286: Olympic Design Joy with Paul Twa
- Diana Varma
- Feb 17
- 2 min read
Happy Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina 2026!
I’m here with Paul Twa, four years after he and I originally spoke about the games in Beijing in Episode 095: Olympic Design Systems with Paul Twa. He’s back, he’s full of insights, and just a wonderful, passionate resource about Olympic design joy!
Paul Twa is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Toronto. Born and raised in Edmonton, Paul graduated from the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Design program. After time spent working at agencies and studios in both cities, Paul began his independent design practice; driven by a desire to create visually distinct, thoroughly studied, and intricately crafted work for clients. He also teaches illustration to design students at the George Brown School of Design.
In this conversation, we talk all things design systems at Milano Cortina 2026. Paul shares the importance of human gesture, energy, and motion to this system, the unique public vote that took place for the games’ emblem, as well as AI use and its implications.
Paul helps us understand what works beautifully and what works less beautifully in this system, as he helps us understand the understory of “the look of the games”.
This podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Olympic Committee.
Get ready to put your design goggles on and let’s listen in…
NOTABLE Links:
Official info on the Look of the Games and the Pictograms: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/brand/look-of-the-games
The Look of the Games: https://www.theolympicdesign.com/olympic-games/the-look-of-the-games/milano-cortina-2026/
Emblem announcement and Public Vote: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/milano-cortina-2026-winter-olympic-games-emblem-revealed
Alternative emblem "Logo Dado" animated concept video: https://video.corriere.it/milano/olimpiadi-milano-cortina-2026-logo-dado/7007d1d6-8cc5-11eb-9a35-ae00f9335e99
Olympic Mascot Finalists: https://www.paralympic.org/news/milano-cortina-2026-unveils-finalists-mascots-designs-submitted-school-students
Info on Tina and Milo: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/brand/mascots
Cauldron Design: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/the-design-of-the-two-milano-cortina-2026-cauldrons-has-been-unveiled
The medal design: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/brand/medals
Milano Cortina Look of the Games: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/brand#sub-brands
The great sport explainer animations (perfect for kids!): https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/sports/freestyle-skiing
Video explaining the AI use in these Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUwjOlCeOXE
About Our Guest:
Paul Twa is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Toronto. Born and raised in Edmonton, Paul graduated from the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Design program. After time spent working at agencies and studios in both cities, Paul began his independent design practice; driven by a desire to create visually distinct, thoroughly studied, and intricately crafted work for clients. He also teaches illustration to design students at the George Brown School of Design.
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Music: Legends by HoliznaCC0 is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.
Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music: Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle
Skier Image: Photo by Nicolai Berntsen on Unsplash
