These two plastic stencils - one small and one large - were made to apply the Sydney 2000 trademark to a range of surfaces for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, such as temporary architecture and fields of play. This type of branding was part of the wayfinding (navigational) system that Brisbane company, Dot Dash, developed for the Games. Extensive and consistent, the branding helped to enliven Games venues and to emphasise that Sydney was host of the Olympic and Paralympic competition.

From 1998 onwards, Brisbane company, Dot Dash, worked in concert with the Sydney 2000 Image Department to develop signage complimentary to the Games' Kit of Parts - the formal set of colours, motifs, typefaces and other visual elements that would brand the Games. These characteristics, and most notably the use of Sydney yellow, Sydney aqua and the Helvetica typeface, would tie the wayfinding devices to the Games' broader visual theme.

Experienced in developing wayfinding devices, Dot Dash adopted a fresh and broad approach for the Sydney 2000 Games. Its new vision would include standard maps, banners and signage as well as some atypical tools that would help to guide spectators at the Games. These would include media backdrops and graphics for the fields of play, sports equipment and the 30 major entry towers (9-metre, timber structures that resembled lifesavers' chairs and served as entrances, watchtowers, signposts, information bases and night-time beacons).

By September 2000, Dot Dash had created 47,000 signs, 9,000 banners, 4,500 flags, 19,500 metres of corral and fascia treatments, 4,500 square-metres of ground graphics, 44,000 metres of fence fabric, 2,000 square metres of printed decals, 50 media backdrops, 30 major entry towers, 300 sports equipment treatments and around 200 custom-built installations. More broadly, it had developed wayfinding strategies; designed signage and banners (both for competition and non-competition venues); and had drafted maps of venues and key sites around Sydney. These tools would contribute to a uniform image of Sydney and the Olympic Games, and would help to guide athletes, spectators, staff, volunteers and residents through Sydney.

The Sydney 2000 trademark, including the stylised figure, 'Millennium Man', was designed by Sydney company, FHA Image Design. This motif was central to the branding package, or kit of parts, that created a unified image for the Games.

These two stencils were made from thin sheets of plastic with the Sydney 2000 trademark incised in middle.

These two plastic stencils - one small and one large - were made to apply the Sydney 2000 trademark to a range of surfaces for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, such as temporary architecture and fields of play. This type of branding was part of the wayfinding (navigational) system that Brisbane company, Dot Dash, developed for the Games.

Made for and owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after use in the Games.

Stencils (2), 'Sydney 2000' trademark, plastic, Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, designed by Dot Dash, Brisbane c.1999, used by Image Department.

Stencils, plastic, one large and one small. The 'Sydney 2000' trademark has been cut out of the surface of the plastic creating a stencil to apply the 'Sydney 2000' trademark to various surfaces.

Made: 2000

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