Underground Inspiration for Olympic Pictograms

London 2012 has unveiled the 38 London 2012 Olympic pictograms to be used in the run up to and during the Olympic Games in 2012.

Each Olympic sport has their very own icon for visual representation to be used for signage, on tickets and on the field of play at Games-time. A full set of Paralympic pictograms will be launched later in 2009.

The London 2012 pictograms were developed in consultation with International Sporting Federations around the world and have been designed to give each sporting discipline a vibrant identity. It is hoped that the pictograms will become a vital ‘wayfinder’ tool for spectators visiting both the Olympic Park in Stratford and the various Olympic venues around the UK.

Ironically, Olympic pictograms were originally created for use at the last London Games in 1948 and since Tokyo 1964, have become a regular feature of the Games.

They are two different pictogram formats – a silhouette version for standard use and a dynamic version inspired by the connectivity of the London Underground map! The dynamic icons will be used on merchandise, posters, sign posts and all ‘wayfinding’ materials.

Seb Coe, Chairman London 2012 said, “The pictograms will be a vital wayfinder for spectators at Games-time and will become recognisable come 2012, but by unveiling them now we have a fantastic opportunity to use them as a tool for people to find out more about the Olympic sports.

“Over the next three years, each sport has a golden opportunity to tell its story and educate the British public about what it is on offer at London 2012. I hope the pictograms will be the gateway to achieve this and we will work with all of the governing bodies to ensure that knowledge of all the Olympic sports increases between now and 2012.”

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