Design is a huge contributing factor to the success of many successful events and the Olympics are no exception. Like the athletes that have spent countless hours training for the event, many designers put in a lot of work behind the scenes, making sure the messaging and the creative coordinate perfectly with the location and event. Here's a bit of background on three iconic elements from the Rio 2016 Olympics:

The Logo

In a designer’s mind, an identity set begins with the logo. In the case of the Olympics, designing a logo can be especially challenging. Think about it: The mark needs to reflect the event as well as the culture of the host city. Additionally, it has to appeal to the entire world.

Brazilian agency Tatil won the bid for the creation of the 2016 Rio Olympics, beating nearly 140 competitors. The logo was designed to symbolize many facets of the people and culture of Rio, but one of the most magical things for the creators was how the logo took on new meanings after it was released.

For more reading on Olympics logo designs, check out AIGA’s Eye on Design article where graphic design legend Milton Glaser rated every Olympics ever created on a scale of 1-100. Spoiler Alter: Tokyo’s 1964 logo was his favorite.

The Medal

Throughout the Olympic games, the word “Medal” is used countless times; it’s undoubtably a main symbol of the event, alluding to victory, history and legacy. This year, the Brazilian Mint created the Olympic medal design by blending Greek symbolism with modern concern for sustainability. According to the official statement:

 “The silver and bronze medals have been produced using 30 per cent recycled materials. Half of the plastic in the ribbons which will be used to hang the medals around athletes’ necks comes from recycled plastic bottles. The rounded cases that hold the medals were made from freijó wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.”

Here's a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes process:

The Torch

Another iconic symbol of the Olympic games is the torch. The torch for the 2016 Rio Olympics, designed by Chelles and Hayashi, took a team of eight people over eight weeks just to come up with the technical drawings. The goal: capture the energy of Brazil. Learn more about the design process in this article from Rolling Stone.

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