Menu Menu
[gtranslate]

Children’s therapy service Magic Canvas unveils new look

Magic Canvas is a start-up that offers art resources and practices to help children process their emotions and understand major life events, and is available to anyone.

Design agency Magpie has just unveiled its new identity branding for London-based mental health start-up Magic Canvas.

Magic Canvas offers art therapy and resources to ‘help children to express themselves,’ with one hour sessions that explore past, present, and future life events. You can also download a variety of resources from the official website, including a feelings map, colouring books, and drawing guides.

Magpie’s work leans into the creativity side of the Magic Canvas brand, adopting chalk outlines and minimal flat designs that focus on human connection and interactivity.


What’s so special about the new design?

Magpie created these designs to challenge the common misconception that psychotherapy is clinical and inaccessible.

Mental health services can be intimidating to sign up for and get involved in, particularly if you experience social anxiety and fears around your health. These logos and images were created to focus on the artistry of therapy, with an emphasis on drawing and ‘making a mess.’

They’re intended to invite children to get stuck in and be expressive – rather than focusing on the technicalities and the ins and outs of the details.

Given that the clients will be very young and inexperienced, it’s important that they feel welcome and safe when opening up. Magpie created a complete therapy toolkit that includes stamps, workbooks, and interactive card games.

When discussing its approach, Magpie was eager to stress that the project ‘wasn’t driven by ambitious commercial objectives and targets. The aim was to challenge industry norms and take out some of the fear from therapy.’

The intention was to balance play with professionalism, ‘appearing fun for kids whilst inspiring trust in their primary carers.’


Why are start-ups like Magic Canvas important?

Mental health and therapy treatment are pivotal talking points for young people, especially children and Gen Zers.

The pandemic has taken a tole on the mental wellbeing of many, and studies suggest that over 70% of Gen Zers have experienced symptoms of depression over the last year or so. These are challenging times for all – and the more services that offer creative and open spaces for young people to express themselves the better.

Magic Canvas focuses specifically on children, who don’t get adequate treatment the majority of the time when they are suffering from mental health conditions.

Larger companies exist, of course, like Mind, Sanctus, and others, and some prioritise young people specifically, such as Young Minds, but smaller start-ups can be extra attentive to individual cases, and may be a better option if you can afford it.

Either way, more resources for young people to get help where they need it will always be a positive – you can visit the official Magic Canvas website here.

Accessibility