Olympic Games

Dotdash has made a significant impact on the global visual communication design landscape, creating wayfinding systems and field of play overlays for three Summer Olympic Games and one Winter Olympic Games. The 2000 Sydney Olympics marked the beginning of Dotdash’s enduring relationship with the Games. Since then, the studio has consulted with the organising committees for the Olympic Games in Athens, Beijing, and Sochi, and served as knowledge management advisors to the International Olympic Committee and LOCOG venue teams for London 2012.

Wayfinding overview at 2000 Sydney Olympics

Sydney 2000


Dotdash adopted a fresh and broad approach for the Sydney 2000 Games creating a new vision for Games wayfinding that would include a ‘kit of parts’ system for public wayfinding and field of play venues. Dotdash developed wayfinding strategies and designed signage to be applied across 2 common pubic domains, 35 competition venues, 8 major non-competition venues, 42 training venues, 50 minor non-comps and 4 interstate football cities.

Directional wayfinding signage and brand identity at 2000 Sydney Olympics
Identification signage at 2000 Sydney Olympics
Map design at 2000 Sydney Olympics

Athens 2004


Dotdash developed a flexible and scalable wayfinding system that was integrated into the broader city wide transportation plan for the games, ensuring efficient large-scale movement for both the Olympic community and the general public. The ‘kit of parts’ system extended across Athen’s urban and green spaces, connecting 14 venues and the iconic Olympic Stadium. The wayfinding structures were sustainably dismantled and recycled after the Games.

Directional wayfinding at 2004 Athens Olympics
Arrival signage at 2004 Athens Olympics
Yellow signage on architectural bridge at 2004 Athens Olympics

Beijing 2008


Dotdash developed a public wayfinding and visitor overlay system that was applied to a range of destinations including 23 sports competition venues, 51 non-competition venues, 4 training complexes as well as various civic spaces including the expansive Beijing Olympic Green precinct. Strategic advice and guidance were provided to BOCOG’s in-house design and venue management teams to ensure the delivery within an accelerated programme.

Map signage at 2008 Beijing Olympics
Directional wayfinding at 2008 Beijing Olympics
Wayfinding at 2008 Beijing Olympics

Image credits: Dotdash, © 2004 Archive Markus Osterwalder, Switzerland