Melbourne Sports Museum Critiques

Olympic Logo, Mexico City 1968
Designed by Lance Wyman

(Logo & Application)

The logo for the 1968 Mexico Olympics, designed by Lance Wyman shows strong use of interchanging lines to create an extremely dynamic layout, similar to that of an optical illusion. The lines create a continual sense of movement around the page, drawing your eye back to the centre. While the line work is simple, Wyman’s use of repetition creates complexity within the design. The straight lines of the X and I break the circular motion of the design, however the X in particular acts as an arrow to lure the viewer’s attention back to the centre. His use of white space creates a focal point, as does his minimal use of colour. The repetition of the black lines creates a jarring effect, making it hard for the eye to focus on the design. This effect draws inspiration from ‘Op Art’ (Optical Art), a style that manipulates the eye to see “movement, hidden images, flashing and vibration, patterns, swelling or warping.”* The design also shows a strong Mesoamerican influence, inspired by the symbols of such ancient South American cultures as the Aztecs and Mayans and traditional Mexican Huichol art.



Personally I believe the logo is extremely effective. While in some respects the word ‘Mexico’ is slightly hard to read, this forces the viewer to look more closely at the design. The way in which Wyman has chosen to use colour sparingly to draw attention to the Olympic Rings promotes the fact that the logo not only represents Mexico but the games themselves. The circular motion created by the lines ensures the viewers attention is retained as they are continually drawn back to the word ‘Mexico’. As the focal point of the design, Wyman ensures that the logo communicates to its audience, the main objective of any successful logo.



The success of this logo can also be seen through its application to a wide variety of mediums, from postage stamps to wall murals. The striking line work serves as an excellent point of interest when applied to promotional material such as clothing and balloons. The flexibility of the lines can be seen through their ability to appear at postage stamp size, or on a much larger scale such as the stadium roof. The way in which these lines radiate outwards was used to portray the idea that Mexico is “an emitting or expanding centre”^, while also creating an extremely modern and dynamic style.

Wyman’s logo was a triumph in terms of its ability to become the face of Mexico during the Olympics. Not only does it represent the culture but it arrests the viewer through its ‘Op Art’ style and dynamic use of line. Its minimal use of colour also acts as an advertisement for the Olympics themselves, while Wyman’s use of white space ensures that ‘Mexico” is the focal point.

*quote - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op_art
^quote - http://olympic-museum.de/design/lancewyman/wyman.htm


http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2007/june/2012-logo-lance-wyman-says-give-it-a-chance
http://www.logodesignworks.com/blog/top-10-olympics-logos
http://olympic-museum.de/design/lancewyman/wyman.htm
http://art.webesteem.pl/9/wyman_en.php
www.lancewyman.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op_art