I took a Skillshare project by Paula Scher called “Dynamic Brand Identity: Designing Logos That Evolve.” The project for this class was to re-design and identity system for NASA. I took this class as a challenge to brush up on my thinking and process.

 

 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established in 1958 by President Eisenhower. Before NASA the organization that was set out to accomplish -similar objectives, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), was more military in its -orientation. NASA was to be distinctively civilian. NASA was conceived in an almost -reactionary manner after the Soviets launched Sputnik. U.S. congress was alarmed at the implications and possible threats to our national security and NASA was born to begin non-military operations with the goal of better understanding the universe, space travel and the earth.

 

The major change is recent years is that Space shuttle missions have been put on hold and the emphasis now is on the International Space Station (ISS). The main reason for this seem to be the aging technologies inherent in the space shuttles and the rising risks involved as a result of these technologies caused the board to make this decision. The Columbia disaster in 2003 was impetus for this decision.

 

NASA as it stood in 1958 was focused on earth and the moon. JFK’s famous speech, “We choose to go to the moon!” at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas on September 12, 1962 was a stirring rally to the nation to champion progress and discovery no matter the cost. He compared going to the moon to other great American discoveries and achievements.

 

The focus is now on Mars and establishing an outpost there by 2035. It may be appropriate for the new re-design to allude to this.