The EPA logo reflects the care and conservation of Earth’s resources that the organization strives for. The emblem represents the ambition to provide a clean and reliable home for future generations and teach them important life principles.
EPA: Brand overview
EPA stands for the independent Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA logo adorns the administrator’s office, 12 offices with their structure, 10 regional departments, and 27 laboratories where over 14,500 people work. The EPA was created in 1970 to respond to environmental pollution, which became acute in the United States in the early 1960s. The agency’s main task was implementing Richard Nixon’s plan to improve ecology. The new body’s responsibilities included conducting research, developing standards, monitoring, and training enterprises.
Meaning and History
Chermayeff & Geismar designed the organization’s current logo in 1977. Their approach was characterized by minimalism and a preference for abstraction. Their work was so successful that the EPA logo has remained unchanged throughout the agency’s existence.
The emblem consists of a graphic image and an inscription.
What is EPA?
The EPA is an organization responsible for protecting the environment and ecology in the United States at the federal level. It has legislative and executive powers. It was founded in 1970.
The first part of the logo contains a symbol that has two meanings:
- A schematic flower with two leaves and a flower head between them. A plant element indicates the direction of the organization’s activities: maintaining biodiversity and preserving the green planet.
- A globe held by two palms. The image expresses the idea of care and protection for all living things on Earth. The effect is enhanced by depicting the sun, shore, and waves inside the circle. The EPA initiated Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, and involves more than 1 billion people worldwide.
The drawing inside the globe symbolizes the EPA’s main goal: to preserve the purity of water, air, and soil to ensure a healthy future for people.
The inscription following the image represents the organization’s full name abbreviation: the Environmental Protection Agency. The uppercase letters emphasize the importance of the agency’s mission.
The Seal
Unlike the emblem, the seal is more vivid, saturated, and colorful. It has a round, dark blue rim with the organization’s full name around the circle. At the center is a drawing resembling the same flower. A stem and a green meadow are added to it. Inside the flower head are depicted blue sky, green grass, bright sun, and blue sea, creating a unique composition. The idea of the image remains the same: protecting all of Earth’s resources so that it may flourish like a flower and delight its inhabitants with its beauty, akin to a precious pearl.
In 2018, the organization’s new leader, Scott Pruitt, attempted to change the visual identity, but his proposal was sharply criticized.
Font and Colors
The primary color of the emblem is blue. It reflects clarity and the natural purity of air and water environments free from pollution and industrial waste. The shade of blue evokes transparency and order, accurately conveying the organization’s focus.
The emblem uses a sans-serif typeface in a modern style. The characters appear strict and confident, with uniform stroke width and clean lines. The font resembles Kole Bold and Mero Thai Bold, creating a visual impression of formality and reliability.
The organization is actively involved in establishing environmental standards and ensuring their enforcement. Its responsibilities include public information support, developing clear business guidelines, and applying penalties for environmental violations. The color palette and typeface together form the image of a responsible entity working toward ecological order and environmental safety.