Federal Design Improvement Program Logo History

In May 1974, the Graphics Improvement Program, under the direction of Jerome Perlmutter, set forth to improve the quality of visual communications and the ability of governmental agencies to communicate effectively to citizens. The prototype federal graphics standard corporate system was designed by John Massey for the Department of Labor. The logo design is composed of two interlocking letter L's, forming a diamond configuration around a star. By striping the L forms, Massey expressed the American flag's stars and stripes .