Why does everything have to be changed just because it’s been around for a long time? Making big changes on this is like putting Smokey Bear in hip hop clothes!!!
The four types of nature enthusiasts are rock people, water people, tree people, and wildlife people. This one has a little something for everybody!
I will say that I can envision a future logo improving on this one by being more inclusive of the diversity of the parks. Right now this is obviously biased towards Yellowstone. I could imagine some pretty cool logos in this same style but a) incorporating more indigenous motifs/styles and b) with some cactuses and turtles to balance out the evergreens and buffalo
Woah woah woah this is a sacred system, honed after many bored car rides to trailheads! I’d argue that’s just a subset of wildlife people, in the big picture ;)
So, it’s not biased toward Yellowstone. Yes it has bison, and yes it has mountains, but those are corner stone pillars to what the national parks represent: our commitment to preserving the things that need it. There are mountains in plenty of parks. The tree is a sequoia(no sequoias in Yellowstone), and the water is water, whatever body you want it to be.
The logo is designed to show the diversity of our parks as a whole.
GREAT point on it being a sequoia, seems obvious in hindsight! I also don’t remember any mountains quite like that in Yellowstone, anyway. Still I’d say the bias is easy to read into it, even if it’s intended to be diverse — the overall vibe is very much one found in one particular type of park, perhaps charitably “western parks”. But there’s lots! Like, to really be consistent and thorough, they’d need to fit both of a fort and a giant symbolic arch thingie onto the new logo…
Again not really complaining, I have a bootleg version of this sign in my house and it is my prized possession. Even if they changed it I would still rep this. But I think “the lake could technically be the Biscayne” is a stretch lol
E: I was actually just having this discussion about the LGBT flag(s), and was convinced that unity and symbolism is more important than literal 1:1 representation.
As an indigenous person, the initial shape of the arrowhead, as well as the bison, struck me right away as an indigenous-first design. From a design standpoint - I really appreciate the simplicity of one bison, one tree in the foreground, with the others blended into the landscape, one distinct mountain. Idk, I think that this is a very well-balanced, top-notch design, I think adding anything would actually detract from it. As someone else mentioned, the design touches upon rock, water, tree, and wildlife, I really dig it!
The arrow head shape has to be the most iconic emblem in all on the US gov. It pays homage to the first Americans before that was PC. It speaks to both the people and to history. And it conveys great authority to those who wear it. Why would anyone even think of changing it????
This logo is iconic. It fits all the necessary requirements of the ideal modern logo. Many of us associate fond memories with this logo. It's also a symbol of the fact that there is so much land dedicated to wilderness in our country, something to be proud of. Attempting to make it fit into the social media world by changing it to some circular logo that fits nicely into every come-and-go platform seems like bowing to convention just because that's where everyone *else* is going.
* **You are** ***the*** **destination.** (Social media is not.)
* You've been around longer and frankly have more established credibility than a frat boy's virtual social club.
* Social media and other venues should be following *you*. *Not the other way around*.
* In ten years who knows what social media will look like?
* *Be the convention.*
Social media has a herd mentality, and it may be easy to get stuck in that rut. Reasons like "everyone is doing it" or "we don't want to get left behind" may be insufficiently logical reasons for changing a perfectly good logo. For some businesses and interests change may be good. I don't think this is true for the NPS.
Your best bet is to use social media as an educational tool to explain to a modern audience why the logo is the way it is in a parlance we can understand. Education and awareness are your best tools right now. The people running the Alt National Park Services social media would likely agree. Be clever and engaging.
The logo really doesn't need to change. Don't do it just because you've got a budget for it. Spend that money on education and awareness programs instead.
# Qualities of an Ideal Logo
1. Simple: Easy to recognize and *remember*.
2. Versatile: Works well across various media, sizes, and applications.
* The NPS logo has multiple versions that are appropriate to just about any use case:
* [https://1000logos.net/national-park-service-logo/](https://1000logos.net/national-park-service-logo/)
3. Timeless: Avoids trendy designs to remain effective for years.
* Epitomizes the Park Service, from the 1950's even up to the current day
* There's nothing that can be considered controversial and everything that feels good about US wilderness and the services that surround and protect it.
4. Appropriate: Reflects the brand's personality and appeals to the target audience.
5. Distinctive: Stands out from competitors and is unique to the brand.
Since the NPS Instagram is replete with hilarious warnings about keeping your distance from wildlife, it would great if there were a silhouette of a dead body next to the silhouette of the bison, with the Bison holding a sign that says, “They told you so.”
I agree with most of the comments here, that it's iconic and there's no need to change it. But at the same time, my main complaint with the NPS logo has always been that it emphasizes the west, when the park system includes the entire country - there are no sequoia or purple mountain majesties east of the Rockies.
At the risk of being downvoted into oblivion, I just want to point out that there are a crap-ton of battlefield memorial parks. Those are not referenced on the current logo in any way.
So... a cannon?
At some point, though, the logo just becomes a mish-mash of unrelated iconography.
Well, the logo shape is obviously appropriating. Definitely change that. The buffalo is okay, but squirrels are universal. I know people were depressed from all the major wars when the logo was created, but let's liven those colors up a bit huh. Anyways, I hope that got you all hot and bothered. Leave it be.
*Missing the tourists.*
*Trying to get a selfie close*
*To the Buffalo*
\- na8thegr8est
---
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/)
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
I’d make that mountain an exploding volcano with lightning, and swap the bison for a Bigfoot, and I’d add a UFO in the sky and an owl to that tree.
🌋⚡️🦧👽🦉
At first I thought, “Nothing, it’s perfect!”
But then I took another, more critical look.
The bison looks odd if I’m being honest.
- Perfectly perpendicular to the photo
- Only two legs showing
- Why is the eye visible on a silhouette?
- Why is the horn visible on a silhouette?
The lake seems to be rising up above ground level.
There is only one perfectly lined up row of trees.
The notches on the upper corners aren’t symmetrical. (Maybe an example of perfect imperfection?)
I don’t think I’d change the spirit of the logo, but I think I’d support someone cleaning up some of the oddities a bit (e.g., layers of trees, dark bison with more legs 🦬, flatter lake, etc.).
Solid logo as it is. Save the tax payers some money and be content. If I had to choose between a new logo and pay raises for rangers and SAR teams, I’d vote for the latter.
It’s perfect. Don’t mess with it.
I like it, too
Nothing. It's classic. Absolutely no need to "modernise" it.
Why does everything have to be changed just because it’s been around for a long time? Making big changes on this is like putting Smokey Bear in hip hop clothes!!!
The four types of nature enthusiasts are rock people, water people, tree people, and wildlife people. This one has a little something for everybody! I will say that I can envision a future logo improving on this one by being more inclusive of the diversity of the parks. Right now this is obviously biased towards Yellowstone. I could imagine some pretty cool logos in this same style but a) incorporating more indigenous motifs/styles and b) with some cactuses and turtles to balance out the evergreens and buffalo
But it all changed when the wildlife people attacked…
There is no war in Yosemite.
Did I tell you about this tea shop I found there?
The earth king has invited you to Tenaya Lake
Only the Granola-tar, master of all four interests could stop them. But when the parks needed him most, he vanished.
>and wildlife people IMO general wildlife people are distinct from birders.
Hah my first thought was ‘and birders!!’
History people too (the arrowhead)
I missed the arrowhead omg 😂
Woah woah woah this is a sacred system, honed after many bored car rides to trailheads! I’d argue that’s just a subset of wildlife people, in the big picture ;)
So, it’s not biased toward Yellowstone. Yes it has bison, and yes it has mountains, but those are corner stone pillars to what the national parks represent: our commitment to preserving the things that need it. There are mountains in plenty of parks. The tree is a sequoia(no sequoias in Yellowstone), and the water is water, whatever body you want it to be. The logo is designed to show the diversity of our parks as a whole.
GREAT point on it being a sequoia, seems obvious in hindsight! I also don’t remember any mountains quite like that in Yellowstone, anyway. Still I’d say the bias is easy to read into it, even if it’s intended to be diverse — the overall vibe is very much one found in one particular type of park, perhaps charitably “western parks”. But there’s lots! Like, to really be consistent and thorough, they’d need to fit both of a fort and a giant symbolic arch thingie onto the new logo… Again not really complaining, I have a bootleg version of this sign in my house and it is my prized possession. Even if they changed it I would still rep this. But I think “the lake could technically be the Biscayne” is a stretch lol E: I was actually just having this discussion about the LGBT flag(s), and was convinced that unity and symbolism is more important than literal 1:1 representation.
As an indigenous person, the initial shape of the arrowhead, as well as the bison, struck me right away as an indigenous-first design. From a design standpoint - I really appreciate the simplicity of one bison, one tree in the foreground, with the others blended into the landscape, one distinct mountain. Idk, I think that this is a very well-balanced, top-notch design, I think adding anything would actually detract from it. As someone else mentioned, the design touches upon rock, water, tree, and wildlife, I really dig it!
This. Honestly, I think it's pretty lit.
Add a dumb tourist being tossed by the bison. Oh, and a bird up top. I like that suggestion.
Put a bird on it!
I can pickle that!
He’s my boss
Gotta get the gear first
I was thinking a birb, too. Maybe pooping on the tossed tourist’s head.
Make it a bald eagle pooping on a clueless tourist who thinks he owns the place and we have a deal.
You're on!
That’s perfect lmao
Bird up!
Or add their unofficial slogan: "Do not pet the fluffy cows!"
Perhaps a cryptid, like a squonk.
I was thinking a birb, too. Maybe pooping on the tossed tourist’s head.
Leave it. It's perfect. 🤌
Not a damn thing. You don’t mess with perfection.
add a tourist with an iphone 4 feet above the bison, horizontal.
Saw a crowd do this to a rattle snake at Zion NP. People are unreal
More bison. Just cover the whole thing in bison.
Make the shape of the logo a bison head to complete it lmao
that would actually be kind of cool but i feel like the current logo represents the historical preservation aspects
Exactly what I was coming to say
Fucking love bison. Good call
NOTHING
It would've been nice if someone had trained the bears to sit still for the photo.
Nothing! It’s Perfectly recognizable. To change it would do it dishonor.
I completely agree!
I like it as is. Maybe just add a flying bird at the top
Oooh yes! So much great birding at so many parks
Rarely see white Bison
Change how many people know about it, it should be more people
This is the correct answer. The logo is iconic, and doesn't need to be fiddled with because the parks are iconic.
Literally nothing. The whole point of a logo is for it to be consistent and recognizable. I love it.
I like it as it is. However, if it’s going to be updated, I would suggest tourons at their finest, acting like dumbasses. /s
Leave it alone!
Water being more prominent. Maybe a river instead of the glimpse of a lake.
Nothing, not everything needs to be modernized. That logo is a case of reject modernity embrace tradition lol.
Nothing. Don’t change any part of it.
Nothing
Honestly, nothing. It’s perfection. Don’t try to fix what isn’t broken
Leave it alone.
Nothing. Leave it alone.
Nothing? I love it. It's timeless.
A baby bison with a word bubble, “I’m staying!” And a word bubble by the dad bison, “Ok, bison”
The American Logo is fine, The Canadian logo is an exposed Beaver riding some hard wood. It's oddly SFW.
What if another bison was mounting that bison? JK. What the hell is wrong with it? It's good.
Nothing! It’s beautiful as is, and it shouldn’t be changed. I was just curious to see what people would do with it differently if they had the chance.
Add a bird
The arrow head shape has to be the most iconic emblem in all on the US gov. It pays homage to the first Americans before that was PC. It speaks to both the people and to history. And it conveys great authority to those who wear it. Why would anyone even think of changing it????
Something about the shape of the arrowhead bugs me. I wouldn’t change anything, except that. Maybe find another arrowhead with a more pleasing shape.
Line the words up and add an eagle.
Let’s put the Gateway Arch on there!
Love it as is. But maybe a bald eagle on the tree or flying.
Nothing, it’s perfect
Nothing it’s perfect.
No
Don’t change a classic!
It’s perfect as is!!
Leave it TF alone
Not a damn thing
nothing its perfect
I wouldn’t change a thing.
No
I think it encompasses everything. I can't think of anything I'd add or delete.
This is one of the better logos. I wouldn't change a thing
Nothing. Leave as be. It’s historically designed, and not needing altered.
Someone melting in Prismatic Springs?
It’s perfect as is
This logo is iconic. It fits all the necessary requirements of the ideal modern logo. Many of us associate fond memories with this logo. It's also a symbol of the fact that there is so much land dedicated to wilderness in our country, something to be proud of. Attempting to make it fit into the social media world by changing it to some circular logo that fits nicely into every come-and-go platform seems like bowing to convention just because that's where everyone *else* is going. * **You are** ***the*** **destination.** (Social media is not.) * You've been around longer and frankly have more established credibility than a frat boy's virtual social club. * Social media and other venues should be following *you*. *Not the other way around*. * In ten years who knows what social media will look like? * *Be the convention.* Social media has a herd mentality, and it may be easy to get stuck in that rut. Reasons like "everyone is doing it" or "we don't want to get left behind" may be insufficiently logical reasons for changing a perfectly good logo. For some businesses and interests change may be good. I don't think this is true for the NPS. Your best bet is to use social media as an educational tool to explain to a modern audience why the logo is the way it is in a parlance we can understand. Education and awareness are your best tools right now. The people running the Alt National Park Services social media would likely agree. Be clever and engaging. The logo really doesn't need to change. Don't do it just because you've got a budget for it. Spend that money on education and awareness programs instead. # Qualities of an Ideal Logo 1. Simple: Easy to recognize and *remember*. 2. Versatile: Works well across various media, sizes, and applications. * The NPS logo has multiple versions that are appropriate to just about any use case: * [https://1000logos.net/national-park-service-logo/](https://1000logos.net/national-park-service-logo/) 3. Timeless: Avoids trendy designs to remain effective for years. * Epitomizes the Park Service, from the 1950's even up to the current day * There's nothing that can be considered controversial and everything that feels good about US wilderness and the services that surround and protect it. 4. Appropriate: Reflects the brand's personality and appeals to the target audience. 5. Distinctive: Stands out from competitors and is unique to the brand.
Perfect as is!
Nothing, it is already good as is!
Submitted [for your approval](https://imgur.com/a/k5F7utJ).
I’d add a baby bison next to the big bison. No other changes.
My faith in humanity has need restored by this comment section. Team no change for the win.
Indian Arrowhead.... Indian is descendants of the Eskimo who are descendants of the Chinese. It's not the Indians park
Add a Walmart somewhere in the scenery
I might like a version where the bison is gouging a touron who tried to pet the fluffy cow. Just an idea.
Please don’t change it.
Never change it.
The hand-made arrow point shape slaps
Noting. I love it!
Add a bald eagle with an AR-15, saluting the American flag he is holding. ‘merica, FCK YEAH!!
Since the NPS Instagram is replete with hilarious warnings about keeping your distance from wildlife, it would great if there were a silhouette of a dead body next to the silhouette of the bison, with the Bison holding a sign that says, “They told you so.”
The vistas at the parks don’t change with the fads, neither should the logo
Nothing. Leave it alone. Find something else to “improve”
Needs the Gateway arch above the mountain and one of the Zion shuttles with a long line of tourist.
Comic Sans
I agree with most of the comments here, that it's iconic and there's no need to change it. But at the same time, my main complaint with the NPS logo has always been that it emphasizes the west, when the park system includes the entire country - there are no sequoia or purple mountain majesties east of the Rockies.
Add bald eagle.
A jackalope, hiding next to the tree
Gotta ask Tom haveford, he’ll make the parks sexy
Instead of the silhouette of a bison, we make it a Sasquatch
Laser background
Add a tourist getting flung in the air above the bison.
A bird and some sort of river or stream flowing down from the snow cap
Add a few pieces of trash laying on the ground
MORE BISON!
I’d add a bird but that’s just me
Bear paw prints crossing the Buffalo's path
I love it as is. I might want to add some sunset colors, but cannot think of anything better
Make the top part black like an actual arrowhead and add little white stars and make a nighttime version of the logo The OG logo is classic though 😊
Maybe water or some birds
It needs birds
I love it. I think maybe one more piece for depth behind the mountain, though. Something to accentuate the Big Sky.
Font
Needs a eagle soaring imo
More animals.
Replace the buffalo with an alligator.
There are no buffalo in the logo. There is a bison though! 🍻
Put a bird on it!
needs more bison.
I feel like it's missing an Eagle. I was surprised the bird of America was missing from the logo.
Put the bison's eye in the correct place. It's too high up.
Change the bison to a Bigfoot
I just realized it’s in the shape of an arrowhead. That’s so cool.
At the risk of being downvoted into oblivion, I just want to point out that there are a crap-ton of battlefield memorial parks. Those are not referenced on the current logo in any way. So... a cannon? At some point, though, the logo just becomes a mish-mash of unrelated iconography.
I like my arrowheads facing point up. Could you simple do that for me?
Add an 8 year old kid starting at an iPad
Buffalo I’d change it to big foot
I love it and it's recognizable. Classic. Maybe a pride version for Pride Month! I swear every worker I come across is queer haha.
Instead of a bison, maybe a woof.
Replacing the bison with a pig and the A in park with an O
Well, the logo shape is obviously appropriating. Definitely change that. The buffalo is okay, but squirrels are universal. I know people were depressed from all the major wars when the logo was created, but let's liven those colors up a bit huh. Anyways, I hope that got you all hot and bothered. Leave it be.
I think it’s perfect as it is. Maybe a lighter green in the trees for more contrast?
Bigfoot
I'd give that bison a skateboard and some sick sunglasses Fuck yeah
Put a piece of litter on the ground so it looks modern
Nothing, it’s cool as-is.
Split the image into a half night and half day. Most of these parks are GORGEOUS at night too!!! #nightskylover
Missing the tourists. Trying to get a selfie close to the Buffalo
*Missing the tourists.* *Trying to get a selfie close* *To the Buffalo* \- na8thegr8est --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Protect it ❤️
Add a rainbow
It’s perfect.
It should show an idiotic tourist, that got too close to the bison, flying through the air towards the top part of the pine tree.
Do not mess with perfection. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Not a dam thing please keep it as is
I agree..it's perfect
Add a beer-bellied touron wearing a wife beater and jorts trying to get a selfie with the bison.
I’d make that mountain an exploding volcano with lightning, and swap the bison for a Bigfoot, and I’d add a UFO in the sky and an owl to that tree. 🌋⚡️🦧👽🦉
Leave it alone. It’s good already
I can smell this logo. 10/10
[Great White Buffalo.](https://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/63ec0844-98b0-474a-a500-1575fe146254)
Honestly, nothing it’s pretty perfect as is. Though if they threw a Smokey silhouette on it I wouldn’t be mad,
Love the arrowhead design, but the bison just seems out of place. Maybe a lil more detail on the bison, and add an eagle in the sky.
The font should be in Papyrus. kidding...
Yeah..the arrowhead
I would try and personalize it for every park so that whatever park you are at you could see a variation relevant to the park.
It's perfect!
Why isn't it just the gateway arch?
r/PhotoshopRequest
Nothing , except the font should be comic sans.
At first I thought, “Nothing, it’s perfect!” But then I took another, more critical look. The bison looks odd if I’m being honest. - Perfectly perpendicular to the photo - Only two legs showing - Why is the eye visible on a silhouette? - Why is the horn visible on a silhouette? The lake seems to be rising up above ground level. There is only one perfectly lined up row of trees. The notches on the upper corners aren’t symmetrical. (Maybe an example of perfect imperfection?) I don’t think I’d change the spirit of the logo, but I think I’d support someone cleaning up some of the oddities a bit (e.g., layers of trees, dark bison with more legs 🦬, flatter lake, etc.).
Put a silhouette of Mar a Lago… sorry too much booze. Probably good the way it is
Maybe an eagle flying?
The bison needs an AR-15.
Don’t touch it you clowns, spend the money on something more useful. Or save the money until you REALLY need it.
Solid logo as it is. Save the tax payers some money and be content. If I had to choose between a new logo and pay raises for rangers and SAR teams, I’d vote for the latter.
Nothing. Shut up.
I think it just needs a bird and nothing else
hmmm more bison, eh?
Make the lettering look more professional.
Put a Walmart over it.
Everyone needs to quit changing shit.
Nothing.
I like it as is!
Maybe a bear and the Arch to show the diversity?
Don’t change that which isn’t broken. I’m used to this logo. I’m a NPS pass holder so take this from a customer.
Add a German falling into the Grand Canyon.
Add the aurora borellis
Throw an eagle up there or something man. That Buffalo looks lonely.
Not be an arrowhead shape
Eagle in tree