Zhang took Kabaddi as an example to explain the difficulty in the design.

"As a multiplayer competitive sport, it's very difficult to display Kabaddi through a minimalist and abstract pose on a sports icon," he says.

"Others, such as finding the most classic movements in gymnastics, choosing whether weightlifting should be represented by a snatch or clean lift, and if swimming should be depicted on the surface or underwater ... required the approval of each sport's respective association," Zhang explains.

Though the process was challenging, all the efforts were worthwhile. "This is a great honor for us as designers," Zhang says.

Working in Artinno Town provides more opportunities for Zhang's team, as well as other creative groups, to get together.

"We now have many projects on which we collaborate with different teams and enterprises, including sharing ideas with them," he says.

Wu Haiyan, a pioneer of design in China and a retired faculty member of the China Academy of Art, led the design of hostesses' uniforms.