A new logo

This is the era of branding. Branding is basically creating an image of how we want something (or someone) to APPEAR, with the hopes of inspiring some action or other (usually sales). Personally, I find the concept rather abhorrent, for it leads to a society more concerned by image than actuality, but the concept has SOME merit, since it obviously works. Let’s focus on some of the positive aspects of the idea.

Having a clear idea of how we want something to appear is the first step to creating a reality for that something. It is essentially setting a goal. With the proper tools and effort, ANY goal can become what we imagine, or WANT, it to be. Success often depends on how clear our vision of our goal is, for with clarity our sense of purpose and our drive to reach our goal are reinforced.

One major tool of branding is a logo. A logo is essentially an emblematic representation of the core aspects of whatever it is one is branding. It is symbolic, but hopefully memorable, thus creating a trigger for recognition. Even though this site is far from a business, its purpose is better defined by some form of branding, in this case a logo.

I have a log for all of my web projects, each indicating both the intent of the project and the aspects of myself that go into it … in some cases the aspects of myself that I intend to grow. The logo for this site is one such. I just changed the existing logo, and felt that explaining the design might be of use, both to myself and any others who find interest in my journey here. First the logo (the old version and the new) …

These images represent both the core philosophy behind my search for wellness, and the path I am taking to achieve said wellness. Throughout this project I have indicated that I believe in a holistic view of health. True growth requires we work on ALL aspects of ourselves … the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual. All of these aspects interact with each other, and wellness is finding the proper balance between these facets.

The pyramid shape represents the ideal proportionality. A strong base is necessary to keep stability, but it is also the easiest to reach … this is the physical. To reach the peak of wellness yet maintain this stability, we need to put energy into the middle … the emotional … but not too much or too little, for it risks the whole structure collapsing. Finally we find completion with a well focused point … our spiritual self … the hardest to reach. The height of this point is potentially limitless, but when constrained to the rest of the structure it is kept grounded while completing the pyramid.

The images within the pyramid each are also emblematic representations. Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man represents the great potential of the human animal. For me, it specifically calls to our physicality and our passion. The Yin Yang symbol is a well-known representation of the search for spiritual balance. Thus they reinforce the whole symbolism of the pyramid.

The process involved with creating this logo is itself a direct representation of my whole wellness journey. It started with a concept; an image of what I wanted. My first attempt fell shy of the goal. It was not a bad effort, but it was limited by the tools and skills available to me at the time of creation. Since then I have continued along my journey … improving my abilities as well as learning new ones. The tools available to me have also changed in the process. The new image is much closer to what I first envisioned, made possible by my continuing along my path. Who knows how the image may change in the future?

For me this logo well represents both my view of life and the path I am following as I live it. It also shows that everything is multi-faceted. The branding that I say I find so distasteful has positive benefits if used well.  The image we choose to portray CAN become the reality if we work at making it so. The key is to believe in that image ourselves, and not just using it as a means to an end. If we all removed the hypocrisy from our lives, and actually become what we SEEM, or WANT, to be  … how would our lives change? Would the very character of the world change as well?