NASA Graphic Standards Manual

"phenotyp" (phenotyp) 02/25/2020 at 09:15 • Filed to: nasa, graphic design

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In 1976, NASA produced a graphic standards manual for internal use, for all applications of the logo, and h ow things should look. They covered everything they could think of at the time, from paper-based communication to spacecraft.

It specified the official typeface: Futura. Which you might also recognize from Stanley Kubrick’s films.

Which seems a bit on-the-nose, I admit. But it’s pretty hard to argue.

It’s still a reminder for me of the future I expected as a kid. So optimistic, so clean, like the first step toward Star Trek TNG. I wanna live in a world where there’s an Aerospace Education Unit.

You can pay people for a hardcopy, or you can download it yourself !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Ash78, voting early and often > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 09:48

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“ Space isn’t a dump truck. It’s a series of tubes.” --Ted Stevens

phenotyp > Ash78, voting early and often 02/25/2020 at 09:50

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“ I hear there’s rumors, on the internets” -GWB

user314 > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 10:00

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Ok, can anyone name the make & model on this truck? I really  need to build a model of it now. 

Notchback88 > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 10:00

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Growing up my friend had a sweet Nasa/shuttle blueprint wallpaper. I was so jealous.

I still am, really. I can’t find an image of it because searching anything with “wallpaper” just gives desktop images. 

phenotyp > Notchback88 02/25/2020 at 10:05

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That sounds awesome.

Aremmes > user314 02/25/2020 at 10:06

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Ford C-series COE.

phenotyp > user314 02/25/2020 at 10:08

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Ford Cab-Over, methinks

phenotyp > Aremmes 02/25/2020 at 10:08

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beat me to it.

user314 > Aremmes 02/25/2020 at 10:08

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MonkeePuzzle > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 10:09

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friggin cool vehicles!

MonkeePuzzle > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 10:21

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I car less about Futura, and more about the logo font :D

“Nasalization” appears to be an acceptable version that’s available online.

phenotyp > MonkeePuzzle 02/25/2020 at 10:26

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Those Zs are just sideways Ns. That’s a cheap and shitty font, like a Cats Does Countdown gag.

phenotyp > MonkeePuzzle 02/25/2020 at 10:30

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Wait til you see the space shuttle.

ttyymmnn > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 10:37

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Okay, that’s super cool. I do prefer the modified meatball on the tail, though.

MonkeePuzzle > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 10:44

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while I always appreciate a cats reference, its CLEARLY not the same as the N’s :P

phenotyp > ttyymmnn 02/25/2020 at 10:48

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Goddamn, the Canberra is so cool. So, so cool.

It’d still look better with the worm logo. (FIGHT ME ALL YOU WANT :))

And T-38s are just the prettiest plane. Just effortlessly graceful. Super fast, yet forgiving.

And as a non-counterpoint, I will add:

(the Grumman logo gives me agita, there, to put things back on topic)

user314 > Notchback88 02/25/2020 at 10:51

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I think I had the same wallpaper! Something like this ?

phenotyp > MonkeePuzzle 02/25/2020 at 10:54

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THERE’S ONLY ONE CASE: UPPER

Notchback88 > user314 02/25/2020 at 10:55

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Maybe? My memory is pretty fuzzy on it now. I want to say the launch platform was on it too. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 11:07

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That’s really cool.

When I was at my last job I discovered that the company founder had his own font, the Gibbs font. The firm was Gibbs & Cox, Inc., a naval architecture firm, and as I understand it the font had been developed for use for signs, placards, and even things like dinner menus onboard the S.S. United States, one of Gibbs greatest commercial designs.

There i s some more information here , though their story differs a bit from what my (l imited) research uncovered. Basically they say the font was developed from signs found on the ship, my research indicated the font was developed for the ship. A bit of chicken and egg scenario.

Sadly I don’t think anyone at the company knew about this (since the ship was built some 70 years ago). I brought it up when I discovered it but I don’t think it ever gained any traction to be put in regular use at the company .

phenotyp > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/25/2020 at 11:17

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Wow. Super wow. Please tell me more. So many questions— what did you do there?

So many questions. Feel free to contact directly. Holy moly.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > phenotyp 02/25/2020 at 11:38

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I’m a mechanical engineer and worked for them for several years mainly doing ship auxiliary systems (HVAC, plumbing, etc.) design and engineering. I did some other fun stuff not related to that as well.

I’m following you on Instagram, I’ll  DM you when I get out of work this afternoon and we can chat. 

phenotyp > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/25/2020 at 11:53

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For sure.

Jayvincent > phenotyp 02/26/2020 at 01:08

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Pay no attention to the wires...

and a bonus....