ESA - European Space Agency emblem.
Oct. 27, 2022
It is said that each image has its own story. And this is also the case with the ESA logo, whose simplicity is sometimes deceptive. Its story begins with the creation of ESA, and its design has evolved to reflect an ever-changing world and the development of the agency.
ESA Logo
The history of the ESA logo begins in 1975, at a key moment in space history which sees the European Space Research Council (ESRO) and the European Council for the construction of rocket launchers (CECLES, or ELDO in English) merge to become the European Space Agency (ESA). Its first chief executive, Roy Gibson, wanted to create a strong identity for the new space agency and emphasize how it had succeeded in bringing the European space sector together. It was in this spirit that he asserted the agency name "ESA" and that a graphic element, the circular crest, was created to complement it. Together, they will form the first ESA logo.
The team responsible for creating the logo wanted it to represent the goals and values of the newly created ESA, so every detail was considered. The circular shield represents our planet, Earth, and the “e” on the surface of this globe symbolizes “Europe”, as the letter “e” is common to all the languages of the ESA Member States.
Bulletin 1 cover
The “e” also represents Europe, at the center of space activities. A small white dot represents a satellite, while a number of curved lines suggest the orbits of a space vehicle or parallels (lines of latitude used on navigational charts).
But what was not expected was that many people were going to see in these curved lines of the disc a fingerprint. This added an appealing human facet, especially when ESA became more involved in manned spaceflight. The idea was therefore retained, becoming part of the history of the circular crest, which has often been nicknamed “fingerprint”.
With its many symbolic meanings, the logo was also very practical for an international organization. As a graphic element, the impact of the ESA circular crest went beyond the borders of different languages. Initially used on official documents, business cards and stationery, the ESA logo later became the star of the cover of the first edition of the ESA Bulletin, the agency's internal magazine.
Then, in 1977, the circular crest and the ESA name were combined and the first graphic charters on the visual identity of ESA were published. This was then the start of a branding that would see some changes take place – although the original logo concept would remain at the heart of ESA's visual identity.
Over the following decades, the ESA logo faced a new world, which saw the proliferation of television channels as well as the appearance of the Internet, smartphones and social networks. The logo fingerprint was hard to see on screens due to the scratches flickering, similar to an optical illusion. To solve this problem, the lines were reduced, then completely removed when the ESA launched its internet portal.
Shaun the Sheep in parabolic flight training
Now let's move on to the current situation. We live in an age of information overload, with multiple channels clamoring for attention, so increasing visibility is essential.
ESA's visual identity needed a stronger and more consistent application to ensure immediate recognition. This is why we now only have one logo, suitable for all uses, and one guide for users in order to reach our large audience more easily.
Playmobil astronaut training team
Modern ESA logo reduces visual noise; it has been redesigned as part of ESA's visual identity that tells our story and expresses ESA's aspirations and values wherever it is seen.
Today, you can find the ESA logo all over the place, on social media, on iconic space vehicles and even on ESA-inspired children's toys. From its humble beginnings on letterhead, the ESA logo has become the centerpiece of a globally respected brand.
- Visit our Brand Center to learn more about our visual identity: https://brand.esa.int/
- Discover the exceptional partners who work with us: https://brand.esa.int/co-branding/
- Would you like to use the ESA logo or our visual identity?: https://brand.esa.int/brand-licensing/
Images, Text, Credits: ESA/Aardman/geobra Brandstätter Stiftung & Co. KG (Germany)/Translation: Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
Greetings, Orbiter.ch
