Symbols of the Tokyo Olympics

Taiyo Hasegawa

Visual Systems,
Building Blocks & Narrative

This was a project for my Visual Systems Class and we were asked us to explore scale, proportion, rhythm, and meaning through designing a 2D set of symbols and then applying that symbol set to a 3D storytelling device.

The first step is to decide on a theme. We had to choose from the current news. Because I went to college in Tokyo I chose was The Tokyo Olympics. Then decide on 8 words that you can associate with the event and create a symbol for each of them. The 8 words that I came up with was: torch, media, Tokyo, medal, peace, sports, international, and summer.

My 3D objects are bamboo fans. With the Olympics taking place in the summer, I thought it would be a good way to cool down, and also it is made of bamboo which reminds me of Japan, so I decided to make bamboo fans.


Bamboo Fans
Spring 2020
14.5 x 9.5 inches

From the top left, the 8 words are: torch, media, Tokyo, medal, peace, sports, international and summer.