London 2012 Olympic Games
A selection of illustrations from a series commissioned for official programmes
A selection of illustrations from a series commissioned for official programmes
At the end of May this year, I received an email asking me if I might be interested in a commission.
Y’know, just a few illustrations for some programmes.
For the London 2012 Olympic Games.
I worked non-stop from the moment I received the brief in early June through to just a week before the start of the event. There might have even been a week where I barely ventured outside my front door, such was the extent to which I’d chained myself to my desk. Using the colours of the London 2012 branding and incorporating their ‘flexible grid’ (the crossing lines seen in the background on a lot of the Olympics designs) wasn’t easy but I relished the challenge nevertheless. I created sixteen illustrations which were approved by all involved, including LOCOG.
But.
There were some issues with the articles which could not be resolved. Alas, the feature was dropped.
I spent two months working on the artwork and found out on the day of the opening ceremony that they would not be published. It was such a sad conclusion for all involved but I was proud to have even been asked to work on such an exciting job and enjoyed every minute.
© Zara Picken 2012 www.zaraillustrates.com
Y’know, just a few illustrations for some programmes.
For the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Once I’d picked my jaw up off the floor, I corresponded further with the art director and eventually accepted the job. I was asked to create sixteen illustrations altogether - they would be the only original artwork commissioned especially for the official publications. They were to accompany some entertaining and enlightening articles by a high-profile writer about various sports featuring in the Olympics. They would appear on a daily basis throughout the games.
I worked non-stop from the moment I received the brief in early June through to just a week before the start of the event. There might have even been a week where I barely ventured outside my front door, such was the extent to which I’d chained myself to my desk. Using the colours of the London 2012 branding and incorporating their ‘flexible grid’ (the crossing lines seen in the background on a lot of the Olympics designs) wasn’t easy but I relished the challenge nevertheless. I created sixteen illustrations which were approved by all involved, including LOCOG.
But.
There were some issues with the articles which could not be resolved. Alas, the feature was dropped.
I spent two months working on the artwork and found out on the day of the opening ceremony that they would not be published. It was such a sad conclusion for all involved but I was proud to have even been asked to work on such an exciting job and enjoyed every minute.
© Zara Picken 2012 www.zaraillustrates.com
