THE CHALLENGE

The Visa Paris 2024 Challenge aimed to deepen cardholder engagement with the Olympic and Paralympic Games by rewarding Visa transactions made through Google Pay with exclusive digital mascots. Available to users in over 40 countries, the program incentivized adding Visa cards to Google Wallet and completing qualifying purchases to unlock six unique animated mascots based on the Phryges, the official 2024 Olympic mascot inspired by the Phrygian cap. The design challenge: create collectible assets that felt rewarding, on-brand with Olympic spirit, and compelling enough to drive repeat engagement.

STRATEGIC APPRAOCH

The visual approach centered on variety and personality. Each of the six Phryges illustrations needed distinct sport while maintaining cohesion as a collectible set. The designs balanced playfulness with the prestige of Olympic branding, ensuring each unlock felt like an achievement rather than a generic reward.