Getting around the Games

The organisers wanted the 2012 Olympic Games to be memorable for all the right reasons. The challenging logistics of moving so many visitors around the capital and the country was not something the ODA took lightly. They asked us to create tools to help the Games Makers and transport companies help spectators get to and from venues, quickly and safely. Durability was important – it needed to stand up to a few weeks of heavy use, in the British weather, and also needed to be handy, as well as look good, as potentially millions would see it in use. The brief also asked for a digital solution for tablet and mobile users.

Looking good, working well

Our approach was to study potential transport routes to and from each venue, building a dossier of useful facts for visitors, including routes on to all other venues for spectators with multiple tickets. As well as being very practical, we ensured the handbook looked good too, making the most of the newly developed 2012 Games Times look and feel. Information design was clear and intuitive, as users needed to get used to finding large amounts of information quickly. The final tools included a printed handbook and interactive pdf for use on mobile devices.

Smooth running

This was a large-scale project with nearly 100,000 handbooks in circulation across the country. Carried by all Games Makers around all venues, as well as staff in ticket offices, cabbies and visitor information points and the handbook was the go-to source of transport information throughout the Olympics and Paralympics. The Games were a real achievement for the British transport staff, running very smoothly and with minimal disruption to residents across the country, and we’re proud to know that the Handbook contributed to that.