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NASA
NASA’s Legacy Has Proven To Be Invincible in the Modern Space Age
It's surprising to see NASA in our roster of Best Designs since it's a government organization. Still, no other government institution can be more iconic than them.
NASA logo design is so iconic it was even featured in many films, television shows, comic books and other merchandise. When someone sees a picture of red triangles and white ovals, everyone would think that it’s NASA, even without the name emblazoned on it.
Even Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story series has the NASA logo on his chest to signify his occupation as an astronaut. It also appeared in films such as the Academy Awards winner Gravity with Sandra Bullock.
These appearances, among many others, have raised NASA’s brand awareness and recognition, helping them send the messages they want to preach worldwide.
NASA has always been a part of world history as it bore witness to many astronomical firsts:
- The men on the moon
- Exploring other planets
- Seeing potential life on another planet
The NASA logo also appeared several times on social media when people uploaded their tickets to Mars exploration, where the NASA logo is prominently displayed.
Lastly, some of the best logo design apps have the NASA logo template available for users to recreate, proving how it became an example of the cool logo designs.
Believe it or not, NASA has been a massive part of popular culture, and its logo design is no exception.
The History Behind NASA Logo Design Sparks Deeper Understanding
Back then, people relied on outdated books and century-old research from scholars about what lies beyond the planet Earth.
It was proven inaccurate since some sources are from ancient Greek philosophers and Renaissance astronomers such as Galileo and Copernicus.
Thus, when the United States saw an opportunity to raise awareness of the planets in the solar system, it did so with much aplomb.
The NASA symbol was designed by James Modarelli, an employee of the government’s newly formed space agency.
He wanted to capture the essence of exploration in a single image he created.
It was a red chevron set against a white background that represented the wings of a mythical bird soaring through the sky.
The symbol was meant to represent The United States' mission of exploring space and discovering new planets.
The emblem has since become iconic among the public. Many believe it symbolizes America’s desire for exploration and scientific progress.
It has been embroidered on every American astronaut’s uniform and prominently featured in their rocket ships.
When Neil Armstrong and his team of NASA astronauts landed on the moon, everyone saw the NASA logo emblazoned on their space suits. This has heightened people’s attention about NASA.
Soon after, all NASA activities were under the public eye, even the disastrous accident with Challenger in the 90s. Nevertheless, the NASA logo has always been known as one symbol of authority in outer space.
It is not a business brand, but its prominence laid the ground for any best brand logos list that might have existed.
The Symbolism in the NASA Logo Design Hails From Historic Beginnings
According to the original designer of the NASA logo, the red triangles symbolize a mythical bird spreading its wings wide. For some, it might be an irrelevant detail, but upon a closer look, it means something more.
The ancient Greeks believed the bird soaring through the sky represented a bridge between heaven and Earth. At the same time, other cultures saw it as a sign of new beginnings, luck, and strength.
All these meanings have been integrated into the now-iconic NASA logo, which reflects its mission to explore the unknown and make bold discoveries in space.
The circular orbit around the wings is also symbolic. It reflects the cyclical nature of space exploration, where one mission leads to another, and knowledge is continuously built upon until something remarkable happens.
It is also an intelligent nod to Nicolaus Copernicus’ heliocentric theory, which has been one of the most widely accepted facts about the solar system.
These meaningful references are a fitting salute to the forerunners of astronomy and the study of planets and galaxies.
This also teaches us one crucial rule in logo design: do not be afraid to use symbols as long as they are relevant to the image we want to portray.
NASA logo design teaches us that symbolisms work if we know when and how to use them effectively without distracting from the main idea.
The Simple Typography Sets the Space NASA Logo Apart
Aside from the iconic symbols, there is something special about the NASA logo – its straightforward typography.
The lettering features a bold sans serif typeface with low contrast in line weight, standing out and creating an immediate impression.
It’s easy to read and is modern yet timeless. The design also gives off a sense of unity as all letters are connected to the red swoosh, symbolizing NASA’s mission to explore space.
The NASA logo is an example of a well-crafted and practical design that conveys a powerful message in a few brush strokes – boldness, unity and exploration. It’s no wonder why this classic has continued to grow and thrive until now.
This is where the “less is more” aesthetic comes in. Once you have done enough in other visual elements, you must trim a little on different aspects to hit the balance.
Had NASA chosen to use a fancy font style or swirly typography about the planets revolving around the sun, it would be too much for the average viewer to digest.
It would look like a joke logo made for a fictional organization, which loses its credibility as a legitimate government institution and a forerunner in space explorations.
Sans serif fonts are a staple in many legal and governmental logos and emblems because of the sheer seriousness it brings to those who can see them.
NASA Logo Design’s Color Story Is Symbolic and Smart
One last thing to note about the iconic NASA logo design is its color story. Though there are a few variations, the core colors remain: red, white and blue.
These colors have been chosen to represent the American values of courage, justice and strength focused on in the space exploration mission.
Additionally, these hues are symbolic in their own right—red stands for the vastness of space and blue for the Earthly view, and white symbolizes the unity between them.
It can be remembered that NASA was established at the height of the Cold War to promote peace and progress through space exploration.
In that context, the colors can also be seen as a symbol of hope in the human race finding common ground amid political strife.
Every NASA exploration or expedition in outer space during the early years of the Cold War was seen as a source of pride and joy to many Americans.
Seeing the patriotic colors blended into the national flag representing the nation’s commitment to the advancement of space exploration is something to be proud of.
Today, NASA’s iconic logo reminds us of our relentless desire for progress and exploration that continues to soar beyond what we thought was possible. Its colors remain a powerful symbol of optimism and hope in times of challenge and change.
We all know that colors can spark various emotions. Using the colors associated with the American flag has succeeded in its goal of rallying the American population in whatever space endeavors they do.
NASA Maintains Its High Status in the Age of Space Exploration
After NASA's milestone successes, many Western countries and rising economies such as China and India have worked on creating similar government agencies focusing on the astronomical side of things.
Some have done it to further existing research. In contrast, others have done it to stake their claims on other planets or heavenly bodies that the United States has yet to step foot on.
NASA does not compete with countries in the Space Age anymore, as it is one of the founding members of the International Space Station, and it continues to make strides in other aspects of space exploration.
NASA carries out many ambitious projects, such as sending the first people to Mars and creating the James Webb Space Telescope, which will be capable of seeing further into deep space than any telescope before.
The agency also works on new ways to reach farther reaches of our universe, such as developing new propulsion systems and studying alternative forms of energy.
NASA continually looks to the future, pushing the boundaries of human exploration further than ever before.
It utilizes technology and creativity to find new ways to explore our universe, whether by discovering other planets or uncovering groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
NASA is a pioneer, but it does not hesitate to give a helping hand, as it has been involved in many international collaborations with countries and organizations worldwide.
NASA is and will continue to be, an example of excellence in space exploration. It serves as a beacon of hope for humanity's investigations and is unrivaled in its achievements.
The agency continues to provide humanity with new knowledge about our universe and furthers the possibilities for future generations.
No matter how many countries join the race, NASA stands at the helm of space exploration and continues to inspire people from all corners of the globe with its incredible feats.
Indeed, its presence in the age of space exploration is still unrivaled. NASA will remain a leader and innovator in space exploration for years.
It stands as an example of what humans can accomplish when they set their minds to it, and its legacy will never be forgotten.
- Industries:Aerospace Engineering Technology
- Tags:Emblem Typography Vintage