Swimming – Munich 1972, by Otl Aicher

This striking poster from the 1972 Munich Olympics captures the intensity of a swimming race, with three athletes in mid-stroke surging through the water. The bold use of blue and orange, overlaid with Aicher’s signature halftone technique, creates a sense of motion and energy. The swimmers' dynamic arm movements contrast with the stillness of the pool’s lane markers, reinforcing the competitive nature of the event. 

Swimming was a highlight of the 1972 Olympics, with athletes like Mark Spitz making history by winning seven gold medals—a record at the time. The Munich Games were intended to present a peaceful and progressive image of post-war Germany, in contrast to the militaristic imagery of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. However, the Games were overshadowed by the tragic Munich Massacre, where 11 Israeli athletes and coaches were killed. Despite this, the visual identity of the 1972 Olympics, designed by Aicher, remains one of the most influential in Olympic history.

Otl Aicher (1922–1991) was a pioneering German graphic designer known for his modernist approach and functional design principles. As the lead designer for the Munich Olympics, he developed an innovative system of pictograms that set a new standard for wayfinding and visual communication in global sporting events. His design philosophy emphasized clarity, simplicity, and accessibility, which later influenced corporate branding for companies such as Lufthansa and Braun.