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CAMPAIGN

World Athletics Championships

World Athletics
Championships

BUDAPEST 2023

BUDAPEST 2023

When we were entrusted with the illustration and visual branding for
the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, we knew we were
about to embark on an extraordinary journey. It was both a tremendous honor and an
exhilarating challenge - an opportunity to shape the visual identity of a world-class
event that would be seen by millions. 
This ambitious project spanned 18 months and
demanded a balance of artistic vision, historical inspiration, and sporting precision.
We wanted to create something truly iconic, bold, and unforgettable.

When we were entrusted with the illustration and visual branding for
the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, we knew we were
about to embark on an extraordinary journey. It was both a tremendous honor and an
exhilarating challenge - an opportunity to shape the visual identity of a world-class
event that would be seen by millions. 
This ambitious project spanned 18 months and
demanded a balance of artistic vision, historical inspiration, and sporting precision.
We wanted to create something truly iconic, bold, and unforgettable.

When we were entrusted with the illustration and visual branding for
the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, we knew we were
about to embark on an extraordinary journey. It was both a tremendous honor and an
exhilarating challenge - an opportunity to shape the visual identity of a world-class
event that would be seen by millions. This ambitious project spanned 18 months and
demanded a balance of artistic vision, historical inspiration, and sporting precision.
We wanted to create something truly iconic, bold, and unforgettable.

When we were entrusted with the illustration and visual branding for the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, we knew we were about to embark on an extraordinary journey. It was both a tremendous honor and an exhilarating challenge - an opportunity to shape the visual identity of a world-class event that would be seen by millions. This ambitious project spanned 18 months and
demanded a balance of artistic vision, historical inspiration, and sporting precision. We wanted to create something truly iconic, bold, and unforgettable.

When we were entrusted with the illustration and visual branding for the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, we knew we were about to embark on an extraordinary journey. It was both a tremendous honor and an exhilarating challenge - an opportunity to shape the visual identity of a world-class event that would be seen by millions. This ambitious project spanned 18 months and demanded a balance of artistic vision, historical inspiration, and sporting precision. We wanted to create something truly iconic, bold, and unforgettable.

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Our Creative Vision

Our Creative Vision

Our Creative Vision

Athletes are real-life superheroes - faster, stronger, and more powerful than ordinary humans.
Their abilities defy limits, and we wanted to capture that superhuman effort in our visuals.

Inspired by 1930s Art Deco posters, we used bold compositions, dramatic angles, and striking energy
to emphasize their explosive strength and precision. Every pose was carefully chosen to highlight
the defining moment of each discipline - the instant a sprinter explodes off the blocks, a jumper soars mid-air,
or a thrower unleashes their full power. Through dynamic lighting, perspective, and anatomy, we portrayed
athletes as larger-than-life figures, celebrating their heroic struggle, resilience, and triumph in a way
that felt epic and unforgettable.

Athletes are real-life superheroes - faster, stronger, and more powerful than ordinary humans.
Their abilities defy limits, and we wanted to capture that superhuman effort in our visuals.

Inspired by 1930s Art Deco posters, we used bold compositions, dramatic angles, and striking energy
to emphasize their explosive strength and precision. Every pose was carefully chosen to highlight
the defining moment of each discipline - the instant a sprinter explodes off the blocks, a jumper soars mid-air,
or a thrower unleashes their full power. Through dynamic lighting, perspective, and anatomy, we portrayed
athletes as larger-than-life figures, celebrating their heroic struggle, resilience, and triumph in a way
that felt epic and unforgettable.

Athletes are real-life superheroes - faster, stronger, and more powerful than ordinary
humans. 
Their abilities defy limits, and we wanted to capture that superhuman
effort in our visuals.

Inspired by 1930s Art Deco posters, we used bold compositions, dramatic angles, and striking
energy 
to emphasize their explosive strength and precision. Every pose was carefully
chosen to highlight 
the defining moment of each discipline - the instant a sprinter explodes
off the blocks, a jumper soars mid-air, 
or a thrower unleashes their full power. Through dynamic lighting, perspective, and anatomy, we portrayed athletes as larger-than-life figures,
celebrating their heroic struggle, resilience, and triumph in a way

that felt epic and unforgettable.

Athletes are real-life superheroes - faster, stronger, and more powerful than ordinary humans.Their abilities defy limits, and we wanted to capture that superhuman effort in our visuals.

Inspired by 1930s Art Deco posters, we used bold compositions, dramatic angles, and striking energy to emphasize their explosive strength and precision. Every pose was carefully chosen to highlight the defining moment of each discipline - the instant a sprinter explodes off the blocks, a jumper soars mid-air, or a thrower unleashes their full power. Through dynamic lighting, perspective, and anatomy, we portrayed athletes as larger-than-life figures, celebrating their heroic struggle, resilience, and triumph in a way
that felt epic and unforgettable.

Athletes are real-life superheroes - faster, stronger, and more powerful than ordinary humans. Their abilities defy limits, and we wanted to capture that superhuman effort in our visuals.

Inspired by 1930s Art Deco posters, we used bold compositions, dramatic angles, and striking energy to emphasize their explosive strength and precision. Every pose was carefully chosen to highlight the defining moment of each discipline - the instant
a sprinter explodes off the blocks, a jumper soars mid-air, 
or a thrower unleashes their full power. Through dynamic lighting, perspective, and anatomy, we portrayed
athletes as larger-than-life figures, celebrating their heroic struggle, resilience, and triumph in a way that felt epic and unforgettable.

Explorations

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Face Look & Expression

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Illustrating the Spirit of Athletics

One of the most exciting challenges was illustrating every athletics discipline while maintaining both visual
impact and sporting accuracy. Each artwork had to highlight 
the key climax moment - the instant that best
defines the essence of the sport - while ensuring the movements and postures were precise and authentic.

Our illustrations covered both men’s and women’s events, featuring the full spectrum of track and
field disciplines, including:


Running events (sprints, middle & long-distance, hurdles, steeplechase, relays)
Race walking & marathon
Jumps (high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault)
Throws (shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw)
Multi-events (decathlon, heptathlon)

One of the most exciting challenges was illustrating every athletics discipline while maintaining both visual
impact and sporting accuracy. Each artwork had to highlight the key climax moment - the instant that best
defines the essence of the sport - while ensuring the movements and postures were precise and authentic.
Our illustrations covered both men’s and women’s events, featuring the full spectrum of track and
field disciplines, including:

Running events (sprints, middle & long-distance, hurdles, steeplechase, relays)
Race walking & marathon
Jumps (high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault)
Throws (shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw)
Multi-events (decathlon, heptathlon)

One of the most exciting challenges was illustrating every athletics discipline while maintaining both visual
impact and sporting accuracy. Each artwork had to highlight the key climax moment - the instant that best
defines the essence of the sport - while ensuring the movements and postures were precise and authentic.
Our illustrations covered both men’s and women’s events, featuring the full spectrum of track and
field disciplines, including:

Running events (sprints, middle & long-distance, hurdles, steeplechase, relays)
Race walking & marathon
Jumps (high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault)
Throws (shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw)
Multi-events (decathlon, heptathlon)

One of the most exciting challenges was illustrating every athletics discipline while maintaining both visual impact and sporting accuracy. Each artwork had to highlight the key climax moment - the instant that best defines the essence of
the sport - while ensuring the movements and postures were precise and authentic.

Our illustrations covered both men’s and women’s events, featuring the full spectrum of track and field disciplines, including:

Running events (sprints, middle & long-distance, hurdles, steeplechase, relays)
Race walking & marathon
Jumps (high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault)
Throws (shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw)
Multi-events (decathlon, heptathlon)

One of the most exciting challenges was illustrating every athletics discipline while maintaining both visual impact and sporting accuracy. Each artwork had to highlight  the key climax moment - the instant that best defines the essence of the sport - while ensuring the movements and postures were precise and authentic. Our illustrations covered both men’s and women’s events, featuring the full spectrum of track and
field disciplines, including:

Running events (sprints, middle & long-distance, hurdles, steeplechase, relays)
Race walking & marathon
Jumps (high jump, long jump,
triple jump, pole vault)

Throws (shot put, discus, javelin,
hammer throw)

Multi-events (decathlon, heptathlon)

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From Concept to Reality

Seeing our designs come to life on a global stage was an experience like no other. 
From stadium banners and event signage to digital campaigns and merchandise, our visuals became
an integral part of the atmosphere and identity of the Championships.​​​​​​​

Seeing our designs come to life on a global stage was an experience like no other. 
From stadium banners and event signage to digital campaigns and merchandise, our visuals became
an integral part of the atmosphere and identity of the Championships.​​​​​​​

Seeing our designs come to life on a global stage was an experience like no other. 
From stadium banners and event signage to digital campaigns and merchandise, our visuals became an integral part of the atmosphere and identity of the Championships.​​​​​​​

Seeing our designs come to life on a global stage was an experience like no other.  From stadium banners and event signage to digital campaigns and merchandise, our visuals became an integral
part of the atmosphere and identity of the Championships.​​​​​​​

Seeing our designs come to life on a global stage was an experience like no other. From stadium banners and event signage to digital campaigns and merchandise, our visuals became an integral part of the atmosphere and identity of the Championships.​​​​​​​

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This project was a testament to the power of illustration in capturing the essence of sport, movement,
and emotion. It was a rare opportunity to merge art, storytelling, and athletic excellence - and to witness
our work celebrate the world’s greatest athletes in one of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet.

This project was a testament to the power of illustration in capturing the essence of sport, movement,
and emotion. It was a rare opportunity to merge art, storytelling, and athletic excellence -
and to witness 
our work celebrate the world’s greatest athletes in one of the most prestigious
sporting events on the planet.

This project was a testament to the power of illustration in capturing the essence of sport, movement, and emotion. It was a rare opportunity to merge art, storytelling, and athletic excellence - and to witness our work celebrate the world’s greatest athletes in one
of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet.

This project was a testament to the power of illustration in capturing the essence of sport, movement, and emotion. It was a rare opportunity to merge art, storytelling, and athletic excellence - and to witness our work celebrate the world’s greatest athletes in one of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet.

This project was a testament to the power of illustration in capturing the essence of sport, movement, and emotion. It was a rare opportunity to merge art, storytelling, and athletic excellence - and to witness
our work celebrate the world’s greatest athletes in one of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet.

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CREDITS

Production House
Airplan Studio

Creative Director
Benjamin Kalaszi

Creative Producer
Donat Aron Ertsey


Illustration
Levente Szabo, Benjamin Kalaszi

Production House
Airplan

Creative Director
Benjamin Kalaszi

Creative Producer
Donat Aron Ertsey


Illustration
Levente Szabo, Benjamin Kalaszi




Animations
Benjamin Kalaszi, Gabor Filkor

Agency
Budapest 2023 Nonprofit Zrt, Lounge

Photo
Geza Soos




Animations
Benjamin Kalaszi, Gabor Filkor


Agency
Budapest 2023 Nonprofit Zrt, Lounge

Photo
Geza Soos




Marketing & Communication Director
Ivan Rozsa

Agency Creative Director
Adam Szecsenyi


Account Manager
Miklos Kantuly

 

Marketing & Communication Director
Ivan Rozsa

Agency Creative Director
Adam Szecsenyi


Account Manager
Miklos Kantuly

 


 

 

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Copyright © Airplan 2023

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