
Winter Olympics Sapporo Japan
Proposal Presentation
Roles: Researcher, Graphic Designer, and Visual Designer
Date / Time: Four Weeks. March 2019 – April 2019
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
The Challenge
This assignment was given to me in my online course at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. As a design sprint, the challenge imposed was to select a country and city for the Winter Olympics in 2022. My selection for Sapporo Japan in the Hokkaido prefecture is a returning spot for the Winter Olympics in Japan.
Discovery & Research Analysis
A heavy part of the research was academic. A common theme for a Winter Olympics presentation is a way to advertise the country and culture. Revisiting Sapporo Japan, the goal for my research was to find ways to link the ancient Ainu of Japan to ancient Olympia.




Ainu Tattoos, Ainu women chanting, Sapporo Japan Symbol, and Ainu embroidery



Goryokaku Castle Plans, Modern Image of the castle as a park, and logo poster design
Concepts & Insights
Unifying diversity
The Ainu of Japan are not represented well or known. Using the Ainu and their culture as the style, the Winter Olympics can make a steps to diversify.
Defining Legacy
Tokyo Japan introduced the usage of minimal pictograms into the Olympics.
Connecting nature
The previous poster and design of the Sapporo Olympics aimed to connect nature and people.
Sketches & Ideation
Concept sketches for logo in aims to incorporate a winter, Japan, and Ainu. Pictogram sketches on the end.
Style Guide
Colors
Fonts
- For Body: Hiragino Sans W3, W5, W7
- Other Page Elements: Meiryo Regular
Designing the Logo
The logo is based off a snowflake and a castle defended by the Ainu before the industrialization of Japan. The created logo is a combination of the following designs, culture, and ideals that hold the Ainu, Japan, and the Olympics together. Making use of the Ainu and Japanese designs maintains a message of unity and progression for the Olympics.
Designing the Pictograms
Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics introduced pictogram symbols into the Olympics. These simple illustrations allowed for quick communication of the sport depicted.
The major anatomy of these pictograms features thin curves and triangles to portray the human form. Hollow items are used for objects to separate man and nature. The color white connects human beings and nature through the work in junction to the Ainu and Shinto beliefs.
The pictograms are stylized with the snow moving from left to right helps signify progress and strength through the pictograms.










Design Deliverables and Mockups depicting flags, shirts, lanyards.
Solution & Impact
With a strong economy the Winter Olympic Games of 2022 can find a home in Sapporo, Japan in Hokkaido. With a strong presence of winter sports since the previous Olympics, a diverse culture, and facilities Sapporo can once again be home to unity and culture for the Winter Olympics. The previous success of the 1972 games can only be a clear indication for the success of the Winter Olympics and a return back to Sapporo, Japan.


Check the presentation out!
See how it looks on Issu