Tokyo 2020 Olympics & Paralympics Unveil New Set of Sports Pictograms

Ever since 1964, the Olympic Games had a set of pictograms designed every four years to capture the essence of its sports events in a clearer and more understandable manner for its global audience. Now, in preparation for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the organizing committee has unveiled the newest set of pictograms which covers every single sport in the two celebrated events.

The 70 pictograms were designed by Japanese designer Masaaki Hiromura, while 33 of the Olympic sports and 22 of the Paralympic sports were then animated by local motion designer Kota Iguchiare. The designs also encompass Japan’s five iconic colors: kurenai, ai, sakura, fuji, and matsuba.

“I have tried to express the dynamic beauty of the athletes through these pictograms, while respecting the legacy bequeathed by the pioneers of the Japanese design industry in their designs for the Tokyo 1964 Games,” said Hiromura. ’‘The 2020 designs took us almost two years to complete and they embody the thoughtful input of the many people involved. I hope that these pictograms will inspire everyone and help generate excitement for the different sports at Tokyo 2020, and that they will colorfully decorate the Tokyo 2020 games.”

For more design-related news, Artilleriet has relaunched Jan Ekselius’ iconic Etcetera chair from the ’70s.