Sun and snow

Kazumasa Nagai's 1966 symbol for the Sapporo Winter Olympic Games, 1972.

Japan was asked to host the Sapporo Winter Olympic Games in 1972 due in large part to the high international praise that the Tokyo Olympic Games received, of which it’s breakthrough visual identity had played a significant role in impressing local and international visitors.

In order to deliver an equally impressive Winter Olympics, nine dedicated committees were set-up within the Organizing Committee. The Design Committee, a ten-member panel chaired by Masaru Katzumie, which would deliberate and shape the policy for all design-related activities, was established in 1966 and got quickly to work on sourcing concepts and deciding on a symbol.

Continue scrolling to see some of the concepts submitted. Understand the relationship between the symbol of Tokyo ‘64 and Sapporo ‘72. And learn about the considerations that shaped the final design and colour palette.