Gymnastics – Munich 1972, Olympic Poster

This striking poster for the 1972 Munich Olympics features a gymnast mid-leap against a vivid blue and green background. Rendered in a high-contrast halftone style, the athlete’s body appears weightless, frozen in a moment of poise and control. The image is minimalist yet dynamic, capturing the essence of movement and focus. Below, the word “München,” the Olympic rings, and the year “1972” are displayed alongside the radiant official emblem of the Games—a stylised sunburst known as the “Bright Sun.”

The 1972 Munich Olympics were carefully designed to project a new image of modern, peaceful Germany, distinct from the militarism of the 1936 Berlin Games. Visual identity played a crucial role: under the direction of Otl Aicher, the organising committee developed a cohesive and progressive design system, with a clean typeface, coded colours, and pictograms that have influenced Olympic graphics ever since. This poster was part of a larger campaign that included sporting disciplines individually represented with clarity and optimism. Notably, the Munich Games are remembered both for their design achievements and the tragedy of the terrorist attack that disrupted them.

Otl Aicher (1922–1991), the mastermind behind this poster series, was one of the most influential graphic designers of the 20th century. A member of the White Rose resistance during WWII and later a founder of the Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm, Aicher believed design could be a rational, democratic force. His Munich 1972 identity system introduced the now-iconic pictogram style still in use today. Aicher’s legacy also includes corporate identities for Lufthansa, Braun, and ERCO.