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The EPA Graphic Standards Manual Is Getting Reissued

40 years later, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) graphic standards manual is being reissued. Why? Well, it’s a shining example of how design can be used for public good.

In 1970, when the EPA was first formed to combat the problem of pollution and protect the health of Americans, it had a lot of priorities, and none of them focused on design. As a result, while the work done was important, it was being done very inefficiently, leading to millions in wasted dollars. As a result, they worked with famed New York design firm Chermayeff & Geismar (now Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv) to solve the problem by producing the 1977 US Environmental Protection Agency Graphic Standards System.

Now, Jesse Reed and Hamish Smyth, the founders of the NYCTA and NASA Graphics Standards Manual reissues, and now co-founders of publishing imprint Standards Manual—have partnered with Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv and AIGA to bring it back as a hardcover book. They believe that because the book is relatively unknown in the design world, it’s important to highlight it and ensure this hidden classic gets the praise and views it deserves.

You can support the reissue on Kickstarter here.

After surviving a quarter life crisis, Nanette went from working in healthcare canadian meds to pursuing her loves of design, food and writing. During the day she works in social media marketing, by night she writes for Design Milk. You can find more of her work at nanettewong.com.