New Logo

After being super indecisive about a logo.. I designed this new one :)

The meaning is still the same, Zentai is Japanese for the word Whole. The colours that I have incorporated into the new logo are the neutral grey tones, but the purple and pink because of a theory used in the design of my space on Colour Therapy.

The grey or silver colour represents female energy, rebirth and emotional stability, among other important aspects. The purple is said to heal melancholy, hysteria and bring spiritual insights and renewal. The pink is to represent a more feminine aspect because the retreat is for woman, pink is also said to bring you in to contact with your feelings as well as healing grief and sadness.

Choosing the Name..

Choosing the name for a business or a service is one of the biggest defining parts in the design process. The name needs to relate to the functions of the space and in a way reflects what the ideals of the company is. 

As a wellness retreat, I looked at a name that reflects something I want to find myself, as well as the clients want to feel that will use my retreat, the feeling of being WHOLE or COMPLETE within yourself as a human being. To find INNER PEACE as such.

I always have been drawn to Japanese Design and their ways of life, they seem to have a peacefulness in everything they do. I then started looking at Japanese words for complete and whole and came up with the word Zentai, which is Japanese for Whole. Then coming up with a new way of defining my wellness retreat, as a Wholeness Retreat because that more accurately describes what I am aiming to achieve with this retreat.

Take a look at the logo that I designed.. Let me know what you think of it :)

The overall design of my new space I want to include an element of Japanese design, but take it in a whole new light. For example, just spit-balling here, the Japanese have a tea ceremony, which is a relaxing practice that involves the making and brewing of the tea. To bring this into my design, the group therapy that can be held can be based on this ceremony and have all the clients in the group share making and brewing the tea as a therapy to bring people closer. Would you do that as a therapy?

Defining the Identity..

Defining exactly what the identity of that space is and selecting specific functions enable the design to be focused and it makes it way easier to design a space when you have exactly what the concept and the identity of the business or service is.

Starting off, personally I want to create a 'wellness retreat' to help people in some way not to just create a wellness centre that provides a pampering service.

I have always been intruiged by mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, manic depressive disorder, anorexia and bulimia, amongst others, so I thought it was fitting that I design a wellness center to help people who have to live with these sorts of illnesses. 

To narrow it down I chose to just target woman, ranging mostly from 14-60 years of age, I think because it hits home for me personally to want to try and help woman with these illnesses. 

This is fitting because in and around Port Elizabeth there are no 'wellness retreats' that are just for woman - this already gives me a certain design direction that I can stick to.

The therapies that I want to include in the design are going to mainly be 'natural' therapies, such as animal and art assisted therapies, touch therapy (Ayurvedic Massage) and exercise based therapies such as meditation, yoga and kick boxing. Group therapy sessions will also be held at the space for people who aren't there but wish to use it as a support system.

A nutritionist as well as a psychiatrist will be on site and they will have to be on call. 

A mind map to show the thought process behind the decisions made.