Authors own 

 Research into Olympic Logos

The Olympics is a 4 year event with summer and winter games, both games are scheduled slightly apart to give audiences and participants time between the events.  By selecting a few iconic logos it gave me the chance to analyse them and compare them against one another.

Albertiville 1992
The official emblem consists of an Olympic flame in the colours of the savoie region, and is an element of the visual identity of the Albertville games, which had to meet the three main objectives, highlight the mountain site, modernity and sports.

London 2012 Logo Authors own 

London 2012 Summer Games

The jagged emblem, based on the date 2012, comes in a series of shades of pink, blue, green and orange and will evolve in the run-up to the Games.
The word London and the Olympic rings are included in the first two digits of the new logo.

Each edition of the Olympic Games brings its own flavour and touch to what is now well over a century of modern Olympic history; the brand launched today by London 2012 is, I believe, an early indication of the dynamism, modernity and inclusiveness with which London 2012 will leave its Olympic mark."

Logo - Vancouver - Authors own 

Vancouver 2012 Winter Games

The new Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics logo, named Ilanaaq, and designed by a Vancouver graphic artist Elena Rivera MacGregor, was unveiled in Vancouver April 23, 2005, in this image released by the Vancouver Olympic Committee.


The emblem of the Olympic Winter Games is a colorful humanoid with arms spread wide, a contemporary interpretation of a stone landmark called an inukshuk with a history stretching back more than 3,000 years in Inuit culture. Sitting atop the Olympic Rings, the symbol looms large on licensed merchandise and is sure to generate curiosity once the Games are under way.

Timeline - Authors own 

Timeline For the Games

 The games evolved back in Ancient Greece and looking back this far can be daunting, but actually was interesting looking at how the games have changed. I wanted to create a list or timeline of all the games but that would mean hours sitting and writing down the names.  So I took the most iconic games either winter or summer and jotted them down.
What is noticeable is how much interest the games have nowadays compared to ancient Greece 777.b.c. Media coverage is widely used and this was evident in Sochi. The BBC took over commentary for the 2 weeks of events.

Authors own - London 2012

 Behind the Olympic Flame 

The story behind it goes back to Prometheus who stole fire to give to man, as a punishment he was chained to a rock by Zeus, the God of fire. Basically Prometheus defied him.
In the sanctuary of Olympia the flame burned permanently on the alter of the goddess Hestia.

The flame must never go out on its journey, and it must withstand the difficult conditions. Back in the day the relays were carried on foot, this is the same as today for example for the London games the torch was carried by foot.

The flame represents the positive values that man has always associated fire with. Fire has many symbols the divine origin of fire made it a secret element.
In the early days the torches didn't change much in design shape and size, its only in the modern games the hosting country has taken pride in redesigning a torch to symbolism their country.

Authors own 

Rio and its history, Etymology of Brazil

Brazil is a fairly new state compared to some other countries, historians and scientists have discovered that communities of indigenous people around 8000 years ago. These first people were nomadic beings, believed to have come from parts of Asia in search of abundant hunting grounds.

Why did I research into Brazil and their history?

Authors own 

I wanted to look at my research from a different angle as im designing for Rio 2016 looking into their past and iconic natural and historical figures was a good place to start.

Authors own 

Pau Brazil caesalpinia echinata is the national tree of Brazil, the country to which it gave its name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesalpinia_echinata

I have had some thoughts about this tree, on the medals engraving could be used to create an outline of this famous tree which would identity Brazil to those medals. Its also a nice historical thing and plus it would look beautiful.  The Sydney games had the same sort of thing but it was an olive tree look alike as the logo. 

What im looking for is a designing that shouts Brazil as the host country it needs to be special and really relate to their history.

Comparing Barcelona to London 2012 Mascots

Authors own - Cobi Bear 

Barcelona was back in 1922 the mascot is named Cobi, who is a captain sheepdog, which was inspired by interpretations of Picasso.

• The name was chosen because it was easy to pronounce and was easy to write in all languages.

Its very bear like to stuck to tradition.

Designed by Javier Mariscal

What I like about it ?
its very easy to remember its distinctive, but also fun as lots of young children are going to want to buy one and play with it, and to then inspire generations.

What I dislike? I think the colour choices should of been bolder but I like the idea of him stretching out holding the world in his palms.

London 2012

Authors own - London 2012 Mascot 

This is Wenlock the Olympic design for London 2012 Olympics, he also had a twin mascot as they come in  a pair.

The main difference between the two is the colour use, Wenlock is significant as its made from colours of the GREAT BRITAIN flag colours, Cobi is not its just random colours.

This to me also shows how much design for Olympic events have changed. Now any design must feature or relate to the host nation.The actual shape is far more modern and futuristic, and honestly im exited to see Rio because London's is hard to near, me being a tad bias as im a Londoner.

Authors own - Brazilian designers 

Brazil's Graphic Designers 













 Looking at some Brazilian Graphics would also help me think  about style and colour use, I was hoping they used the colours of the flag or historical influence but this was not the case.  The thing that caught me was the middle blue design which was bright and interesting , almost octopus like with its tentacles.

Authors own

Olympic Font Analysis 

The first picture is of the London 2012 typeface and this is successful because it was clear, precise and bold whilst not being overly confident. To me the font reminds me of London's skyline. 2012Headline by Gareth Hague, the official typeface of the 2012 Olympic Games.

What is also memorable is Gareth Hague’s typeface for the London Olympics, 2012 Headline. Besides being fervently discussed – and ridiculed – in typographic circles, it was also featured in the mainstream media, both at home and abroad. Unlike the logo however 2012Headline is quite difficult to wrap one’s head around.











BERLIN DEUTSCHLAND

Authors own- Berlin

Authors own- Foster and Partners government building

Authors own - Berlin wall 

Outside the Olympic Stadium Authors own 

Authors own - Fascist Olympic Stadium 

The trip to Berlin really linked in well with my project and taking a visit to the fascist stadium was a real eye opener to the history that occurred here that changed the way the Olympics were viewed, not just for organisers but for people worldwide.

Youtube - 1936 opening ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s_K3-FEwQA