Hungarian graphic artist created Milka’s iconic purple cow

“Do not judge a book by its cover” – marketing specialists would be infuriated by such a statement. To effectively sell a product, you must have convincing packaging that conveys the message to the customer that they are getting their hands on something exceptional. The product itself must outshine its competitors, and the packaging should be so remarkable that it leaves a lasting impression on buyers. We can all agree that Milka’s iconic purple cow is both endearing and memorable. However, did you know that it was designed by a Hungarian graphic artist?

Milka’s history

According to Origo, the creation of this sweet delicacy dates back to the 19th century to a Swiss confectioner, Philip Suchard. Driven by ambition and a desire to uphold his family’s legacy, Suchard sought success in the States. After a failed stint, he returned to Europe, where he began creating chocolate bars. Many people with a sweet tooth remain grateful for his ingenious creation to this day. However, it’s important to note that chocolate bars of that era completely lacked dairy, and therefore, they carried a bittersweet cocoa flavour. Later on, the company decided to give Milka a distinctive purple packaging to distinguish itself in the market. Aimed to enhance its uniqueness, they even added a cow to the chocolate bar’s appearance, though originally in black and white.

The iconic Milka cow

About the artist

Sándor Szabó was born in Orosháza, Hungary, in 1934. Following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, he emigrated to England. As previously reported, Hungarians recently commemorated this revolution; you can find more information from the foreign ministry HERE. A commemorative march was also held on the anniversary of this significant event, detailed further in the link provided HERE. Szabó pursued studies in graphic design and subsequently joined the team at Young & Rubicam after his relocation to Düsseldorf. From this point, the rest, as they say, is history…