Problem

The Olympic Games is a global sports event that requires a strong visual identity to represent its values and spirit. Each host city needs a new visual identity in order to create the Look of the Games and the Look of the City that can capture the essence of it. An identity that could resonate with people around the world and reflect the context (host city) of the specific Games for both athletes and viewers/fans.

Our team was tasked with creating a new visual identity for the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games that would be used across all media platforms, including print, digital, and broadcast.

Learn more about our process here.

Solution

We started by conducting research on the history of the Olympic Games and its values. We also analysed previous visual identities to identify what worked well and what didn't. We then researched a visual style that could reflect the host city of Athens. Based on our research, we developed several concepts that captured the essence of the games while remaining modern and relevant to the host city. After several rounds of feedback and design assessments, we landed on a final concept that incorporated systems from previous identities while introducing new elements such as vibrant colors stemming from the greek landscape and dynamic shapes and lines stemming from antiquity, with a modern twist.

The secondary graphics played a huge role to the overall Look and Style. The final design was flexible enough to be used across all media platforms while maintaining consistency in messaging and branding. Sub design strategies were created for the Look of the Games (Venue interiors, exteriors, fields of play etc) and the Look of the city. Here are the three venues i was in charge of:

Here are some images of my work as broadcasted on TV around the globe.

Impact

Sold out venues
Record broadcasting figures

“Welcome home” - This was the slogan of the Games as, indeed, the Games returned to their country of birth, 108 years after the first Games of the modern era were held in Athens in 1896.

Learn More

Click here to learn more about the team. PYTHIA, the first in the history of the Games visual guide that i worked on, is part of the permanent exhibition at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

Here's how the navigation of the Digital Guide PYTHIA worked.

Click here to learn more about PYTHIA and other guidelines i worked on.

Click here to learn more about the Olympic Museum in Athens.

Team

Here is the Design dream Team led by Theodora Mantzaris for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games that made everything possible.

ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games Visual Identity