NOAA Logo PNG
The NOAA logo speaks of travel and exploration. The emblem’s image resembles a view of distant expanses through a telescope’s circle, evoking tranquility, harmony, and freedom.
NOAA: Brand overview
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was officially established on October 3, 1970, bringing together several key scientific agencies dedicated to exploring and protecting the world’s oceans and atmosphere. Its origins trace back to 1807 when the U.S. Coast Survey, America’s first federal scientific organization, began mapping coastlines. Over time, additional services emerged, such as the Weather Bureau, which became essential for agriculture forecasts under the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Fisheries, which safeguarded marine resources. NOAA incorporated these entities, consolidating roles previously held by the U.S. Navy and other departments. Launching advanced weather satellites like GOES and NOAA revolutionized weather forecasting, contributing significantly to disaster preparedness, climate research, and marine resource management. Today, NOAA remains integral in delivering real-time environmental data, accurately predicting severe weather events, and enhancing national resilience to natural threats.
Meaning and History
The department’s emblem was adopted a year after NOAA’s founding. The organization’s first administrator, Dr. Robert White, inspired its development. The choice was made between three different options. All sketches were related to the shape of a circle and the interweaving of elements within it, but the option with a seagull emerged as the winner.
What is NOAA?
NOAA is an American agency that deals with meteorological, oceanic, and atmospheric research. It falls under the Department of Commerce. The office is located in Washington, D.C. The agency employs 12,000 staff members. It is divided into three divisions: National Ocean Survey, National Marine Fisheries Service, and National Weather Service.
1970 – today
The department’s emblem is a circle divided into two halves by the wings of a flying seagull. This simple symbol carries many meaningful messages.
- The upper blue shade represents the sky, relating to atmospheric research.
- The lower blue half symbolizes the oceans, representing oceanic research.
- The seagull, a common coastal bird that spends most of its life in the air or on the waves, has white feathers symbolizing purity, peace, and safety. The organization’s mission includes warning the population about natural disasters. The bird’s wings spread over the surface indicate that NOAA’s research includes all oceanic waters near the USA. Some observers see the seagull’s outline as a sea wave’s foamy crest.
The three parts of the emblem correspond to the three divisions of the organization: Ocean, Marine Fisheries, and Weather. They describe the interrelation of Earth’s and ocean’s ecosystems, demonstrating the inseparable connection of air, water, and land.
The circular shape evokes various associations with maritime themes: a life buoy, a buoy, a telescope, and a pair of binoculars. A direct parallel can also be drawn with a stamp, as the organization operates at the governmental level.
The institution’s name is at the top of the circle: NOAA, an abbreviation for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Around the edges of the emblem, the full name of the organization and its parent department is written in thin letters, like a ticker tape.
Font and Colors
The NOAA logo is presented in calm shades of blue and white, reflecting the nature of the organization’s work in oceanic and atmospheric research. The white elements represent clarity of scientific objectives and transparency of information accessible to the public. The blue tones evoke associations with ocean depth and the infinite sky, merging them into a unified composition.
The text within the emblem is rendered in the smooth and precise Sporty Pro Regular typeface. Its soft contours align with the overall fluidity of the symbol’s lines. The explanatory text uses the simpler, more neutral M Hei PRC Medium typeface, emphasizing the organization’s practicality and transparency.
The combination of color and typography creates a balanced and composed image of NOAA, conveying scientific accuracy and stability in studying natural processes on the planet.