Keith Bright and Associates gave a detailed presentation to the review committee on the development of their new pictograms. According to the official report, those responsible defined six criteria based on the critical appraisal of the pictograms of the five previous Olympic Games, which were regarded as central for a successful pictogram:
With initial sketches, Keith Bright and Associates had, as a first step, investigated which type of depiction was most suitable for their pictograms: partial figures, realistic depictions of figures or figures combined with speed lines. Bright came to the conclusion that both partial figures and realistic figures were difficult to understand; lines of movement, on the other hand, seemed too hectic and would severely limit readability. In his opinion, a simple figure consisting of ten parts worked well: a circle for the head, an oval for the torso and eight simple parts for the arms and legs. If such a figure was placed on a grid, it could be recreated at any desired position. This made it possible to present all Olympic events effectively and simply. These new pictograms meet the defined criteria. They are easy to recognise from a distance and, thanks to the above considerations, convey their message clearly and comprehensibly. Furthermore, the system proved to be practical and flexible, even reproductions in positive or negative forms with or without margins were possible without any problems. The design is unmistakable: stylised human figures were created with clear, geometric forms that were simple and without fashionable frippery.
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