Archery – Munich Olympics | 1972

Archery – Munich 1972, by Otl Aicher

This poster, designed by Otl Aicher for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, features a stylized depiction of an archer in mid-action. The composition employs a vibrant palette dominated by greens and yellows, with the athlete's form rendered in bold, abstract shapes.

The 1972 Munich Olympics marked the return of archery to the Games after a 52-year absence. To promote this event, Aicher's team selected local archer Irene Lehner as the face of the sport. A photograph of Lehner, taken during a training session, served as the basis for the poster's imagery. Lehner, a member of the Munich Archery Club, was training for an international match against Czechoslovakia when the photograph was taken. Although she did not compete in the Olympics, her image became iconic in representing the sport during the Games. 

Otl Aicher (1922–1991) was a renowned German graphic designer and typographer, celebrated for his influential work in visual communication. As the lead designer for the 1972 Munich Olympics, Aicher developed a comprehensive visual identity that included a cohesive set of pictograms representing each sport, aiming for clarity and universal accessibility. His innovative approach set new standards for event branding and information design. Beyond the Olympics, Aicher co-founded the Ulm School of Design and contributed to corporate identities for companies such as Lufthansa and Braun.