NOIRLab Logo Explanation

The new logo is based on a design brief and on keywords from the nationalastro.org: community, innovation, ideas, diversity, exchange, creative, development, science and discovery. 

• The designers considered how these words relate to NOIRLab and its programs, and how to make these words into imagery. 
• The developed logo has numerous meanings: 
  • The large black half circle can represent a dark sky, black (NOIR), a planet or a black hole. 
  • The smaller circles that surround it represent community, diversity, ideas, discovery, networking, a galaxy, moons or stars. 
  • The five colors of the smaller circles represent the five programs within NOIRLab. 
• The intention was to create a logo that is both geometric and organic. Both of these styles evoke certain feelings within people, from bold and innovative to friendly and inclusive.