SVG On Demand: NBC Sports’ David Barton on Developing Graphics for Two Olympics in Six Months

After the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by one year, the eyes of the entire world were watching the Games of the XXXII Olympiad on NBC. Despite attendees not being able to witness the Summer Games in person, many viewers were transported to the city via the colorful and informative on-air graphics that were shown throughout the two-week competition. Without wasting any time, the network needed to regroup and rebound for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in six months.

At the 2022 SVG Sports Graphics Forum, NBC Sports’ Senior Art Director David Barton highlights the inspiration behind the visuals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the challenges of putting the package together, how their work transformed and stayed the same for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and the advice he would share to others if they had to build a concept in a short amount of time.