Why isn't there a marathon pictogram? Designer Seo Samjong who developed a signature dedicated to Seo Yoon Bok

Jan 10, 2025

After graduating from Seoul National University of the Arts' Visual Design Department, Seo Sam-jong entered the path of a full-fledged artist (Western painting) in 2024 based on his 30 years of experience as a designer at a large company.

'The finale of all sports events, including the Olympics, is decorated with marathons. But why isn't there a pictogram that symbolizes marathon?'

The question of Seo Sam-jong gave birth to the signature of marathon hero Seo Yoon-bok. Seo won the Boston Marathon in 1947 and became the first player to promote Korea to the world after liberation.

Seo's 『Seo Yoon-bok Signature" is being branded these days through various visual objects such as events, souvenirs, and products of the Seo Yoon-bok Commemoration Project.

I met Seo and heard the story behind "Signature".

Since there are many track and field events, it seems that pictograms have been unified to avoid confusion between events and to ensure equity in all events. But among many sports, is there a marathon that tests human limits like a novel?

Seo Yoon-bok scores a world record of 2:25:39 at the Boston Marathon on April 19, 1947.

"No, it's just a marathon!," the writer concluded. And in earnest, he set out to make the marathon into a pictogram as a symbol.

"The first thing that came to mind was the athlete crossing the finish line of the marathon amid joy and cheers. When I created Seo Yoon-bok's signature and combined Seo's image with the marathon event for the first time, I decided that it would be a signature dedicated to the marathon hero."

Writer Seo said, `I watched the video of Seo Yoon-bok crossing the finish line dozens of times,' `Even when I turned off the screen and closed my eyes, I kept thinking of the player goal in my head.' "Seo Yoon-bok Signature" was born in such a hard work by the artist.

Developed by a triad writer "Seo Yun-bok signature" intaglio and relief. Seo's 1947 Boston Marathon goal scene was embodied through pictogram work.

It was simplified to a line of 3 strokes and graphicalized as an image such as a projectile. The color is reminiscent of Seo Yoon-bok, a 24-year-old young man relaxing in the shade of an orange tree while training on the streets of Boston, the U.S., and dark orange color that symbolizes passion and passion."

Seo hoped that Seo Yoon-bok's spirit, which made Korea known around the world for the first time after liberation, would be widely known to the public as his "signature" was used throughout the Seo Yoon-bok commemorative project.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.

Why isn't there a marathon pictogram? Designer Seo Samjong who developed a signature dedicated to Seo Yoon Bok

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