NASA’s retired “worm” logo has left a lasting legacy that still conjures up images of deep space exploration to this day. Its “smooth, soaring” typeface and characteristic uncrossed A’s, featured on the NASA Graphics Standard Manual, was designed by Richard Danne and Bruce Blackburn roughly four decades ago in 1974. Now, modern-day “design nerds,” Jesse Reed and Hamish Smyth, are reintroducing the beloved manual and making it available to the public via a Kickstarter campaign.
NASA Graphics Standard Manual Kickstarter Campaign
The manual, originally put out as a ringed binder, was first issued in 1975 and discontinued in 1992, when NASA decided to revert back to the famous “meatball” logo, which is still used today. The switch was made in an attempt to boost employee morale, as some NASA veterans never took to the worm, according to Wired.
With any change, however, comes a wave of criticism, as demonstrated by British design critic Alice Rawsthorn in a New York Times article: “Everything about the worm is seductively new, optimistic and futuristic, declaring that NASA is leading us toward a brighter, bolder future.”
Blackburn and Smyth seem to agree with the sentiment. Their Kickstarter page states, “Where the meatball feels cartoon-like and old fashioned; the worm feels sleek, futuristic, forward-thinking. All good things for a space agency at the bleeding-edge of science and exploration.”
The New York design firm behind the project will reproduce the manual as a hardcover book, which space-enthusiasts can purchase and display on their coffee tables for $80.00 USD.
Just a word of caution though: NASA’s Graphics Standard Manual is, well, just that…a manual. According to CNET, it’s not just a casual Sunday-afternoon read. Rather, “hard-core space buffs” and “lovers of graphic design” can enjoy flipping through its various pages that features drawings and text explaining how to place type onto all-things NASA related (space shuttles stationary, etc.).
For more information about the NASA Graphics Standard Manual Kickstarter, click here. Since its launch, the campaign has raised over $350,000 in support from over 3,500 backers.
Images courtesy of NASA Graphics Standard Manual Kickstarter page.
