Create a distinctive and meaningful logomark for Deeper Tissues Massage Therapy that reflects the depth, intentionality, and therapeutic nature of the practice. The client, Registered Massage Therapist Josh Hunter, wanted a mark that moved beyond generic wellness iconography and drew clear inspiration from the Enso —a Zen Buddhist symbol representing enlightenment, strength, imperfection, and the universe.

The goal was to develop a visual identity that felt grounded, contemplative, and aligned with the physical and emotional experience of massage therapy.

Design Solution

Many massage therapy brands rely on predictable visual tropes—hands, spines, leaves, or abstract swooshes—that fail to communicate the nuance and depth of the therapeutic process. These symbols often flatten the experience into something purely cosmetic or spa-like, rather than reflective of skilled, intentional clinical care.

The challenge was to create a mark that conveyed both professionalism and depth, while honouring the client’s desire for a more detailed, symbolic logo.

The final logomark draws directly from the Ensō, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. While more detailed than my usual branding approach, the design intentionally embraces complexity to strengthen its conceptual connection to Zen philosophy.

At the centre of the mark is a solid circular form representing the individual receiving treatment—their body, lived experiences, and the tension they bring into the space. Radiating circular forms moving inward toward the centre symbolize the focused pressure applied through massage therapy. In contrast, the circular forms moving outward in the negative space represent the release of pain, stress, and tension as the body responds to treatment.

This balance of inward and outward motion reflects the reciprocal nature of massage therapy: pressure and release, effort and relief, presence and transformation. The result is a visually striking and deeply symbolic logomark that communicates both care and strength.