Tokyo 2020 Unveils Striking Animated Pictograms That Mirror Each Sport In Games

By Izza Sofia, 27 Feb 2020

Olympic pictograms

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics has revealed the first-ever animated pictograms in the history of the Games.

The 73 pictograms were created by Japanese designer Masaaki Hiromura and animated by Japanese motion designer Kota Iguchi. Each rendition imagines a sport in full sequence against a white background.

The moving pictograms comprise a series of three movements—appear, static and disappear. According to the organizers, the moving pictograms emulate the “characteristics and athleticism” of each sport and “highlight the dynamism of the athletes.”

23 pictograms represent the 22 Paralympic sports while the other 50 represent the 33 Olympic sports. Some of the pictograms include a basketball player slam-dunking a ball and a gymnast performing a standing split.

The team managed to recreate the 3D movements of athletes, and transformed them into 2D. Complex motions such as twists have also been included.

Iguchi said that it took over a year for them to create the animated pictograms.

“The new kinetic sport pictograms will broaden the appeal of each sport by means of their beautiful and more easily conveyed expressions,” he explained.

“I hope that they will brighten up each of the events and, while a creation of the Tokyo 2020 Games, I hope they will be passed on to future Games as a legacy for the future, as well as inspiring video designers in other countries,” he continued.

The moving pictograms will be featured on Tokyo’s 2020 website, social media channels and its venues.

For the first time in Games history, #Tokyo2020 has created kinetic sport pictograms! #Tokyo2020 has created the first animated pictograms to highlight just how dynamic, innovative, and special this Games will be! ✨#UnitedByEmotion @Olympics @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/NFw8uhFaU2
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) February 26, 2020