Design at the Beijing Olympic games
I have no specific interest in the major sport event that is the Olympic Games. It is way too politicized for me, and the money involved makes the whole thing look more like a big marketing opportunity than a sport reunion.
However, it is still interesting to see how designers are participating in such an event, which I’ll try to do in this article by categories.
Architecture
For the current games, an amazing work has been made to create the necessary infrastructure for the games to take place. World’s most famous architects have been hired to design those stadium, the most famous probably being the National Stadium and its amazing roof, created by Herzog & De Meuron.
Update: as Jacob suggested in the comment section, here is a link to more on the buildings that shape the Beijing olympics.
Fashion design
Fashion design at the Olympic Games doesn’t have much to do with glamorous magazines covers, but is more a matter of engineers looking for the best material to improve performances. One of the examples of this is probably the LZR Racer high-tech swimsuits.
Graphic design
A lot of graphic design elements are needed to promote such an event, the most viewed probably being the logo, mascots and pictograms.
The Beijing Olympics logo
The Beijing Olympics pictograms
The Beijing Olympics mascots
Product design
Apart from all the marketing items, some other objects have to be designed for the Olympic Games, such as the olympic torch or the medals.
Recent Olympic Torches, the New York Times has a complete collection of Olympic Torches.
Olympic medals for Beijing Games, read about it on the official website.
Photography
I don’t have any picture of the current games to share here, but sport event are a great place for photographers to work. Be sure to regularly take a look at the Big Picture blog, they surely will post some great pictures.
Update: the Big Picture did post some pictures, and they are indeed awesome!
Being inspired is one way to think outside of the box. For me Being noticed by being different works the best. Everyone has made a better pizza, cola and beer…..so whats left…..we have to make a different pizza, cola and beer. I mean there are loads of celebrity singers out there…..and people don’t care because they’re not that great…..but they do get noticed because they market themselves as different not better.
Brilliant stuff, I think they all really work well together too, without doubt the best looking Olympics yet. The opening ceremony was amazing too, visually it had it all.
haha,i can from china,
Welcome to look at the Beijing Olympic Games!
Simply the best Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in history on 080808 @ 888 at Beijing! It started as a dream and ended with a dream – ONE WORLD ONE DREAM!
And here’s a parody of the Olympic pictograms: http://www.you.uz/2008/08/official-olympics-symbolics-2008.html
Really funny!
This is perhaps the best designs to ever be part of the Olympics. Except maybe for the 1984 Olympics in L.A. when I look back, some oft he designs are great also, but I wonder how much of that is due to the novelty of age. Do I think 1984 Olympic designs are good because they are over 20 years ago? regardless, these games have designs that rock!
Good post, Mirko. You should show some of the other cool buildings as well.
@Marty: yes it one of the best designed games, I agree with you on that. I wonder how we’ll look at it in 20 years.
@Sam: Thanks for the link, that was funny indeed.
@Jacob: Good suggestion, I’ve updated the post with a link to an article about the games buildings.
The swirling design elements used in Beijing Olympics 2008 have been exclusively created and used by Artist Sudi Narayan from Atlanta, USA. See his website http://www.artofsudi.com (Art of Sudi)
Also sample images http://www.artofsudi.com/images/Bliss250.jpg
The opening ceremony was just amazing !
Being inspired is one way to think outside of the box. For me Being noticed by being different works the best.