Marga to Manda
Creating an Interactive Spiritual Space for the Modern Soul
Marga to Manda is a brand offering a modern spiritual experience space, designed for individuals seeking personal growth outside the boundaries of traditional religious affiliations.
TIMELINE
Jul - Dec 2022 (7 months)
Jul - Dec 2022 (7 months)
Jul - Dec 2022 (7 months)
ROLE
Identity, motion, web UI, print and AR design, concept writing and research
Identity, motion, web UI, print and AR design, concept writing and research
Identity, motion, web UI, print and AR design, concept writing and research
FOR
Seoul National University graduation exhibition show project
Seoul National University graduation exhibition show project
Seoul National University graduation exhibition show project
WITH
Web development: Dohyeon Park, Pyeongjae Park
Web development: Dohyeon Park, Pyeongjae Park
Web development: Dohyeon Park, Pyeongjae Park
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Marga to Manda was created as part of the Graduation Exhibition for the Design Department at Seoul National University. The project draws from my studies in art history, philosophy, and psychology, blending ancient traditions with modern design to address the emotional and spiritual needs of contemporary audiences.
Marga to Manda was created as part of the Graduation Exhibition for the Design Department at Seoul National University. The project draws from my studies in art history, philosophy, and psychology, blending ancient traditions with modern design to address the emotional and spiritual needs of contemporary audiences.
Marga to Manda was created as part of the Graduation Exhibition for the Design Department at Seoul National University. The project draws from my studies in art history, philosophy, and psychology, blending ancient traditions with modern design to address the emotional and spiritual needs of contemporary audiences.
Focusing on themes such as Buddhist art and Carl Jung’s mandala theory, the project aimed to create an inclusive space where individuals can explore self-discovery and balance. To communicate the concept effectively and engage visitors, I developed a cohesive brand identity that included AR posters, an interactive 3D website, and a brand kit. These elements worked together to provide an immersive experience, showcasing how the brand could foster inner peace and accessibility for a diverse audience.
Focusing on themes such as Buddhist art and Carl Jung’s mandala theory, the project aimed to create an inclusive space where individuals can explore self-discovery and balance. To communicate the concept effectively and engage visitors, I developed a cohesive brand identity that included AR posters, an interactive 3D website, and a brand kit. These elements worked together to provide an immersive experience, showcasing how the brand could foster inner peace and accessibility for a diverse audience.
Focusing on themes such as Buddhist art and Carl Jung’s mandala theory, the project aimed to create an inclusive space where individuals can explore self-discovery and balance. To communicate the concept effectively and engage visitors, I developed a cohesive brand identity that included AR posters, an interactive 3D website, and a brand kit. These elements worked together to provide an immersive experience, showcasing how the brand could foster inner peace and accessibility for a diverse audience.
01
Background: Introduce Marga to Manda
PROBLEM CONTEXT
What inspired the creation of Marga to Manda?
The creation of Marga to Manda is deeply connected to the realities of modern life, where individuals lead busy, often exhausting lives that leave little room for reflection or emotional nourishment. In such a fast-paced world, the need for cultivating spiritual and emotional well-being has become increasingly important. However, traditional religions, which once served as a central source of such growth, no longer align with the needs and lifestyles of many modern people.
The creation of Marga to Manda is deeply connected to the realities of modern life, where individuals lead busy, often exhausting lives that leave little room for reflection or emotional nourishment. In such a fast-paced world, the need for cultivating spiritual and emotional well-being has become increasingly important. However, traditional religions, which once served as a central source of such growth, no longer align with the needs and lifestyles of many modern people.
The creation of Marga to Manda is deeply connected to the realities of modern life, where individuals lead busy, often exhausting lives that leave little room for reflection or emotional nourishment. In such a fast-paced world, the need for cultivating spiritual and emotional well-being has become increasingly important. However, traditional religions, which once served as a central source of such growth, no longer align with the needs and lifestyles of many modern people.
TARGET USER
Modern Seekers of Emotional and Spiritual Well-being
Marga to Manda caters to busy, modern individuals who crave emotional balance and personal growth in their fast-paced lives. These users, including professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs aged 25–45, seek non-traditional methods for self-discovery and stress relief as traditional religious practices no longer align with their needs.
Marga to Manda caters to busy, modern individuals who crave emotional balance and personal growth in their fast-paced lives. These users, including professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs aged 25–45, seek non-traditional methods for self-discovery and stress relief as traditional religious practices no longer align with their needs.
Marga to Manda caters to busy, modern individuals who crave emotional balance and personal growth in their fast-paced lives. These users, including professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs aged 25–45, seek non-traditional methods for self-discovery and stress relief as traditional religious practices no longer align with their needs.
SOLUTION
Marga to Manda: A Modern Sanctuary for Spiritual Fulfillment
Addressing the gap left by traditional religion, Marga to Manda blends ancient inspirations like the mandala with contemporary spiritual practices. Through activities such as tea ceremonies, mandala drawing, and meditation, the brand provides a holistic space for self-discovery, supporting inner peace and emotional well-being.
Addressing the gap left by traditional religion, Marga to Manda blends ancient inspirations like the mandala with contemporary spiritual practices. Through activities such as tea ceremonies, mandala drawing, and meditation, the brand provides a holistic space for self-discovery, supporting inner peace and emotional well-being.
Addressing the gap left by traditional religion, Marga to Manda blends ancient inspirations like the mandala with contemporary spiritual practices. Through activities such as tea ceremonies, mandala drawing, and meditation, the brand provides a holistic space for self-discovery, supporting inner peace and emotional well-being.
02
User Research
USER RESEARCH
Carl Jung’s Mandala Theory to Validate Marga to Manda
To design Marga to Manda with a strong user-centered foundation, I conducted research inspired by Carl Jung’s mandala theory, which symbolizes wholeness and supports self-discovery and emotional balance. The findings validated the need for a holistic space blending ancient inspirations with modern wellness practices.
To design Marga to Manda with a strong user-centered foundation, I conducted research inspired by Carl Jung’s mandala theory, which symbolizes wholeness and supports self-discovery and emotional balance. The findings validated the need for a holistic space blending ancient inspirations with modern wellness practices.
To design Marga to Manda with a strong user-centered foundation, I conducted research inspired by Carl Jung’s mandala theory, which symbolizes wholeness and supports self-discovery and emotional balance. The findings validated the need for a holistic space blending ancient inspirations with modern wellness practices.
These insights shaped Marga to Manda as a visually engaging and emotionally enriching experience for modern individuals seeking balance and self-discovery.
These insights shaped Marga to Manda as a visually engaging and emotionally enriching experience for modern individuals seeking balance and self-discovery.
These insights shaped Marga to Manda as a visually engaging and emotionally enriching experience for modern individuals seeking balance and self-discovery.
03
Brand Identity
MOTIF
The Mandala: A Symbol of Harmony and Self-Discovery
The mandala, a “cosmos map” in Buddhist art, symbolizes harmony, truth, and self-realization, making it a powerful motif for Marga to Manda. Its name, combining Manda (essence) and La (possession), reflects the journey to reclaim one’s inner essence.
The mandala, a “cosmos map” in Buddhist art, symbolizes harmony, truth, and self-realization, making it a powerful motif for Marga to Manda. Its name, combining Manda (essence) and La (possession), reflects the journey to reclaim one’s inner essence.
The mandala, a “cosmos map” in Buddhist art, symbolizes harmony, truth, and self-realization, making it a powerful motif for Marga to Manda. Its name, combining Manda (essence) and La (possession), reflects the journey to reclaim one’s inner essence.
With its interfaith inclusivity and focus on inner truth, the mandala aligns perfectly with the brand’s philosophy, bridging timeless wisdom with modern needs to guide individuals toward balance and self-discovery.
With its interfaith inclusivity and focus on inner truth, the mandala aligns perfectly with the brand’s philosophy, bridging timeless wisdom with modern needs to guide individuals toward balance and self-discovery.
With its interfaith inclusivity and focus on inner truth, the mandala aligns perfectly with the brand’s philosophy, bridging timeless wisdom with modern needs to guide individuals toward balance and self-discovery.
BRAND NAME
The Meaning Behind the Name: A Path Toward Essence
Marga to Manda combines two ancient Sanskrit words: Marga, meaning “path,” and Manda, meaning “essence,” to signify “a path toward essence.” The brand name reflects the symmetrical and orderly visual characteristics of the mandala, as Marga and Manda share the same number of letters and a similar structure when written in the Latin alphabet.
Marga to Manda combines two ancient Sanskrit words: Marga, meaning “path,” and Manda, meaning “essence,” to signify “a path toward essence.” The brand name reflects the symmetrical and orderly visual characteristics of the mandala, as Marga and Manda share the same number of letters and a similar structure when written in the Latin alphabet.
Marga to Manda combines two ancient Sanskrit words: Marga, meaning “path,” and Manda, meaning “essence,” to signify “a path toward essence.” The brand name reflects the symmetrical and orderly visual characteristics of the mandala, as Marga and Manda share the same number of letters and a similar structure when written in the Latin alphabet.
BRAND LOGO
The Logotype: Symmetry in Design
The logotype for Marga to Manda is designed to reflect the symmetrical and orderly visual characteristics of the intricately crafted mandala, while also capturing its mystical essence.
The logotype for Marga to Manda is designed to reflect the symmetrical and orderly visual characteristics of the intricately crafted mandala, while also capturing its mystical essence.
The logotype for Marga to Manda is designed to reflect the symmetrical and orderly visual characteristics of the intricately crafted mandala, while also capturing its mystical essence.
04
Brand Space & Pattern Concept
BRAND SPACE
Geometry of Essence: The Three Foundational Shapes
Marga to Manda is designed around the visual symbolism of the mandala, featuring three fundamental geometric motifs. The square symbolizes the earth, the triangle serves as a bridge between earth and sky, and the circle represents the universe. These shapes form the foundation of the spaces within Marga to Manda.
Marga to Manda is designed around the visual symbolism of the mandala, featuring three fundamental geometric motifs. The square symbolizes the earth, the triangle serves as a bridge between earth and sky, and the circle represents the universe. These shapes form the foundation of the spaces within Marga to Manda.
Marga to Manda is designed around the visual symbolism of the mandala, featuring three fundamental geometric motifs. The square symbolizes the earth, the triangle serves as a bridge between earth and sky, and the circle represents the universe. These shapes form the foundation of the spaces within Marga to Manda.
BRAND PATTERN
Patterns Inspired by Mandala Geometry
Marga to Manda features a pattern system inspired by the mandala’s three fundamental shapes. This system is applied across the brand’s visual identity, including its spaces, graphic posters, and AR motion designs.
Marga to Manda features a pattern system inspired by the mandala’s three fundamental shapes. This system is applied across the brand’s visual identity, including its spaces, graphic posters, and AR motion designs.
Marga to Manda features a pattern system inspired by the mandala’s three fundamental shapes. This system is applied across the brand’s visual identity, including its spaces, graphic posters, and AR motion designs.
Marga to Manda is composed of three spaces—Akasha, Manda, and Ananda—each grounded in the symbolic systems of the mandala.
TEA ROOM
AKASHA
Akasha, the first space of Marga to Manda, is a tea room where vistiors can calm their minds from worldly distractions and let go of burdens through the practice of a tea ceremony.
Akasha, the first space of Marga to Manda, is a tea room where vistiors can calm their minds from worldly distractions and let go of burdens through the practice of a tea ceremony.
Akasha, the first space of Marga to Manda, is a tea room where vistiors can calm their minds from worldly distractions and let go of burdens through the practice of a tea ceremony.
MANDALA ROOM
MANDA
Manda, provides visitors to Marga to Manda with an opportunity to create their own mandalas, offering time for self-reflection.
Manda, provides visitors to Marga to Manda with an opportunity to create their own mandalas, offering time for self-reflection.
Manda, provides visitors to Marga to Manda with an opportunity to create their own mandalas, offering time for self-reflection.
MEDITATION ROOM
ANANDA
Ananda, the meditation room, invites visitors to explore the microcosm of their essence through the practice of meditation.
Ananda, the meditation room, invites visitors to explore the microcosm of their essence through the practice of meditation.
Ananda, the meditation room, invites visitors to explore the microcosm of their essence through the practice of meditation.
3D INTERACTIVE WEBSITE
Explore Marga to Manda
Visitors move through the spaces of Akasha, Manda, and Ananda in sequence, journeying from the present world to their own inner microcosm.
Visitors move through the spaces of Akasha, Manda, and Ananda in sequence, journeying from the present world to their own inner microcosm.
Visitors move through the spaces of Akasha, Manda, and Ananda in sequence, journeying from the present world to their own inner microcosm.
The website is built with Three.js. (It might take a moment to load…⏳)
The website is built with Three.js. (It might take a moment to load…⏳)
The website is built with Three.js. (It might take a moment to load…⏳)
05
AR Poster & Brand Kit
AR POSTER
The AR posters, inspired by the three spaces of Marga to Manda, enhance the immersive experience for visitors.
The AR posters, inspired by the three spaces of Marga to Manda, enhance the immersive experience for visitors.
The AR posters, inspired by the three spaces of Marga to Manda, enhance the immersive experience for visitors.
BRAND KIT
The Marga to Manda brand kit includes an informational leaflet for visitors, an invitation card, and a brand book that tells the story of the space’s creation.
The Marga to Manda brand kit includes an informational leaflet for visitors, an invitation card, and a brand book that tells the story of the space’s creation.
The Marga to Manda brand kit includes an informational leaflet for visitors, an invitation card, and a brand book that tells the story of the space’s creation.
Visitor Information Leaflet
Visitor Information Leaflet
Invitation Card
Invitation Card
Brand Book
Brand Book
06
Exhibition View
07
Final Takeaways
Wrapping Up My Undergraduate Studies..
This project was a meaningful way to wrap up my six years of undergraduate studies, bringing together my diverse interests in the humanities through design. It allowed me to experiment with new visual tools like AR and Three.js, expanding the possibilities of visual storytelling while learning how to design a brand from the perspective of the user. Explaining my project to visitors at the exhibition and seeing them connect with my work was an incredibly rewarding experience. (One of my closest friends was even moved to tears by my effort, which meant the world to me! 😭)
This project was a meaningful way to wrap up my six years of undergraduate studies, bringing together my diverse interests in the humanities through design. It allowed me to experiment with new visual tools like AR and Three.js, expanding the possibilities of visual storytelling while learning how to design a brand from the perspective of the user. Explaining my project to visitors at the exhibition and seeing them connect with my work was an incredibly rewarding experience. (One of my closest friends was even moved to tears by my effort, which meant the world to me! 😭)
This project was a meaningful way to wrap up my six years of undergraduate studies, bringing together my diverse interests in the humanities through design. It allowed me to experiment with new visual tools like AR and Three.js, expanding the possibilities of visual storytelling while learning how to design a brand from the perspective of the user. Explaining my project to visitors at the exhibition and seeing them connect with my work was an incredibly rewarding experience. (One of my closest friends was even moved to tears by my effort, which meant the world to me! 😭)
A Holistic Approach to Modern Needs
This project allowed me to explore the intersection of design, spirituality, and psychology, providing a unique opportunity to address modern individuals’ emotional and spiritual needs. By integrating insights from Buddhist art, Carl Jung’s mandala psychology, and contemporary design principles, I was able to create a concept that resonates with the hectic lives of today’s audience.
This project allowed me to explore the intersection of design, spirituality, and psychology, providing a unique opportunity to address modern individuals’ emotional and spiritual needs. By integrating insights from Buddhist art, Carl Jung’s mandala psychology, and contemporary design principles, I was able to create a concept that resonates with the hectic lives of today’s audience.
This project allowed me to explore the intersection of design, spirituality, and psychology, providing a unique opportunity to address modern individuals’ emotional and spiritual needs. By integrating insights from Buddhist art, Carl Jung’s mandala psychology, and contemporary design principles, I was able to create a concept that resonates with the hectic lives of today’s audience.
Empathy as the Core of Design
Through this project, I learned the importance of empathy in design—understanding user needs, integrating cultural and historical contexts, and creating a space that feels both accessible and transformative. This experience reinforced my belief that design can serve as a powerful tool for bridging ancient wisdom with modern lifestyles, providing a pathway for individuals to reconnect with their inner selves.
Through this project, I learned the importance of empathy in design—understanding user needs, integrating cultural and historical contexts, and creating a space that feels both accessible and transformative. This experience reinforced my belief that design can serve as a powerful tool for bridging ancient wisdom with modern lifestyles, providing a pathway for individuals to reconnect with their inner selves.
Through this project, I learned the importance of empathy in design—understanding user needs, integrating cultural and historical contexts, and creating a space that feels both accessible and transformative. This experience reinforced my belief that design can serve as a powerful tool for bridging ancient wisdom with modern lifestyles, providing a pathway for individuals to reconnect with their inner selves.
🫣 Behind The Scenes
As you can probably tell, I put my everything into this project—not just staying up all night designing, but also making endless trips to the print shop and building the entire exhibition space from scratch. (It was my first time painting walls and putting up vinyl sheets, but luckily, my awesome classmates made it way easier! 🩷)
As you can probably tell, I put my everything into this project—not just staying up all night designing, but also making endless trips to the print shop and building the entire exhibition space from scratch. (It was my first time painting walls and putting up vinyl sheets, but luckily, my awesome classmates made it way easier! 🩷)
As you can probably tell, I put my everything into this project—not just staying up all night designing, but also making endless trips to the print shop and building the entire exhibition space from scratch. (It was my first time painting walls and putting up vinyl sheets, but luckily, my awesome classmates made it way easier! 🩷)
