The psychedelics industry, though not fully established due to legality issues, is witnessing a surge of brands preparing for a potentially competitive landscape. At the core of any movement lies the mastery of communication and narrative construction. Branding surpasses mere logos; it embodies the visible tip of the iceberg or, metaphorically, the fruiting body of fungi. This keynote gives a high level overview of the prevailing trends within the psychedelic world, offering insights, a case study and some notes on branding's fundamental essence.

1. PSYCHEDELIC SPACE
BRANDING AND THE
THE PROJECT EXISTS TO SHINE A LIGHT ON WHAT DESIGN CAN
DO FOR PSYCHEDELICS AND WHAT PSYCHEDELICS CAN DO
FOR DESIGN
www.Psychedelics.Design
COMMON VISUAL THEMES
INSIGHTS INTO THE PSYCHEDELIC BRAND WORLD
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05
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INSIGHTS INTO BRANDING
A PSYCHEDELIC STARTUP CASE STUDY
VISUAL TRENDS IN THE PSYCHEDELICL SPACE

2. At the vanguard of every movement
lies the art of communication and
narrative crafting.

3. INSIGHTS INTO
BRANDING

4. Icon and Wordmark
symbols for a brand to be recognized
Visual Representation
elements for brand recognition
Reputation
perceptions, beliefs, and
experiences
Visual & Graphic Elements
symbols, icons, wordmark, down to
photography style, illustrations etc.
Brand Design System
roles that ensure brand consistency
Brand Strategy
plan based on research, data, etc for
the development of a brand
LOGO
BRAND EXPERIENCE
BRAND IDENTITY
Brand

5. The Brand Identity Prism, conceived by marketing
strategy professor Jean-Noel Kapferer in 1986,
offers a visual framework to illustrate how a brand
manifests through distinct facets. Kapferer
identified six essential characteristics of brand
identity, arranging them within a prism to
demonstrate their interconnectedness and
collective impact.
Beyond mere visual elements like logos, a brand
possesses distinct attributes that define its
essence. Kapferer asserts that brands achieving
seamless alignment and expression of these
attributes are poised to cultivate a robust and
unmistakable brand identity. The prism serves as
a tool for brands to acknowledge these facets of
their identity and integrate them cohesively to
convey the brand's narrative.
Brand Prism
Original: Figma Community, @melvinlim

6. Future Psychedelic Brand Examples
Original: Figma Community, @melvinlim

7. Try it out Original: Figma Community, @melvinlim

8. Context matters
Visuals without brand context can indeed be
interpreted as belonging to any brand. This is
because visual elements such as colors, shapes,
and imagery are not inherently tied to a specific
brand unless they are accompanied by brand-
specific context, such as logos, slogans, or other
identifiable brand elements.
Without this context, viewers may perceive
visuals in various ways depending on their
personal experiences, cultural background, and
individual interpretations. As a result, it's essential
for brands to ensure that their visual identity is
consistently and clearly communicated across all
touchpoints to avoid ambiguity and maintain brand
recognition.

13. INSIGHTS INTO THE
PSYCHEDELIC BRAND WORLD

14. CIRCLES BRAINS & HEADS GEOMETRY MUSHROOMS
Common logo themes

15. Example:
Media Brand Logos
Graphic designers compare the colors of competitors
when creating a logo for several reasons. Firstly,
understanding the color landscape within a particular
industry helps designers ensure that the client's logo
stands out from competitors while still fitting in with
industry norms. By analyzing competitor logos,
designers can identify color trends, uncover common
color associations within the industry, and
strategically differentiate their client's brand through
unique color choices.
Additionally, considering competitor colors allows
designers to avoid unintentional similarities that could
lead to confusion or dilution of the client's brand
identity. Ultimately, by incorporating insights from
competitor color analysis, graphic designers can craft
logos that effectively communicate the client's brand
values, personality, and positioning within the market.
Original: Alexandra Plesner

16. Media Brand
Landing Pages
Original: Alexandra Plesner

17. VISUAL TRENDS IN THE
PSYCHEDELICL SPACE

18. Psychedelic Spotlight Psychedelic Assembly Psilocybin San Francisco
AI visuals Designers’ Note: AI is novel, fun, fast, and cost-effective; plus it is currently regarded
as a service rather than an entity with copyright protection for its creation.

19. Mycology Psychology Mindbloom Supermush
Expressive illustrations Designers’ Note: A counter trend to AI, injecting life and personality
into visual storytelling that at least looks human-created.

20. Triip Numinus reMind
Nature realistic Designers’ Note: A notion to the fact that psychedelics help us
reconnect with ourselves and nature.

21. Mindbloom Beckley Retreats Psychedelics Today
Blurry sunrays Designers’ Note: Sunrays serve as a subtle nod to the occasionally breathtaking colors
experienced during psychedelic journeys, while also honoring the beauty of nature.

22. Mojo Kinn Mindbloom
California gradients Designers’ Note: Gradients abound, evoking the carefree, sun-
kissed ambience of California beach life on blissful days.

23. Tripp Wavepaths Psychedelika Club
Mystical gradients Designers’ Note: The color purple is generally associated with
royalty and luxury but also with peace, mystery, and magic.

24. Nao Fungi Foundation and National Geographic Discovery Sessions
Hyperreal collages Designers’ Note: A trend inspired by Björk’s record “Fossora” in 2022,
about “the circle of life as it relates to the mysterious properties of fungi”.

25. Sero Psychedelics.com Alice
Modern retro Designers’ Note: The reduced retro 70s vibes distill the essence of the era into
sleek, minimalist designs; a modern take on nostalgic aesthetics.

26. COMMON VISUAL
THEMES

27. Common themes of a future psychedelic brand world
NATURE MINIMALISM
LUXURY
APOTHECARY STYLE
HYPERREAL HIGH END
EARTH BOUND RETRO PLAY

28. Common themes of the cannabis brand world
NATURE MINIMALISM
LUXURY
APOTHECARY STYLE
HYPERREAL HIGH END
EARTH BOUND RETRO PLAY

29. A PSYCHEDELIC
STARTUP CASE STUDY

30. Micro view into Psilocybin San Francisco

31. Icon development Psilocybin San Francisco
May 2022 July 2022
An older mushroom sharing
knowledge with a younger one.
Inspired by the exploration of psychedelic
mushrooms, taboo in many societies, we thought to
pay tribute to their profound impact on human
consciousness. A 13th-century fresco at
Plaincourault Abbey depicts Adam and Eve with a
Tree of Knowledge resembling the Amanita
muscaria mushroom. Terence McKenna suggested
these substances influenced human brain
evolution, while John M. Allegro controversially
proposed the mushroom as the forbidden fruit.
The bite. Adding 2 dots as a reference to
the 2 founders and integrating
ideas of “expansion and growth”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_fruit#/
media/File:Plaincourault_fresco,_Garden_of_Ed
en.jpg

32. Original: Figma Community, @melvinlim

33. May 2022 July 2022 November 2023
Conference visuals Psilocybin San Francisco
April 2024

34. Vido credit: Lapse Film

36. THANK YOU
THE PROJECT EXISTS TO SHINE A LIGHT ON WHAT DESIGN CAN
DO FOR PSYCHEDELICS AND WHAT PSYCHEDELICS CAN DO
FOR DESIGN
www.Psychedelics.Design
alex@psychedelics.design
@psychedelicsdesign