Designed by Masaaki Hiromura, the icons are based on the designs from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where pictograms first made their debut. They’ve since been used on venue maps, buildings ...

Pictograms are part of the identity of each ... but the main novelty has to do with some customization in the brand identity for each venue. For example, the Stade de France, home of athletics ...

were introduced as a way to help bridge the language barrier and easily identify sports and venues. Pictograms have been a mainstay ever since, and they were back in a big way as the world watched ...

and the Frame Type pictograms will be used for more functional purposes on maps, signage at competition venues, in guidebooks, and on websites. The fencing pictogram will be used on posters and ...

“The pictograms, from now until 2016, will serve as a communication platform for the promotion of the sports, for partner activations, and will be present in all the Games’ visual identity, including ...

at the opening of the Toni-Seelos ski jump venue in Seefeld. In a statement, Games organizers said "The angular form of the figures contributes to the uniqueness and vitality of the pictograms.

"And we want to give a beautiful showcase for the Games, in iconic venues, with innovative visual identity. "Pictograms are much more than a single image, they are something that rallies athletes ...