red bow and Jiji’s curious gaze, this pie became a sweet tribute to finding a little magic in familiar places.
Design Story
This edible creation weaves together personal inspiration and cinematic magic.
The design centers on a cute, cartoonish portrait inspired by my niece, blending her distinctive features — gray-blue eyes and a tumble of curls — with Kiki’s iconic red bow to anchor the connection. Jiji peeks curiously from the edge of the scene, while a curved cookie broom and pair of crows frame the remaining crust, adding movement and story to every slice.
Every detail was hand-cut, hand-molded, and painted, decorated using a combination of marshmallow fondant, royal icing, and edible paints. Special care was taken to create depth and texture, encouraging viewers to linger — to notice the tiny details: the shape of a curl, the curve of a bow, the soft gleam in eyes full of wonder — and maybe even catch a glimpse of themselves in this moment of edible magic.
Flavor Story
Rich, sweet, and just a little bit mysterious, this pie captures the spirit of Kiki’s world in every bite.
The base is a deep chocolate cookie crust — a nod to Kiki’s witchy roots — filled with a thick, gooey blackberry compote. The two-toned filling swirls like a bewitching spell, the purple pattern seeming almost stirred by an invisible hand. A scattering of tiny star-shaped sprinkles adds a final touch of magic to the filling, as if reflecting the night sky.
To highlight her sweetness, the main figure was shaped from strawberry cookie dough, while the broom, crows, and Jiji were made from rich chocolate cookie dough to ground the scene in cozy flavors.
Reflections & Takeaways
This project was a happy reminder of how authentic personal stories and beloved fictional worlds can collide in the sweetest ways.
By blending a cherished family bond with the timeless wonder of Studio Ghibli, I was able to create a dessert that felt both nostalgic and new — rooted in tradition, but with its own whimsical spin.
Above all, this pie was a celebration of imagination: the magic that happens when familiar flavors, cherished characters, and personal memories come together to form a world you can almost step into... and, in this case, actually dive into (with a fork!).
