Design

O Canada!

In an exclusive ST gallery, photographer Barry Allen captured how Vancouver’s Olympic Games and Olympic signage captivated the world.

Published

14 years ago

April 20, 2010

Barry Allen and Jeff Russ Signs of the Times May 2010 Issue

The 2010 Winter Olympics were billed as the “Sea to Sky Games,” and, from waterfront venues in Vancouver to the soaring ski jumps in Whistler, a wide variety of signs covered the landscape. While the Canadians draped iconic statues and even downtown buildings in symbols of national pride, they welcomed the world with ubiquitous Olympic banners and signs decorated with the blue tones of the sea-to-sky theme.

The multilingual nature of the Games demands that signage rely on icons to inform spectators. From the large-format graphics that dominate specific venues to the pictograms affixed to first-aid centers and food courts, the signage at Olympic games require a distinct simplicity of purpose

The Olympic sign designers’ challenge is to make these signs fresh and distinctive and, at the same time, familiar. Enjoy!

Introducing the Sign Industry Podcast

The Sign Industry Podcast is a platform for every sign person out there — from the old-timers who bent neon and hand-lettered boats to those venturing into new technologies — we want to get their stories out for everyone to hear. Come join us and listen to stories, learn tricks or techniques, and get insights of what’s to come. We are the world’s second oldest profession. The folks who started the world’s oldest profession needed a sign.