wordmak_The_Branvetica
Work
About
Services
Articles
Contact
hamburger

Paris 2024 Olympics Logo and Sports Pictograms

Deepak Singh Ola

28-07-2024


The Paris Olympic 2024 logo was designed by Royalties, a brand management agency based in Paris, France. The logo was officially launched in 2019. Back then it did not make the headlines as it was unknown to the world. But when people saw it during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 on 26th Jul 2024, the internet got flooded with memes.

According to the official website of the Paris 2024 Olympics,“The logo combines three separate symbols – the gold medal, the flame, and Marianne, the personification of the French Republic. The gold medal is the example set by our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the heroes of the Games. The flame symbolizes the unique energy that drives this mega-event. Marianne is the personification of the bold spirit of creativity that inspires our Games.”

Paris Olympics 2024 logo



First, the general public does not see a design as the designer envisioned it. At a glance, no one can tell that the logo represents Marianne and the Olympic torch. The logo reduces Marianne to a simple outline of hair and lips, making it look more like a logo for a hair salon or beauty parlor. It appears as a woman with a bob cut, which is why it has been compared to Victoria Beckham, Kristen Stewart, Sian Clifford, Rachel Green, and Penelope Redd. Secondly, the flame is too generic and resembles the logo of the popular dating app Tinder. The connection to the gold medal is also weak, as people see the logo as a whole rather than breaking it down into its parts. Overall, the logo is too generic and inappropriate. As designers, we need to remember that our work is not just about what we think looks good. It’s also about how people will understand and connect with our designs. The Paris 2024 logo is a perfect example of this disconnect.

Just like a logo, sports pictograms are a vital part of any global event like the Olympics. They serve as universally recognizable symbols that guide and inform spectators from around the world. Historically, there have been outstanding examples of pictogram design, such as those from the Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and Munich 1972 Olympics.

Vintage olympics sports pictograms



The sports pictograms for the Paris 2024 Olympics are even worse. Unlike traditional designs that show human figures in action, these new symbols are just complicated combinations of sports equipment and elements from competition venues. This makes it really hard to tell which pictogram represents which sport. Without recognizable human shapes, the pictograms lose their energy and become less interesting and harder to understand. As a result, they might confuse spectators who need these visuals to help them enjoy the Olympic experience.

Paris Olympics 2024 sports pictograms



The case of the Paris 2024 Olympic logo and its pictograms teaches us an important lesson about design: clarity and connection matter. While the logo aimed to represent a gold medal, the Olympic flame, and Marianne, many people saw it as just a woman with a bob haircut, leading to confusion and even humor online. Similarly, the pictograms, which lack recognizable human figures, make it difficult for spectators to identify the sports they represent. This disconnect highlights that successful design goes beyond aesthetics; it requires an understanding of how the audience will perceive and relate to the imagery.

At The Branvetica, we specialize in creating trademarks and brand identity designs that avoid these pitfalls. Our designs prioritize clarity, connection, and effective communication to ensure that your brand resonates with its audience. If you want to avoid the design flaws seen in the Paris 2024 Olympics and create logos and symbols that truly connect with people, Contact us. Let's work together to craft designs that are memorable, appropriate, unique, and impactful.