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ABOUT PROJECT
This project involved designing a comprehensive visual identity for Placerville Sauna, a newly opened wellness space in Placerville, California. This included creating a logo, selecting an appropriate color scheme, and choosing a font to reflect the sauna's unique blend of traditional Nordic practices and modern amenities. The sauna is hand-crafted and inspired by these practices, bringing a timeless approach to relaxation and wellness to the local community.
At the heart of Placerville Sauna is an 18-person sauna built from locally sourced cedar, including wood from a remarkable 220-year-old Cedar tree.
Placerville Sauna offers a range of experiences, including guided sauna sessions, open sit hours, and private events. Guests can also enjoy amenities such as a cold plunge, showers, lockers, and a comfortable lounge area. A standout feature is the inclusion of Aufguss—a German ritual that combines steam, essential oils, and music to create a revitalizing experience.
Located in Placerville's scenic Gold Country along Mother Lode Drive, Placerville Sauna was created to make the benefits of traditional sauna and cold immersion therapy accessible to everyone.
CHALLENGES and SOLUTIONS
In a competitive wellness market, one of the main challenges was creating a logo for Placerville Sauna that truly stood out while capturing the essence of the brand. It was important that the design resonated with the target audience and worked well across various applications, such as signage, merchandise, and digital platforms. Finding the right balance between visual appeal and practical usability involved a lot of brainstorming and exploring different concepts. Through multiple iterations, I aimed to ensure that the final design effectively communicated the unique identity of Placerville Sauna while remaining versatile, engaging, and resonating with the target audience.
MY ROLE
Solo project. Graphic Designer.
TIMELINE
1 Month.
Solutions
DESIGN PROCESS
Given the diverse target audience, a minimalist design approach was deemed most appropriate. Minimalism in logo design offers several advantages:
Versatility: A simple design works well across various platforms and sizes, from small mobile icons to large signage.
Timelessness: Minimalist logos tend to remain relevant and stylish for longer periods.
Clarity: A straightforward design communicates the brand's essence without unnecessary clutter.
The centerpiece of the logo is a dual-representation: a cedar tree that simultaneously depicts rising steam. This "two-in-one" design was chosen for several reasons:
Local connection: The cedar tree represents the sauna's surroundings and construction material.
Symbolism: Cedar trees embody resilience and purity, while steam signifies the core sauna experience.
Visual metaphor: The tree-shaped steam elegantly communicates the natural, rejuvenating essence of the sauna.
Uniqueness: This dual imagery sets Placerville Sauna apart from competitors with a memorable visual element.
The font selected for the logo is Poppy, chosen for its:
Readability: Poppy's clean lines ensure the text remains legible across various applications.
Modern aesthetic: The font's contemporary look appeals to the wide age range of the target audience.
Versatility: Poppy complements the minimalist design approach while maintaining a professional appearance.
By combining these elements - a minimalist design, the dual cedar tree-steam imagery, and the Poppy font - the logo effectively captures the essence of Placerville Sauna. It communicates a sense of natural relaxation, energizing, health-consciousness, and timeless appeal, all while remaining versatile enough to resonate with the diverse target audience. The innovative "two-in-one" design adds a layer of sophistication and intrigue, inviting viewers to engage more deeply with the brand.
Solutions
COLOR SCHEME
The chosen color scheme for the Placerville Sauna logo—black, white, and green—was carefully selected to reflect the brand's identity and values while creating a calming and inviting atmosphere.
1. Black - conveys sophistication and elegance, serving as a strong foundation for the logo. It represents strength and stability, qualities that resonate with the sauna's commitment to providing a reliable and high-quality experience. Additionally, black adds a modern touch, ensuring that the design remains timeless and versatile across various applications.
2. White - symbolizes purity, cleanliness, and tranquility. It evokes a sense of peace and simplicity, aligning perfectly with the sauna's focus on relaxation and rejuvenation. The use of white in the logo enhances readability and creates a striking contrast against the black elements, ensuring that the design remains clear and impactful.
3. Green - reflects nature, growth, and harmony. It reflects the sauna's connection to its natural surroundings, particularly the cedar trees that envelop it. This color not only embodies the calming effects of nature but also promotes feelings of renewal and vitality—key experiences that patrons seek when visiting the sauna. By incorporating green into the color palette, we emphasize the brand's commitment to health and well-being.
Together, these colors create a cohesive visual identity that resonates with the target audience's desire for relaxation and rejuvenation. The combination of black, white, and green not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the logo but also reinforces the core values of Placerville Sauna: sophistication, purity, and a deep connection to nature. This thoughtful color scheme invites customers into an experience that is both refreshing and restorative.
