NSF 2017: New Logo - Vote and Design Options - DONE

[Chris Bergin]

Jumping to this suggestion (out of order of suggestions we'll work on, but one we can deal with right away):

Great idea. I'd also like to see a new logo, something that would work really well on t-shirts. The current one is great, but updating it would be even better.

First a vote to get an idea on what members think. No need to post "Yes" or "No". Leave that to the poll.

However, this thread (people posting) can be used to post your design ideas (so this one is for the artists out there).

If the vote is "new logo please", we'll pick some finalists and vote on them (liking uploaded designs will decide the finalists)

ONLY VOTE IF YOU THINK CURRENT OR NEW LOGO. ONLY POST IF YOU ARE UPLOADING YOUR LOGO GRAPHIC SUGGESTION.

And of course, I'm refining that, per this post: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40923.msg1569562#msg1569562

[floron]

I always thought it stood for News And Speculation About Spaceflight. 

Anyhoo, here's a quick idea:

[Chris Bergin]

Ah ha, the first post that's actually the purpose of this thread! Thanks floron.

Again, to all. This is not a thread about name changes (that's not going to happen, as noted in the other thread). I have a potential idea about something, but that's also for another thread, but this site is staying with the name.

Per if we need a new logo or not, that's why there's a poll. The only posts in this thread are for logo options. Then we see if there's one better than our current one. Chances are we won't change it, but if someone comes out with something special, that's when have a decision!

[okan170]

I rather like the current logo as-is, though it could have some additional variations for smaller, less color-rich uses, and ones where space may be an issue.  For example, moving the "spaceflight.com" under the NASA and making the swoosh a negative-space element over the end of "NASA///"  This version might be more efficient for labelling on smaller things, watermarking, tagging etc. while the main logo would be used everywhere else.

(quick mockups on my laptop)

[Graham]

I happen to have a wonderfully talented friend named Ryan Hufnagel, so I asked him if he'd be interested in attempting a logo- and he was! Here is what he came up with today. He wanted me to make it very clear that it is just a sketch and is looking for further feedback and ideas.

[Chris Bergin]

Ok, have to change the rules of this thread a bit now (after whining about people not following the rules of the thread ) as there's a request for feedback.

However, things to still remember:

1) New logo, or no new logo - please don't post "I don't want a new logo" or "Yeah, new logo". Leave that to the poll in the first post. Want to keep this thread focused....you all know what happens when threads run away with themselves

2) We're not changing the site's name. I do have an idea (which I'm drafting off line), but the core foundation is our name and we have to keep it. So nothing on that please.

-----

So feedback on the logos so far. Very good opening ones. Really appreciate people making an effort.

I have to say I like Okan's compromise in refining the current logo, that's a clever move.

Ryan's is very clever too, as NSF is our nickname, but a nightmare if we called the site "NSF" as there's lots of companies and orgs using that, not least the National Science Foundation, so that could be a problem. HOWEVER, Ryan gets around that with the use of the site's full name at the same time! Had not thought about that! I'd probably (and there's space) add the .com?

Cropping that to fit the header (which it would allow for) and background color considerations....oooooh, I am liking that.

[ejb749]

What if it were more like the NASA logo's font? 
This font is called 'Bambi', and it's close but not quite the same.
Is it too close to infringement?
I think the triangle should look more like a rocket... or shuttle...
It looks like the end of the devils tail now.

If you move 'SPACEFLIGHT.COM' over to the left and removed the swirl,
you could put the shuttle outline over the red bars.

[QuantumG]

Shuttle with a tear drop tattoo? Add the ISS. Maybe the words "and more!" with some non-NASA vehicles.

[Graham]

Ryan's is very clever too, as NSF is our nickname, but a nightmare if we called the site "NSF" as there's lots of companies and orgs using that, not least the National Science Foundation, so that could be a problem. HOWEVER, Ryan gets around that with the use of the site's full name at the same time! Had not thought about that! I'd probably (and there's space) add the .com?

Cropping that to fit the header (which it would allow for) and background color considerations....oooooh, I am liking that.

Here are some updated ones. These are just sketches, so please give feedback!
Remember all credit goes to Ryan!

[Chris Bergin]

Looking good and I think even better when reduced into the format of the site...but we are looking for things that work on not just the site, but on merch, etc. So yep! (PS Reuploaded them as they had a crazy long attachment name )

Per the Shuttle on the other logo....our foundation, so I get it, but they've gone and we've moved on.

[Chris Bergin]

Oh more accurately, Nathan's amazing Christmas render, but way too busy for a logo, of course. One of my favourite renders of all time, all the same. That, however, is us now.

So yeah, I think we're all on the same page. And of course, ultimately it will come down to a vote once we've given this enough time for people to upload their logos. Our current logo is great, after all, but with this drive (and it's going to be a long and wide-ranging drive - this is just items we can start right now) is about a proper renovation. We've got the servers more or less sorted (and are already thinking ahead to the demand of the big 2017/18 events...and Elon's September Mexico speech might be just ridiculous demand as a one off event regardless), but now is for the appearance and functionality.

Anyway, that render:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38961.msg1460868#msg1460868 (don't like this post, like the original upload on the link).

[floron]

Another attempt. I like the classic-style Gill Sans, in case you hadn't noticed...

[wenderro]

Just an idea that I played with some time ago. I would point that it will be beneficial to choose an logo that is easy to imprint, means it is relatively simple, has few colors and no gradients at the personalized products will look a lot better.

[gongora]

My personal opinion is that the size of "NASA" in the logo should be decreased so that it's not larger than "Spaceflight".  Also, I think copying an actual NASA logo into the logo for this site would be bad even if it was legal.

[wenderro]

My personal opinion is that the size of "NASA" in the logo should be decreased so that it's not larger than "Spaceflight".  Also, I think copying an actual NASA logo into the logo for this site would be bad even if it was legal.

I was using a larger NASA from legacy reasons and it works with the idea of the logo , but I adhere to your opinion, the focus should not be on NASA word if possible.

I think that this thread is only for posting logo ideas and not discussing, if it's so, please PM me any criticism or ideas on modifying the logo, I'm really opened to suggestions.

[VulcanCafe]

If Chris says no name change, then I prefer a tag line to go beyond the name.

Forgive the 2 crude mock ups attached.

Also STRONGLY suggest a shorter logo height. The taller the logo the more scrolling must be done on every single page. Focus on a more horizontal logo please!

[VulcanCafe]

Another attempt. I like the classic-style Gill Sans, in case you hadn't noticed...

I like your top option, with additional text below. Tag line on top, NASASPACEFLIGHT.COM below.

[Thorny]

Just something I worked up for fun...

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks for the continued efforts on this, everyone.

So far, based on votes and likes, it's between staying as-is, okan170's modification and a version of the one done by Ryan.

[RotoSequence]

One of my friends took a shot at designing a logo. It's a five-minute rough, so he'd appreciate input on the design and anything to be aware of regarding the use and/or emulation of NASA's style guides.

Edit: The originally proposed logo has been modified to versions 2 and 3. Version 3 adds some shading on the layered portions of the logo.

[AnalogMan]

To my eye the above looks too similar to the genuine NASA Insignia due to the use of the NASA "vector" and similar hue of blue.

[RotoSequence]

To my eye the above looks too similar to the genuine NASA Insignia due to the use of the NASA "vector" and similar hue of blue.

Would the use of specific colors from the NASA design guide pose a problem for NSF?

[russianhalo117]

To my eye the above looks too similar to the genuine NASA Insignia due to the use of the NASA "vector" and similar hue of blue.

Would the use of specific colors from the NASA design guide pose a problem for NSF?

Look at Code of Federal Regulations: Title 14 it lists out restrictions on the public for variations and usage of NASA insignias and logos.

[rcoppola]

IMO, the NSF logo should be updated to reflect 2 things:

1. A more contemporary design language
2. A better representation of what this site has evolved into since the days of Shuttle and post ISS build-out.

[RotoSequence]

IMO, the NSF logo should be updated to reflect 2 things:

1. A more contemporary design language
2. A better representation of what this site has evolved into since the days of Shuttle and post ISS build-out.

spaceflight.com already belongs to someone else, though. "NASA" is the only thing that distinguishes the two, and NSF was created to cover the return to flight of the Shuttle. I don't think it would hurt to keep that part of the site's heritage in its logo.

[RotoSequence]

My friend has a new design in lieu of an overt reference to The Meatball.

[ejb749]

So I've been playing with photostop a little too much... and tried some variations of Okan170's logo (top left).
The left column is the current site font, and the right column is a font similar to the Nasa logo.
I like the 'swoosh' design for the main site, and then you could use the appropriate logo/icon for each section of the website.

The photoshop files are available if anyone wants to play with them.

[rayleighscatter]

I rather like the current logo as-is, though it could have some additional variations for smaller, less color-rich uses, and ones where space may be an issue.  For example, moving the "spaceflight.com" under the NASA and making the swoosh a negative-space element over the end of "NASA///"  This version might be more efficient for labelling on smaller things, watermarking, tagging etc. while the main logo would be used everywhere else.

(quick mockups on my laptop)

I don't have the ability to fiddle with graphics but another possibility is to make the \\\ each a different color. Yellow, Orange, and Red give the idea of thrust (at least it does as I'm swiping the concept from the STS-1 patch)

If we stick generally with the same logo I do like it generally as Okan has done with the "spaceflight" in column with "nasa." I also like it with the swirling orbit removed as it seems to sort of off-balance the logo.

[Graham]

Here's another version Ryan put together. This version gets rid of the potential confusion with the National Science Foundation that the previous designs had.

[ejb749]

Like this?

I don't have the ability to fiddle with graphics but another possibility is to make the \\\ each a different color. Yellow, Orange, and Red give the idea of thrust (at least it does as I'm swiping the concept from the STS-1 patch)

If we stick generally with the same logo I do like it generally as Okan has done with the "spaceflight" in column with "nasa." I also like it with the swirling orbit removed as it seems to sort of off-balance the logo.

[Lar]

Like this?

I don't have the ability to fiddle with graphics but another possibility is to make the \\\ each a different color. Yellow, Orange, and Red give the idea of thrust (at least it does as I'm swiping the concept from the STS-1 patch)

If we stick generally with the same logo I do like it generally as Okan has done with the "spaceflight" in column with "nasa." I also like it with the swirling orbit removed as it seems to sort of off-balance the logo.

Yes, and add the different craft/stations/planets in different sections idea and it's really cooking.

[floron]

My friend has a new design in lieu of an overt reference to The Meatball.

I really like this one.    Nice and clean, easy to read...I just think the red swoosh and shuttle are a touch on the large side.

I've tried to riff a few more ideas off that one...the shuttle could be randomly swapped out with alternate vehicles, perhaps?

[floron]

...or here's a quick idea based off Nathan's rocket garden render:

[okan170]

Got a chance to do a cleaner version of the mockup.  I tried out a slightly different typeface too.

[Rocket Science]

Here's another version Ryan put together. This version gets rid of the potential confusion with the National Science Foundation that the previous designs had.

I like this design, perhaps not so much for the site's logo, but more for swag. It would look great on a t-shirt, cap or mug IMHO...

[Chris Bergin]

Got to say, I didn't think we'd get this much activity. Really appreciated and let's not go to a vote just yet. People clearly still have their thinking caps on!

[kenny008]

...or here's a quick idea based off Nathan's rocket garden render:

I really like the general design of this one.  It emphasizes the "spaceflight" part of NSF and de-emphasizes the "NASA" part.  The outlines of the different launchers also show this emphasis on a wide range of launchers, not just NASA launchers.  It still emphasizes launchers, which is only a part of spaceflight, but I think it is going in the right direction.

[Lar]

...or here's a quick idea based off Nathan's rocket garden render:

I really like the general design of this one.  It emphasizes the "spaceflight" part of NSF and de-emphasizes the "NASA" part.  The outlines of the different launchers also show this emphasis on a wide range of launchers, not just NASA launchers.  It still emphasizes launchers, which is only a part of spaceflight, but I think it is going in the right direction.

As a site we tend to be pretty launcher/mission centric, there typically isn't a lot of trade journalish "how to optimize downlink pointing for last generation GEO birds" stuff... (I made that up)

So that might be OK. I am digging all the ideas.

[tea monster]

I don't like the one with the red stripes. I think it's too much like the old one and has less verve and panache than the old one.

I love the rocket garden, but I'm thinking that it will have trouble sitting in the current page layout. It will look great on hats and t-shirts, but imagine trying to fit that into the space of the current page header - it will quickly get lost.

[wenderro]

IMHO, it will be best if it will be like 2 weeks time for submitting logo ideas (I plan at least to come with some more), there is no hurry and with that much time people will come up with great ideas. Also after that period some should be selected to participate in the final, also giving the authors time to refine the design based on criticism, suggestion, etc.
It really would be great to get a lovely logo that people really like and also use it proudly on swag (not sure if I used the word correctly )

[Chris Bergin]

Oh yeah, no rush with this. Two weeks before any downselect to a vote, at least, for sure.

[Lar]

Swag is a correct usage

[apirie98]

I love the rocket garden, but I'm thinking that it will have trouble sitting in the current page layout. It will look great on hats and t-shirts, but imagine trying to fit that into the space of the current page header - it will quickly get lost.

I agree with the above. The idea is great but it might work better in banner form as a page header - see very crude mock-up below as a proof of concept:

(EDIT: floron, hope you're okay with me chopping-and-changing your logo design; if not I will remove this post)

[floron]

Oh, have at it!  I've been working on something similar in odd moments at work.

[floron]

Trying to stay with the super-minimalist silhouette look...

[Mark McCombs]

I like the idea of a new logo that better reflect a more commercial space-centric theme.  In spite of the sites name.

 

[freda]

Modern logos are visually compatible with both Desktop and Mobile clients.  Complicated line-work is discouraged  A quick look at how other "companies" form very nice, compelling, visual, intuitive, mobile and desktop logos might give us thoughts for a new NSF logo.  Keep it simple.

One more thought.  The right-sidebar snippet on NSF that displays the 5 most recent Forum posts does seem a bit too squeezed.  NSF has a valuable asset in the NSF Forum.  The NSF Forum is a major aspect that draws people to NSF.  Expanding the count to a number larger (say 10) would attract the more eyeballs with a positive outcome.

[imageng]

I'm not sure for the file type...

[Chris Bergin]

Oh wow, I REALLY like that.  That's a winning first post.

Thinking some sort of combination of 3 and 4, with perhaps a bit more color...but I'm really interested in putting that forward (and then we'll have the big vote).

[imageng]

Thank you! I'm very glad that there is interest  for my logo... I will combine the third and the fourth version /if you can give me a directions for the colors .../ ...

[Kasponaut]

I think a logo needs to be more simple and elegant.

[Chris Bergin]

Thank you! I'm very glad that there is interest  for my logo... I will combine the third and the fourth version /if you can give me a directions for the colors .../ ...

The thing to keep in mind is how it would integrate with the new site design (which may be something like this: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40878.msg1590343#msg1590343 ) - see screenshot.

Black probably doesn't work. Blue should

But would wouldn't be restricted on things like baseball caps and t-shirts, so just thinking colors and options as a site logo right now.

(Again, I'm terrible at this sort of thing, so it will be trial and error - and our current logo is very good, so it's going to be a vote, but getting as many other ideas is a good idea

[imageng]

Hello again, my opinion is that on the screen it realy looks more black then the gray! My advice is for a colors without raster in case you gonna make hats, cups, t-shirts and stuff like pens or lighters ... Even that there is so many printing technologies for the raster stamps on any kind of rounded and relief surfaces, you gonna need a white basic surface for the raster images ... But on the end, there is nothing impossible in printing theese days, so here is some new ideas
... I think that gray color correspond with every color but it is only me, I made also a few combinations with blue!

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks! That gives us a lot of food for thought!

We'll create a short list over the holidays in mock ups and have the vote!

[imageng]

last few ideas .... I promise!

[imageng]

Thanks! That gives us a lot of food for thought!

We'll create a short list over the holidays in mock ups and have the vote!

I tried a few designs directly on the page... but on the end I think you are the one who should decide about the colors... 

[imageng]

I think a logo needs to be more simple and elegant.

I think it will look good enough on a rocket... 

[Rocket Science]

I think a logo needs to be more simple and elegant.

I think it look good enough on a rocket... 

Now all we have to do is to convince Chris to start a rocket company...

[imageng]

I think a logo needs to be more simple and elegant.

I think it look good enough on a rocket... 

Now all we have to do is to convince Chris to start a rocket company...

Have a little faith in my logo man... 

[Rocket Science]

I think a logo needs to be more simple and elegant.

I think it look good enough on a rocket... 

Now all we have to do is to convince Chris to start a rocket company...

Have a little faith in my logo man... 

I actually I think you're very talented!

[imageng]

I think a logo needs to be more simple and elegant.

I think it look good enough on a rocket... 

Now all we have to do is to convince Chris to start a rocket company...

Have a little faith in my logo man... 

I actually I think you're very talented!

Thank you ... I used to have a small advertising agency few years ago... trust me the more simple is one sign the better, but that is not true for web pages, so it is complicated when you want to use the logo for a few purposes...

[clongton]

A new logo could be good. But it’s important to keep the “NASA” theme. While this site recognizes, appreciates and even celebrates the accomplishments of other space-faring nations, from the beginning this site has been NASA-centric. If you lose sight of that it will be a fundamental change.  Given that the incoming president is indicating having NASA focus more on exploration, I would suggest a graphic that shows something off-earth. Don’t show any existing launch vehicles of manned spacecraft, because those will all eventually become dated. It would be better, for example, to show one of the planetary probes approaching its target, or a Pioneer entering the heliosphere; something to show NASA engaging in off-world exploration. Just don’t get too fancy with the graphic because the words “NASASPACEFLIGHT.COM” need to be the focus of the new logo.

[imageng]

A new logo could be good. But it’s important to keep the “NASA” theme. While this site recognizes, appreciates and even celebrates the accomplishments of other space-faring nations, from the beginning this site has been NASA-centric. If you lose sight of that it will be a fundamental change.  Given that the incoming president is indicating having NASA focus more on exploration, I would suggest a graphic that shows something off-earth. Don’t show any existing launch vehicles of manned spacecraft, because those will all eventually become dated. It would be better, for example, to show one of the planetary probes approaching its target, or a Pioneer entering the heliosphere; something to show NASA engaging in off-world exploration. Just don’t get too fancy with the graphic because the words “NASASPACEFLIGHT.COM” need to be the focus of the new logo.

I was thinking all night long... and on the end my question is why you don't want a more comercial logo of this website... you still are keeping NASA as main connection and on the same time the old logo is not the same shrift as the NASA logo?

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks! That gives us a lot of food for thought!

We'll create a short list over the holidays in mock ups and have the vote!

I tried a few designs directly on the page... but on the end I think you are the one who should decide about the colors... 

I really like the third one!

[mainengine]

The smooth warm logo from the Shuttle era I loved very much.
The newer ones have more of a technical-cold aura.

[Semmel]

Havn't been here in a while, sorry for the delayed answer. I like the logos very much! Personally, I like the simple ones better as well. I currently dont get the three stripes at the bottom of the F. Makes it look more like a tilted E. Also, the text within the letters looks nice when the logo is large but weird when it is small. Your user image is a good example of that effect imageng.

Chris, is it a requirement to spell out nasaspaceflight.com within the logo? If you go away with the text, the letters can be sleeker and you gain the option of using a fancier font. Also, the three stripes on the right-hand side can go onto the first and second horizontal bar without producing an E - like shape.

[Chris Bergin]

You are late

We're going with this:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42036.0