Play Studio Softens the Edges of Pharma with Human-Centric Aesthetic

GraphisMay 6, 2025

In a category known for cold, clinical design, Play Studio brought a more human approach to Cy Biopharma, a company developing psychedelic-based therapies for chronic pain. Instead of sterile minimalism, they led with emotion, using soft gradients to visualize the relief patients could feel, paired with the clarity of Univers type and precise iconography. It’s a system that balances science and sensation, setting the tone for a visual identity as thoughtful as the treatments it represents.

By: Casey Martin, Founder & ECD, Play

Cy came to us with a request to help articulate a visual identity that could communicate both care and credibility—something more human than the cold, clinical world often associated with pharmaceuticals.

Cy develops breakthrough drug therapies for treating chronic pain through the generation of novel psilocybin and other psychedelic-derived molecules, so it felt important to us to engage more deeply with the emotional outcome of Cy’s work—the real impact it has on patients versus the problems or issues associated with Cy’s “why.”

That desire led us to develop a gradient language, born from our attempts to visualize the sensation and relief experienced by Cy Biopharma’s patients. It became a way to represent not just how they felt but how they could feel again. Each product was assigned its own distinct gradient, allowing us to visualize each treatment uniquely while helping customers easily identify their correct product on an often crowded and chaotic cabinet shelf.

To balance that ephemeral, sensory-driven language, we introduced a more technical typographic approach. Univers, with its precise and machined aesthetic, provided the perfect counterpoint, bringing clarity and structure without sacrificing warmth.

The fine linework and iconography followed naturally from this philosophy. They strengthen the sense of technical excellence and convey the finely tuned attention to detail we all crave from a company like Cy. In the end, the identity lives in that balance between emotion and precision, sensation and science.


Play is the highest form of exploration. We partner with visionary teams to build brands that resonate deep into the future.

Social: Instagram, LinkedIn, X


Want to see more packaging design? Check out our Design 2025 and Packaging 10 winners on our website!

You may also like

Related Annuals & Publications

View All
Issue 345 - Digital Version

Issue 345 - Digital Version

$4.99
Graphis Interactive Design 1 - Digital Version

Graphis Interactive Design 1 - Digital Version

$30.00$15.00
Design 2017 - Digital Version

Design 2017 - Digital Version

$30.00$15.00
Graphis Journal Magazine 383 - Digital Version

Graphis Journal Magazine 383 - Digital Version

$15.00

Become a Graphis Member

Join as a Graphis Member and enjoy savings on Call for Entries, Publications, and much more!
Join Now
  • 1-Year Membership Subscription
  • Enjoy 50% off on Call for Entries
  • 1-Year FREE Subscription to Graphis Journal
  • Your Portfolio online with profile + links
  • Get 20% off on Graphis Books
Become a Graphis Member