Nasa Graphics Standards Manual Reissue now on general release

After 8,798 backers went crazy for the Nasa Graphics Standards Manual Reissue on Kickstarter, its publishers have now put the book on general release with a super website to match.

The book republishes the 1974 Nasa design manual by New York firm Danne & Blackburn, detailing how the space agency’s graphic identity should be used on everything from letterheads to rockets. Pentagram associate partners Jesse Reed and Hamish Smyth scanned and printed Richard Danne’s original personal ring-bound copy of the manual to recreate the hardcover book in all its retro-futuristic glory.

“Speaking as a design nerd,” says Hamish Smyth, “I think the ‘worm’ logo is almost perfect, and the system behind it is a wonderful example of modernist design and thinking. [It] represents an agency whose goal is to explore space and push the boundaries of science.”

It also includes an introduction by Richard, an essay by New York magazine’s Christopher Bonanos and exclusive materials from the DanneDesign archive.

To coincide with the book being available to pre-order, Jesse and Hamish have launched an updated website featuring rare and never-before-seen material from the book.