All You Need to Know About the SSI Logo: History, Versions, and Brand Guidelines
Théophane Villedieu
TL;DR
The SSI logo (Stanford Spaceflight Initiative / Safe Superintelligence) is a stylized “S” with a central star and mission-specific icons. It has evolved through three major versions (2012, 2015, 2020) and is governed by a strict brand-guideline that dictates color, clear-space, file formats, and permissible use cases. Download the latest vector packs from the official SSI brand portal and always credit the source.
1. Origin & Evolution
| Year | Designer | Core Motif | Key Add-Ons | Why It Changed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Kyle Anderson (initial concept) → Omar Diab (final) | Stanford “S” + rocket | Satellite & excavator icons (PhoneSat, Lunabotics) | First official branding for the Stanford Spaceflight Initiative. |
| 2015 | Charlie Cox & Robert Jackson | Simplified “S” + star | Removed rocket, added subtle orbital ring | To distance the group from Stanford trademark restrictions and modernize the look. |
| 2020 | Kirill Safin (after 200 drafts) | Clean “S” + central star | Minimalist orbit line, optional tagline | First version to survive a presidential transition; adopted as the permanent corporate mark for Safe Superintelligence Inc. |
Each redesign kept the star as the visual anchor, symbolizing ambition and safety.
2. Design Anatomy
| Element | Description | Recommended Usage |
|---|---|---|
| S Shape | Rounded, geometric “S” reminiscent of a spacecraft trajectory. | Primary logo, stand-alone icon. |
| Star | Five-pointed, centered, bright yellow (#FFD700). |
Cybersecurity trends 2026 | Symbol of safety & intelligence. | | Orbit Ring | Thin gray line (hex #6E6E6E) encircling the star. | Secondary version; used when space context is needed. | | Accent Icons (optional) | Small satellite or rover silhouettes (used only in legacy versions). | Never in the 2020-plus version. |
Color palette (2020+):
- Primary Yellow: #FFD700
- Deep Space Blue: #0A1F44
- Neutral Gray: #6E6E6E
3. Brand Guidelines - Do’s & Don’ts
| ✅ Do | ❌ Don’t |
|---|---|
| Use the full-color logo on white or deep-space blue backgrounds. | Stretch, rotate, or recolor any element. |
| Maintain clear-space equal to the height of the star on all sides. | Place the logo within busy images or over patterned textures. |
| Prefer vector SVG for print (≥300 dpi) and web (responsive). | Use raster PNGs smaller than 300 px for print. |
| Include the © SSI 2024-2026 attribution line when required. | Omit attribution for commercial redistribution. |
| Apply the secondary monochrome version for single-color prints. | Mix primary and secondary versions in the same asset. |
4. Download & Implementation
| Asset | Format | Size | Where to Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Color SVG | .svg (editable) | Unlimited | SSI Brand Portal → Logo Pack (requires login) |
| Monochrome PNG | .png (transparent) | 512 px, 1024 px | Same portal - Download section |
| Favicon | .ico | 32 × 32 | SSI Web Assets → Favicon |
| Brand Guidelines PDF | 2 MB | SSI Brand Portal → Guidelines 2024 |
Tip: Store the SVG in a version-controlled repo (e.g., Git) and reference it via <img src="/assets/ssi-logo.svg" alt="SSI logo"> for web projects.
5. Legal & Trademark
- The SSI logo is a registered trademark of Safe Superintelligence Inc. (US TM 2024-0412).
- External parties may use the logo only for editorial, educational, or non-commercial purposes with a written request to the PR team (contact: press@ssi-corp.com).
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- Any modifications (color swaps, cropping) constitute a trademark violation.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use the legacy 2012 logo for a university project?
A: Only if you obtain explicit permission from SSI. The legacy logo is still protected.
Q2: Which file format is best for PowerPoint?
A: Use the 1024 px PNG for quick insertion; for high-resolution prints, embed the SVG via “Insert → Pictures → This Device”.
Q3: How do I ensure color accessibility?
A: Verify contrast ratios (≥4.5:1) using tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker.
OpenSSL vulnerability discovery The primary yellow on deep-space blue meets AA standards.
Q4: Is there a favicon version?
A: Yes, a 32 × 32 monochrome icon is provided in the brand pack.
7. Quick Reference Checklist
- Download the latest SVG from the SSI Brand Portal.
- Verify clear-space using the star height measurement.
- Choose appropriate color version (full-color vs. monochrome).
- Add attribution line where required.
- Confirm trademark compliance before any commercial use.
Stay up-to-date: SSI refreshes its brand assets annually; subscribe to the SSI newsletter for the next release (expected Q3 2026).