Interview about Poznan Marathon Medal Presentation, winner of the A' Movie, Video and Animation Design Award 2020
The idea of the medal animation was the 20th anniversary of the Poznań Marathon. The small elements and particles that make up the medal symbolize each year of the marathon and each runner. The medal's lanyard is printed with historical photos from all Poznan marathon editions arranged in chronological order and has a quote "I left footprint in Poznan". The reverse of the medal is dedicated to Maciej Frankiewicz, the president of the City of Poznan, who is the creator and patron of the Poznan Marathon.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe creative journey behind the visualization for the 20th anniversary of the Poznań Marathon started with the idea of honoring not only the history of the event but also the energy of the runners and the creator of the marathon, Maciej Frankiewicz. His vision of creating this unique event became deeply embedded in the city's identity, and I wanted to pay tribute both to the event itself and the person who initiated its success. The marathon symbolizes endurance, movement, and determination, and I wanted to translate these concepts into a design that would be dynamic, modern, engaging, and respectful of what Maciej Frankiewicz had built.The key inspiration for this project was the concept of particles, which were meant to symbolize individual runners while simultaneously forming one powerful whole. These particles were designed to demonstrate how each participant in the marathon contributes their part to the collective energy, which is the essence of the event. The idea of using particle animation became a tribute to the vision of Maciej Frankiewicz, whose passion united many people in this extraordinary endeavor.I wanted the design to capture not only the dynamism of the marathon but also pay tribute to the creator, whose dream turned into one of the most important sports events in Poland. The use of particles allowed me to abstractly represent movement and transformation, where small elements, like runners, create a larger, cohesive whole – just as Maciej Frankiewicz’s idea transformed into something that unites people and the community.The creative process was full of experimentation and challenges related to the technical realization of the project. The particles became a tool to show fluidity, energy, and unity resulting from collective effort. Every movement, color, and form aimed to embody the spirit of the marathon and respect the person who started this unforgettable journey – Maciej Frankiewicz.Ultimately, the project became a tribute not only to the marathon itself but also to what Maciej Frankiewicz has created for Poznań and for Poland.
The idea of incorporating historical photographs on the Poznań Marathon Medal Presentation's lanyard was inspired by the desire to connect the present with the past, celebrating not only the marathon itself but also its history and evolution. Each image, printed chronologically, represents a significant moment in the marathon’s history, symbolizing its progress and growth.The inspiration came from the idea of creating a visual narrative that would not only commemorate the achievement of the marathon's 20th edition but also honor the past, the runners, and the people who have contributed to its success. The images were carefully chosen to highlight key moments that have defined the marathon, making the participants feel like they are part of something much larger than just a single race.As for the quote “I left a footprint in Poznań,” it was a deeply personal and symbolic message. It reflects the idea that every runner who participates in the marathon leaves a lasting impact, not just on themselves but also on the city, its community, and its history. It emphasizes the importance of individual contributions to something greater, and how each participant's journey becomes part of the marathon’s legacy.Together, the photographs and the quote create a unique and emotional connection to the marathon’s history and spirit, while also celebrating the runners’ personal achievements and their connection to the city of Poznań. The visual elements work in harmony to remind participants of the shared history, and how each race continues to be a part of the ongoing story of the Poznań Marathon.
To create a visual strategy that could motivate potential runners to register for the Poznań Marathon, I focused on connecting the emotions tied to the marathon with the history of the event. I knew that the medal plays a significant role, not only as a symbol of victory but also as a keepsake that evokes emotions and memories. For this reason, I chose to creatively incorporate historical elements of the marathon on the medal's lanyard, using photos from past editions of the marathon that highlight its development and the positive energy that grows with each year.I wanted participants to feel they were part of something bigger – the history of the Poznań Marathon, which has its own tradition and has gained prestige over the years. At the same time, I aimed for each edition to be uniquely captured with modern elements that add dynamism and freshness to the marathon. This way, participants, upon seeing the medal, would feel proud to be part of this growing community, and the registration process itself took on a personal and emotional dimension.The visual elements, such as the photos, quotes, and history, were intended to evoke positive emotions and reminders of the great moments associated with the race, which encouraged new runners to sign up for the marathon, knowing that they too would become part of this exceptional story.
For the Poznań Marathon, we wanted to blend modernity with tradition, so ensuring cohesion between the 3D animated elements and the final steel and silver medal was crucial. The animation aimed to capture the essence of the event, its dynamics, and history, while the medal represented a tangible, lasting symbol of that experience.In the animation, small elements, such as details from the race, the steps of participants, and moments from the marathon’s history, gradually built the medal. This animation process allowed the medal to be formed in front of the viewer’s eyes, emphasizing the uniqueness of the object. We made sure that the digital forms and movements were synchronized with the physical shape of the medal, which was both elegant and full of symbolism.The medal was designed to subtly yet dynamically capture the spirit of the marathon. Every detail in the medal design, which resulted from this animation, was carefully thought out to harmoniously align with the digital elements, creating a cohesive narrative. Ultimately, the medal served not just as a prize but as a memento from an event filled with history, passion, and emotion.
Approaching the challenge of symbolically representing two decades of Poznań Marathon history through particle animation was a unique challenge, as we needed to find a way to capture this long and eventful history in a clear and understandable manner while maintaining the dynamism and modernity of the animation.We primarily focused on symbols that would reflect the key moments and values of the marathon, such as perseverance, passion, community, and tradition. The particles in the animation were meant to represent not only physical elements of the marathon, like the runners and the finish line, but also the emotions that participants have experienced over these 20 years. The key was ensuring that the animation was detailed enough to convey the richness of the history, yet simple enough not to overwhelm the viewer.To maintain visual clarity, I focused on using subtle particle animations that didn’t overpower the overall design but introduced elements of the history in a smooth and harmonious way. The particles served as a tool to build the structure so that the final image of the medal and its elements were easy to understand and interpret, even for those who hadn't participated in the marathon over its entire 20-year history.
The dedication to Maciej Frankiewicz in the medal animation was a pivotal element that added a deeper, personal dimension to the project. As the Deputy Mayor of Poznań from 1999 to 2009, Maciej Frankiewicz played a significant role in the city's development, particularly in the areas of sports, culture, and education. His passion for running and active participation in marathons was well-known. He also supported sports initiatives, such as organizing the UEFA Euro 2012 football championships in Poznań. In designing the animation, I aimed to capture the spirit of his dedication by incorporating elements related to his sporting passions and contributions to the city's growth. The dedication served as a subtle yet significant highlight, emphasizing his importance to the Poznań community.
Creating the animation for the Poznan Marathon Medal Presentation required a broad range of technical skills and working with various software platforms. We began the process with the concept and then used multiple tools to ensure consistency between the different elements.Houdini, with its advanced particle generation technology, was essential for creating the smooth animation where small elements built up the medal. After Effects provided the fluidity of animation and visual effects, which we integrated with 3D Studio MAX, where we built 3D models and spatial elements. In Photoshop, we performed precise visual editing, adjusting the details for the final visualization.For all these tools to work together, the team had to be in constant dialogue, sharing ideas, and exchanging files in real time. Each team member had their specialization, but we all understood the importance of collaboration and synchronizing work across different platforms. Thanks to this, we were able to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing whole, successfully combining the 3D aspect with the smoothness of the animation.
Given the tight timeline for the Poznan Marathon Medal Presentation, the key challenge was maintaining high quality while meeting the deadline. To achieve this, we developed an innovative workflow approach that allowed us to manage time and tasks efficiently.Firstly, we broke the entire process down into smaller, more organized stages, allowing us to work faster and more accurately in each area. Each stage was assigned to the appropriate specialists on the team, enabling everyone to focus on their task and complete it without delays. Additionally, regular team meetings allowed for constant idea exchange and progress updates, streamlining the process and preventing unnecessary delays.We also leveraged technology to automate certain tasks, significantly speeding up processes such as generating particle effects or rendering in Houdini. This gave us valuable time to finalize details and integrate all elements.We also decided to work concurrently on different components of the project, such as animations and 3D models, which saved time while ensuring the high quality of all final elements.
When designing the Poznan Marathon Medal Presentation, the key goal was to combine two purposes – as both an award and a marketing tool. The medal was meant to honor the participants while also promoting the event. To achieve this, we created a visual identity that blended the prestige and emotions associated with the marathon with elements that would attract new participants. The medal became a symbol of success that runners would proudly wear, while also strengthening the Poznan Marathon brand and promoting the event more widely.The medal was an integral part of the anniversary visual identity, which also included other marketing materials such as posters, banners, the website, and social media campaigns. All these elements worked together, creating a cohesive narrative that engaged participants and helped build a positive image of the marathon.
The success of the Poznan Marathon Medal Presentation demonstrates how an innovative approach to design can revolutionize the way medals are perceived at sports events. The future of medal design at such events will undoubtedly be more personalized and interactive. The use of animation, combining digital and physical forms, could become a standard that helps organizers create more engaging and emotionally charged experiences for participants.I also envision this approach leading to a greater connection between the medal and the history and local context of the event. Medals will no longer be just simple rewards, but rather stories about the culture, people, and emotions tied to the event. Using technologies such as animation or augmented reality (AR) will allow for the creation of unique, personalized experiences that will last longer than just the race day itself.
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