Project Overview

Established in 1984, the Olympic International Committee is a global non-profit organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Their purpose is to inspire human potential everyday, and they envision building a better world through sport, united together on and off fields of play. 

I always get emotional while watching the Olympics, as I watch individuals who have plenty of differences unite over their common love for sport, pursuit of excellence, pride in their country and camaraderie among their teammates and opponents. After the 2024 Paris Olympics, I sought to immerse myself in the visual world of the International Olympic, as well as Paris Olympic branding to produce an inspiring annual report that promotes unity.

Exploration

The process began with familiarizing myself with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by thoroughly reading through their website and conducting a brand audit across multiple platforms. This was paired with identifying their audiences, including Olympic partners, coaches, sports institutions, athletes, and fans.

The focal point of the IOC’s messaging came from a quote by President Thomas Bach: “While the world is facing increasing division and conflict, the Olympic Games seek to bring peaceful unity through sport.”

From ideation to creation

Once the messaging for the report and overall tone were established (hopeful, inspiring, approachable, professional, resilient, and rooted in diverse representation, equality, and unity between people and nations) visual conceptualization began.

Using ideation strategies such as mind mapping, 5x5, creating thumbnails, and brainstorming symbolism from the Olympic Games allowed visual representations of unity to emerge organically.

“One through sport” became the chosen concept due to its emphasis on unity, its strong connection to the vision of the International Olympic Committee, and its alignment with the symbolism of the Olympic rings.

A vision realized:

The IOC approached us seeking a way to showcase their measurable achievements in numbers while also inspiring resilience and promoting peaceful unity through sport.

The result? A bold, emotionally charged annual report and supporting materials that bring the story of athlete unification to life. The curved “O” shape anchors the visual theme, paired with iconic Olympic colours and Paris’ unique branding for select spreads. This design is both distinctive and reflective of that classic Olympic feel.

Deliverables:

• 16-page annual report booklet

• 5x7 postcard

• Wheelchair covers

• Social media posts

• Promotional posters