Introduction to logo design for healing arts businesses

Welcome to the world of branding and logo design for holistic health professionals. In this blog, you’ll learn how to craft a logo that not only looks stunning, but also conveys the essence of your therapeutic practice, from physical therapy to natural healing and more.

My first logo design

Crafting a new logo? Time to get creative. And maybe a little scientific.

Allow me to kick this off with a personal story. This happened long before I was even thinking about branding for holistic practitioners.

“I don’t know why, but it feels off,” I said. This was the brilliant and detailed brief I once gave a creative director and designer working for me as I pointed to our company logo on my computer. I had inherited it from another CMO and while I didn’t yet have the skills to deeply understand the intricacies of what made a good logo, I did know this one… wasn’t

They nodded and asked for some time to think about it.

A few days later, they came back with an analysis of our current logo. They were ready to articulate a few things they believed were wrong with it. For example, certain aspects of the design weren’t well proportioned - some were bigger than they should have been, causing the shape to look slightly imbalanced. Also, if you drew vectors from different angles around the logo, they didn’t center, and that made the eye know something was wrong despite it being very subtle. Finally, the color was kind of poop-y. That part wasn’t as subtle.

“Oh, yes of course, that must be why I don’t like it,” I responded, knowing she knew full they both new I’d have never caught most of those things on my own.

They smiled, and went back to the drawing board, and came back to me a few days later with a edited version of the original we had that fixed most of its problems, along with 3 other, fresher, concepts. What pros.

The point is: logos can be really hard to get right, even for a CMO with lots of experience in marketing generally. And, they’re super rewarding when you nail them.

The great news is, these days, it’s easier than ever to design logos yourself, which both opens you up to a world of possibilities, and pitfalls. So let’s talk today about logos. I’ll share some of what I’ve learned with the hope that it helps you along your journey.

Understanding your holistic practice's audience and branding needs

Why do logos matter so much in holistic health?

They're often the first point of contact between you and someone seeking healing. Your logo needs to communicate trust, care, and a deep understanding of your client's journey. It can be thought of as the most boiled-down reflection of your practice's ethos. Think about the emotions you want to evoke - tranquility, balance, rejuvenation - and let these guide your design process.

Also, think about all the ways you will use it. It will go on your website, across social media (check out our blog, “Social media mastery for holistic health professionals,” if you haven’t yet!), email marketing, all print materials, and more. So, getting it to a place where you’re satisfied with it matters.

Key elements of logo design for holistic health professionals

Let’s break down the nuts and bolts of design.

The power of shape theory in holistic health logo creation

Shape theory plays a pivotal role in logo design, especially for holistic health practices. The shapes you choose can profoundly influence how potential clients perceive your brand. Here's a brief overview (and a handy infographic if you’d like to save it for later).

Here’s an infographic you can save that summarizes shape theory in logo design for holistic health businesses.

Circles in logo design: Circles are often associated with wholeness, continuity, and eternity. In the context of holistic health, a circular logo can symbolize the holistic approach to health and wellness, suggesting a sense of completeness and ongoing care.
Squares and rectangles in logo design: These shapes are synonymous with stability, trustworthiness, and balance. For a holistic health business, incorporating squares or rectangles into your logo can convey a sense of reliability and groundedness, reassuring clients of your dependable and balanced approach to health and wellness.
Triangles in logo design: Triangles are dynamic shapes associated with movement, direction, and strength. In a holistic health context, an upward-facing triangle can represent growth, progress, and the aspiration to achieve better health. Conversely, a downward-facing triangle might symbolize stability and grounding, essential concepts in many healing practices.
Diamonds in logo design: Diamonds, being a more complex shape, can signify sophistication, clarity, and value. In holistic health branding, a diamond shape could represent the precious nature of health and wellness, and the clarity of purpose in your practice. The multifaceted nature of diamonds also mirrors the multifaceted approach many holistic practices take in addressing health and wellness.

Understanding and utilizing shape theory in your logo design can help convey the core values of your holistic health practice to your audience effectively, establishing a strong and positive first impression.

Unveiling hidden meanings: symbolism in holistic logos

Ever noticed how the FedEx logo has an arrow hidden between the 'E' and 'x'? It indicates forward movement, and it’s won awards.

That's the kind of subtle messaging that can make a logo memorable. This is possibly the most well-known example, but there are a lot out there. Canva has a great article on this.

Now consider your practice. Are there any hidden symbols that could represent healing and growth in your design? If so, think about whether/how you’d like to incorporate into your logo!

Color psychology in holistic health branding

Colors have the power to evoke emotions. Blues and greens often evoke calm and healing, while yellows can signify energy and vitality. Choose colors that align with the feelings you want to invoke in your clients. If you want to learn more about our take on color palettes for your business, check out our blog, “Colors that connect: how to choose the right palette for your practice’s website and branding,” for more.

Typography essentials for healing arts logos

Essential typography tips for holistic health logos:

Selecting the ideal font: Choose a font that mirrors the spirit of your holistic practice. Consider serifs for a classic, trust-invoking appearance or sans-serifs for a clean, modern vibe.
Importance of font weight and style: The weight of your font (light, regular, bold) influences the overall feel of your logo. Lighter fonts often appear soft and soothing, while bold fonts exude strength and confidence.
Prioritizing readability: Your logo's font must be easily legible in various sizes and formats. Clear readability ensures your brand name is easily recognizable at first glance.
Harmonizing font with design: Ensure your typography complements other logo elements, such as color and shape, for a cohesive and harmonious brand image.
Exploring custom typography: For a unique touch, consider custom fonts that are tailored to your brand's identity, keeping in mind cultural sensitivities and relevance.

By focusing on these typography essentials, you'll enhance the effectiveness of your holistic health logo, making it not only visually appealing but also a true reflection of your brand's identity and values.

DIY and professional logo design tools for holistic practitioners

DIY logo design tools

With tools like Canva or Adobe Express, creating a professional-looking logo doesn't require a degree in graphic design. These platforms are user-friendly and offer a plethora of templates to get you started.

Here are some screenshots from Canva to show just how easy creating your own logo can be using their templates.

Canva logo creation process from a template:

Step 1: Search

First, tell it you’re interested in building a logo.

Step 2: Filter and choose

Click “all filters” so you can narrow your search down based on your desired brand requirements and hit “apply”

Step 3: Customize

Choose a template you like by clicking on it, and asking to customize. From there, you can insert your own font, colors, etc.

When to seek professional help

If the above process sounds like more trouble than it’s worth, it might be time to work with a professional designer who can bring a level of sophistication and uniqueness to your brand identity. Sometimes it’s hard to know when to and when to not spend money on marketing, so we wrote a blog about that: “Should I pay for that? Make better marketing decisions with our 3-step framework.”

Feedback and testing

Before finalizing your logo, get feedback. Show it to colleagues, friends, or even a focus group of potential clients. Their first impressions can provide invaluable insights. Hubspot wrote a great piece on how to run a focus group if you want some inspiration.

Legal considerations

Protecting your brand is crucial. Ensure your logo isn't infringing on existing trademarks and consider trademarking your design to safeguard your brand identity.

Conclusion: crafting a memorable holistic health logo

If you’re choosing a new logo to help brand your holistic health practice, you have a great opportunity to visually communicate your brand's core values and ethos. Over my time as a head of marketing, I've learned that the best logos are those that hint at the story of your brand and your values, and connect with your audience on an emotional level. Enjoy the process, and happy designing!

Design a logo that will make your holistic practice shine!