Why is my logo a phoenix?

Welcome to a journey through the evolution of my art and the search for my unique identity as a designer.
Today, I want to share the story behind the creation of my personal brand: Zephora.

It all began with a dream—a vision of my art that I wanted to share with the world. My first attempt took shape under the name “Daymond,” a play on my given name, Daymar, combined with the elegance and symbolism of the English word diamond.

Please, let’s all agree to ignore the fact that my given name is Daymar—this detail exists purely for the sake of storytelling, haha. You can call me by my pseudonym, Zephora.

The logo for the Daymond brand was a paint blot inspired by the Rorschach test, a psychological assessment in which a person is asked to interpret what they see in an abstract image.

At its center, the logo featured a diamond heart, symbolizing my desire to express complex emotions. The sharp, angular lines of the heart contrasted with the soft, organic curves of the paint blot, while the strong color contrast between blue and red reflected the idea of creative duality.

However, as my career progressed, my connection to this personal brand slowly began to fade. The first obstacle came from some university professors who were resistant to the use of pseudonyms. Still, I wanted to preserve an artistic name without losing the connection to my work and identity—and that’s when the need for change became clear.

After some reflection, I decided to rename my brand Zephora.

The name came to me almost magically, on an ordinary day while my mind was elsewhere. When I later researched its meaning, I discovered it translated to “the beauty of the bird” in Greek. At the time, I had no idea of its origin—nor did I know it was also associated with a biblical character—but phonetically, it resonated with me. It simply sounded magical.

This shift brought with it a new logo: a magical seal adorned with symbols of my own creation. Still, it was during a class on personal branding that my vision gained a deeper sense of direction.

Test de Rorschach

Most of my classmates chose simple yet effective ways to represent themselves—an animal they liked, a stylized typeface, or a visual element that captured who they were as individuals. Only two of us leaned toward more elaborate concepts. In my case, I wasn’t just trying to represent myself as a designer, but also to convey the idea of magic.

My professor suggested incorporating real, historically grounded symbolism rather than elements created entirely by myself. This approach would allow me to explore different cultures around the world in search of the one that best represented my concept, while also giving the design a stronger, more researched foundation.

During this process, I delved into Greek mythology and alchemy in search of inspiration. That’s when I discovered the symbols that would shape my new identity: the olive crown, representing victory and prosperity; the circle with a central dot, symbolizing the sun and gold; and the phoenix, a timeless symbol of renewal and transformation.

These elements came together in a new logo for Zephora: the wings of a phoenix adorned with an olive crown, symbolizing victory through transformation. Choosing to spell Zephora with a Z was a personal decision that added a distinct and unique character to the brand.

While not everyone may immediately recognize the layers of symbolism behind the logo, its magical essence is clearly conveyed—and that, in itself, fulfills its purpose. My journey toward a unique artistic identity has been one of self-discovery and growth. Every change and every challenge has played a role in shaping who I am as a designer.

Zephora is more than just a name or a logo; it is the embodiment of my artistic vision—a symbol of transformation and beauty. Through this journey, I’ve learned that true magic lies in the connection between art and the soul. I’m excited to continue exploring this path I’ve created for myself, one you can discover in greater depth in my other article, My Evolution in Design.

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