After months of work in secrecy, the design team at VANOC has revealed the new graphic identity system and sport pictograms for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. VANOC’s Design Director, Leo Obstbaum, said “The sport illustrations bring the athletes to life in a way that’s never been done before.”
Right on cue, the design community began buzzing with opinions about the work. Some raved about how fresh, friendly and fun it was. Others moaned that it seemed too much like stock illustration or too busy. Many seem to appreciate the new sports pictograms while others miss the simpler abstract quality of previous games’ icons. I don’t disagree with any of these assessments, yet find myself attracted to the new identity system.
Long ago I learned that it’s hard enough to please a client, let alone a large group of opinionated graphic designers who probably all think they could do better (yeah, right). But whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, you have to respect the hard work that went into the process of creating an arguably beautiful and expressive graphic identity system. And what a treat to see VANOC’s research process and inspirations revealed in their “Transmoflection” video.
Posted by Mark Busse
Tags: 2010, Design, Graphic Identity System, Leo Obstbaum, Olympic Games, olympics, Pictograms, Vancouver, VANOC
