Inspired by Service

Every concept has an origin. Garder-is began with my service in the Royal Danish Guard, where the iconic sentry box inspired the very first idea. What started as an ice cream concept later evolved into today's collectible wine gift box series.

The Original Vision

The idea began with a simple question:

Could an ice cream become more than an ice cream?
Inspired by my service in the Royal Danish Guard, I imagined an ice cream shaped like a guardsman. What started as a sketch evolved into the Garder-is concept  combining heritage, storytelling and memorable experiences.
Today, the same philosophy continues through both the ice cream concept and the collectible wine gift box series.

From Idea to Reality

Every concept starts somewhere.

What began as a simple LEGO model became the first step in visualising the concept.

Inspired by the iconic Danish sentry box of the Royal Danish Guard, the goal was to create a mobile sales bicycle that would instantly attract attention and become part of the customer experience.

The concept evolved through several stages, from scale models and full size prototypes to the finished bicycle. Each step helped refine the design, dimensions and functionality.

The result was a unique sales bicycle shaped as a Danish sentry box, transforming an idea inspired by the Royal Danish Guard into a recognisable and memorable concept.

The small Garder-is created following the visit

I visited the Tivoli Youth Guard together with the Danish Guards Network in April 2018. The visit inspired me to create a small Garder-is ice cream based on the Tivoli Youth Guard's distinctive uniform.

Creating Experiences

Garder-is was never just about selling ice cream.

From public celebrations to guard related events, the concept was designed to create conversations, curiosity and memorable encounters.

The distinctive guardsman inspired design attracted attention, while the story behind the concept gave people something to connect with.

Over time, these experiences helped shape Garder-is into a recognised and well received concept within its community.

Expanding the Guard Universe

From the beginning, Garder-is was about more than ice cream.

The concept explored how elements of the Royal Danish Guard could be transformed into playful experiences.

Uniform-inspired details appeared on slush ice cups and takeaway packaging, while small chocolate swords added another layer of storytelling. The sales bicycle also became part of the concept through Baby Bear, a bearskin seat inspired by the Royal Danish Guard's iconic bearskin cap.

A visit to saddlemaker Brian K. Rützou, supplier of bearskin caps to the Royal Danish Guard, further strengthened the connection between the concept and its heritage inspiration.

Together, these details helped create a recognisable universe where design, storytelling and customer experience worked hand in hand.

From Ice Cream to Collectible Gifting

The same design philosophy has now evolved into a premium collectible wine gift box series inspired by iconic national landmarks and traditions.

The first international concept draws inspiration from the traditional British sentry box, transforming an ordinary wine bottle into a distinctive gift designed to be displayed, remembered and kept.

A physical prototype has been developed, and the design is registered in the United Kingdom. The concept is being presented for opportunities within premium retail, tourism, corporate gifting and heritage destinations.

Made to Be Remembered

Garder-is is built on a simple belief: a gift becomes more valuable when it carries a recognisable story.

More than packaging, each design is created as a collectible object that connects product, place and memory.

The Future of Garder-is