Design Challenge
Before and After
Short Essay
Bringing the Olympic Spirit to Life in Centennial Olympic Park
When I created this piece, my goal was to blend digital art seamlessly into reality—to make the Olympic rings feel like they truly belonged in the Atlanta skyline. I wanted to capture the spirit of Centennial Olympic Park and enhance its visual appeal using graphic design techniques that give the illusion of a holographic projection.
To achieve this, I relied on a combination of blur effects, blending modes, and careful opacity adjustments. The blur softens the edges of the rings, making them look as if they are glowing in the night sky rather than simply placed over the image. Blending modes helped integrate the colors naturally into the environment, allowing the light to interact with the buildings and the park below. By tweaking the opacity, I ensured the rings felt transparent and ethereal—like a futuristic light display illuminating the city.
This effect wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about storytelling. Centennial Olympic Park is a landmark of unity, history, and inspiration. I wanted the rings to feel like a beacon, drawing people in and reminding them of Atlanta’s Olympic legacy. The surrounding skyline, with its towering buildings and the bright Ferris wheel, already has an inviting energy. My goal was to enhance that—to make people look at this scene and imagine a city that embraces both its past and future.
Designing this piece was a balance between realism and creativity. I didn’t want the rings to overpower the scene, but I also wanted them to feel like a spectacle—something that could genuinely exist in the city one day. This project was a reminder of why I love graphic design: the ability to create something visually striking while evoking emotion and connection.