1972 Münich Olympic Signage

When it comes to the Olympics, it is typically a great honor for that country and place to host the events. That said, since the early 20th century, the artistic elements and graphic design for the events are usually created by that country and reflect elements of the host country. 

In this post, we are looking at several renditions of different posters promoting the sporting events at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The posters were created by a team led by Otto “Otl” Aicher. Aicher was a German graphic designer and typographer who was known for leading the 1972 Summer Olympics design team, as well as overseeing the creation of the pictograms, that were primarily used (Moma). Aicher strongly used these pictograms, as well as mixing the icons with a bright palette and placing them in a strict grid system (Clark). 

The work Otl did himself would be spread far and wide for the events, for example, some of the airport signs. His icons are known for being more efficient and cleaner than years past, yet evoking a true feeling of movement (Medium). Otl Aicher is important to graphic design history, not just for creating the influential public signage system that featured the simple stick figure graphic, but for his design elements that are still used widely today (Clark). 

References:

Clark, Carlie. “Design through the Decades: The 1970’s - Creative Agency Brisbane: Hello Creative Agency.” Creative Agency Brisbane | Hello Creative Agency, Creative Agency Brisbane | Hello Creative Agency, 13 Oct. 2020, www.hellocreativeagency.com/blog/design-through-the-decades-the-1970s.

graphéine, Tiphaine. “The New Graphic Charter of the Olympic Games.” Graphéine - Agence de Communication Paris Lyon, 2 Nov. 2022, www.grapheine.com/en/logo-news/new-graphic-charter-olympic-games.

Otl Aicher (Also Known as Otto Aicher) | Moma, www.moma.org/artists/86. Accessed 29 Feb. 2024.

Publishing), Decision-First AI (fka Corsair’s. “Iconic Visionaries of Design - Otl Aicher.” Medium, Charting Ahead, 13 Feb. 2017, medium.com/charting-ahead/iconic-visionaries-of-design-otl-aicher-8d2b3f613c0a.