San Francisco and the Olympics

San Francisco was one of the cities bidding to hold the 2012 Olympic Games. 13 Artists were asked to design a poster to show their support for the Olympic bid. Click on the following link to view them.

San Francisco 2012 Olympics posters

These posters have been produced using the same techniques that some of you may have used in the printing workshops.

Discussion 1 – Posters and sports

Which poster do you feel is:

• the most striking
• full of energy
• the most exciting.

Which one makes you think about the Olympics and sports in general and what is it about this poster that makes you think this?

A closer look

Now look at the third image, the one by Min Wang, with the man running on it in a red background.

The advertising slogan used with this image was "The Bridge to the Future".

Discussion 2 – Sports and emotions

The yellow line in the image looks like a suspension bridge, but also like the read-out on a heart monitor. Heart monitors measure the condition of person's heart during exercise. Here is a picture of a heart monitor read-out:

• What emotions are brought out in you when you look at the runner?
• Does the yellow line contribute to this emotion? Why do you think this is?

Discussion 3 – Emotions and colours

Different colours make you think of different feelings. Red sometimes suggests excitement or danger. The red background is there to make you think the runner is working hard.

If the background were pale blue, would it have the same effect and what atmosphere would it create?

Discussion task for all

Here are two images from the "Leap for London" campaign. These images include famous London landmarks.

By having the athletes jump over them, the designers have changed the buildings to make them look like they are part of the event.

Discussion 4 – Your own artwork in the style of an advertising poster

Pick a sport that you are interested in.

Imagine that London is going to host an event for your chosen sport.

Design a poster advertising your sport including:

• landmarks from the city
• people taking part in that sport
• words or a slogan to promote the sport/event.

You may want to:

• use magazine photos of sports people
• download images of the City from the Internet
• make a collage.

Things to think about:

• the poster has to be eye catching
• use exciting and bold colours
• try to come up with a slogan that is catchy and memorable.

Look back at the other images on this page to give you ideas.

Remember to give your work a title. Scan it, or take a digital photo of it, and then upload it onto the discussion board.

Acknowledgment

Special thanks to London 2012.

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