Correct Use
Stationary & Forms
Official NASA stationary Agency-wide is
distributed from Code AO at NASA
Headquarters. Electronic versions of
stationary are not permitted because of the
poor resolution quality of most printers.
Questions regarding stationary should be
referred to Code AO.
Agency-wide NASA Forms are controlled by
Code JT at NASA Headquarters.
The Insignia on forms should always be at
least 5/8". Any questions regarding forms
should be referred to Code JT.
Publications
The NASA Insignia does not necessarily have to appear as part of a front cover design. However, somewhere in the publication full NASA identification must be shown.
When using both the NASA Insignia and another NASA emblem (program logo, mission patch design or other related emblems) on the same publication, the NASA Insignia can be placed on the back panel of the brochure and the other NASA emblem on the front panel.
Logos can also appear side by side on the back panel of a brochure.
The NASA Insignia and any accompanying emblems should be approximately the same size.
The NASA Insignia cannot appear with the logos of private companies on publications with rare exceptions such as certain partnership situations. Any proposed use must be approved by the Visual Identity Coordinator at Headquarters.
The logos of educational organizations and institutions, non-profit government entities can appear together with the NASA Insignia on publications.
Typography
Typography and typographic design are the "architecture" of
any publication and help the various elements in a
publication fall into their logical locations. The following are
recommended typefaces for NASA publications:
Helvetica
Helvetica is the most important family of type in NASA's
visual program and can be used in a variety of situations to
create a clean and contemporary look. The full family of
Helvetica can be used: Helvetica Condensed, Helvetica
Extended, and Helvetica Black.
Headings which accompany Helvetica Light text settings are
set in Helvetica Medium. In certain situations Helvetica Bold
and Helvetica Condensed Light, Regular, Book and Bold may
be an appropriate alternative. Headings are set in upper and
lower case.
Futura
Futura is a san-serif letterform that is extremely legible, even
at very small sizes. The entire family of Futura can be used:
Bold, Extra Bold, Black, Light and Regular.
All caps for headings can be considered.
Times Roman
Times Roman is generally regarded as the best of the
modern or transitional typefaces. It offers readability,
character, and a certain utilitarian quality which makes it
quite useful in publication design. Times Roman is
recommended for newsletters, house organs and some other
news-oriented publications.
Headings may be set in Helvetica Medium or in Times Roman
Bold.
Garamond
Garamond is perhaps the finest of the "classical" typefaces. It
has stood the test of time and proved itself to be as useful in
contemporary design as it has been in more traditional
applications. It is ideal for high quality publications or those
of a more permanent nature.
Headings may be set in Helvetica Medium or Garamond
Bold. Garamond Bold is not a particularly heavy weight and
the designer must compensate by increasing the size of the
headings or by using space around them.
Certificates &
Awards
The NASA Insignia is permitted on
general awards and certificates
Agency-wide.
The NASA Seal is only permitted on
awards and certificates which are
presented or signed by the
Administrator.
Posters
Since immediacy is one of the most
important elements in poster design,
simple and bold headlines along with
uncomplicated graphics are best.
The NASA Insignia may be displayed
together with other NASA emblems
such as program logos, mission patch
designs, etc.
Private company logos
cannot appear with the NASA
Insignia on posters. See
advertising guidelines for
more information.
The logos of educational
institutions, non-profit
organizations and
government entities can
appear together with the
NASA Insignia on posters.
Signage
Simple, functional, and contemporary signs are an integral
and effective part of NASA Graphics Standards.
It is not necessary to display the NASA Insignia on all
signage. However, the NASA Insignia on signage including road
signage, must represent or direct an individual to NASA property
(a NASA facility, NASA building, NASA office, etc.).
Program, Logos & Other Emblems
Program and project logos can be used internally as team-building
efforts, but they should not appear in any type of NASA publicity,
commercial merchandise, external publications, or on any hardware,
vehicles, or spacecraft.
(An exception to this ruling are astronaut mission logos
which are traditionally an important part of NASA activities.
They should continue to be used as they have been, since they
are an established form of visual identification for a particular
mission.)
Program logos and other emblems should not contain the NASA
Insignia in them because of their relatively small size. The
word NASA should be used instead.
See new logo policy for
more information.
Exhibits
The goal of NASA exhibits is to display themes in a concise, informative,
appealing, and accessible way to a largely non-technical audience. When
incorporating the NASA Insignia for exhibits, use the following guidelines:
Against a white background, the Insignia may be reproduced in either black, gray
(PMS 416), silver (PMS 877), or the full color version (PMS 185 red and PMS 286
blue).
The full color version may be used only if it does not appear on an exhibit panel in
close proximity to color photographs or thematic design elements. In those
situations, it is a distraction and does not serve a useful purpose. A one color
version of the NASA Insignia should be used instead.
The full color NASA Insignia should be used without a white line encircling it.
Against a black background, the Insignia may be reproduced in black, with a white
line encircling it or in the authorized full color version.
Against a dark color background, the Insignia may be reproduced in that color with
a white line encircling it.
The NASA Insignia should never be reproduced in reversed form.
Broadcast TV
Approved three-dimensional versions of the NASA Insignia can be used for NASA television and other broadcast television uses (i.e. when a private station would like to use the Insignia as a backdrop for a news story on NASA). Both the animated version and the frozen framed version are acceptable. Also, the flat two-dimensional version of the Insignia can be used.
Any new three-dimensional versions of
the NASA Insignia will be reviewed by
the Headquarters Visual Identity
Coordinator on a case by case basis.
Electronic
On the Internet and for other electronic uses, both the
animated version and approved frozen framed
three-dimensional versions of the NASA Insignia are
acceptable.
Any new three-dimensional versions of the NASA Insignia
will be reviewed by the Headquarters Visual Identity
Coordinator on a case by case basis.
Non-NASA web sites are not permitted
to use the NASA Insignia.
Motor Vehicles, Aircraft, Spacecraft & Shuttle
Motor Vehicles
The following are suggested markings of NASA motor vehicles. As a
general rule, the identification configuration is applied on a flat surface
as high as possible on the front doors of the vehicle avoiding sculptured
edges, door handles, side-view mirrors and other hardware. The
following samples show the use of the NASA Insignia on the door of the
Vehicle
On a white background, the two color version of the Insignia should be
used (PMS 185 and PMS 286) with black typography.
On dark colored backgrounds, a semi-transparent decal should be used
which outlines the Insignia in white with the accompanying typography
in white.
On Lighter Backgrounds, a black insignia can be used with black typography.
Aircraft
The overall aircraft paint and marking scheme for NASA controlled
aircraft usually consists of a blue stripe down the middle of the fuselage
sides, white fuselage top, white wings and gray fuselage bottom, and
FAA registration number and other markings for exits, rescue, warning
areas, etc. The preferred location of the NASA Insignia is to the lower
corner of the cockpit window area.
The tail fin should display the word NASA in red (PMS 185) using
demibold Helvetica type. Due to a wide variety of aircraft, it may be
necessary to make adjustments in application of the identification. Any
questions concerning aircraft markings should be directed to the Visual
Identity Coordinator in the Headquarters Office of Public Affairs.
Spacecraft
Markings on spacecraft should comply with scientific and operational
requirements. Markings should include the NASA Insignia, the logos of
partners (both private and government) and, in some cases,
accompanying program logos.
Due to the wide variety of spacecraft, it may be necessary to make
adjustments in application of the identification. Any questions
concerning spacecraft markings should be directed to the Visual Identity
Coordinator in the Headquarters Office of Public Affairs.
Shuttle
Now that a cost-effective means of changing the design has been found,
the NASA Insignia will be gradually replacing the NASA Logotype on all
Shuttle orbiters. The orbiter markings also include an American flag, the name of the orbiter, and US identifications.
Press Releases, Flyers & Newsletters
Since easy legibility is
required, designs should be simple and
not distracting.
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