‘M’ for Montreal

Georges Huel’s 1972 symbol for the Games of the XXI Olympiad.

The first ever Summer Olympics to take place in Canada, the Games of the XXI Olympiad, were held from July 17 to August 1, 1976 in Montreal. As a historic event for the Quebecois city, many people sent designs for the games’ emblem to mayor Jean Drapeau from across the world. Rather than hold an open competition, in 1972 Drapeau awarded the job to long-time friend and designer Georges Huel. The French Canadian designer – then 43 at the time – was a graduate of the Graphic Art School in Montreal and had spent most of his working life in Montreal.

Continue reading to discover the ideas that are embodied within Huel’s symbol and the principle values that united him and his design team and underpinned the Montreal 1976 design programme.