After choosing the location, I created a mind map that helped me make connections between different aspects such as location, wayfinding, disabilities, representation and attendees. Starting with umbrella terms, I generated more specific words/ideas to think about this project in new ways. This helped me produce important questions that would direct my research. I also made an image survey that centers around disabled athletes and how to visualize them through different perspectives.

I began to find inspiration from Lance Wyman’s book, The Monograph, to visualize the range in which an identity can reach into areas such as icon design and wayfinding to create a cohesive family of applications and elements. I used Yusaku Kamekura as a resource and was inspired by his powerful abstract logos that focus on the line. Otl Aicher designed pictograms for the 1972 Munich Olympics and I was able to understand and apply a similar process as far as using a grid structure and having a kit of parts for spacing and sizing of icon elements.

I spoke with three professionals to gain insight into my topic and applications. The first person I spoke with was inspiring British para-athlete Stephen Miller. He helped me get perspective from someone who has been to these events and has experienced unique obstacles that would help me make certain decisions later on. The second person I met with was Nico Raddatz. He has worked on a number of wayfinding projects and environmental design in general, so I picked his brain on topics such as international audiences, adapting to disabilities and other ways of bringing my identity into the space that didn't include putting my logo on something. I used graphic designer John Rappanotti.  I noticed that he has done a lot of icon work and wanted his opinions on my pictograms before I began making my final round of them. All three consultations helped me feel more equipped to take on this thesis project.

After Settling on my final logo design, I moved on to make sketches for different applications within this project such as pictograms, wayfinding and medal design.

Through working on this project, I have learned the importance of research in the design process. In order to get the perspective of the end user, I needed to learn all I could about who they are, what their obstacles are and what gets them excited. I now have an understanding that disability is just another subset of demographics like gender, race and language that should always be considered in design. The most difficult aspect of my thesis project has been its scope. I challenged myself to create an identity system that is extensive with a wide range of applications and with the right time management and organization I’ve been able to create a system that is cohesive, accessible and informative.