WASHINGTON — The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today unveiled a new visual identity system to create a stronger presence for the institution, enable improved digital communications, and support greater consistency across their publications, advisory activities, and other products.

The new design elements are contemporary but also reflect the rich visual heritage of the National Academies. The logotype, for example, echoes script on the historic National Academy of Sciences building across from the Lincoln Memorial on Constitution Avenue, and complements the existing identities of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine. The new visual identity also includes a revised color scheme and designs for the National Academies Press, websites, reports and other publications, and related communications products.

Created in partnership between the National Academies design team and the boutique design firm Metaforce, the new designs will create a unified identity for the National Academies across all of their communications vehicles. The design system will also help readers more easily differentiate among types of publications, including consensus study reports, workshop proceedings, and dissemination products.

“The new design system will reinforce the National Academies’ reputation as a distinctive and authoritative voice on society’s most pressing questions about science, engineering, and medicine,” said David May, chief communications officer for the National Academies.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.