The large granite seal – which measures 16 feet in diameter – has been the symbol of the CIA since Feb. 17, 1950. This emblem is composed of the eagle, the shield and the 16-point compass star. The eagle is our national bird and stands for strength and alertness.

Should CIA’s design history have chartered a different course, what seal might we be talking about today? What seal could have been forever enshrined on the lobby of CIA’s headquarters, in place of the infamous eagle’s bust, shield, and compass rose?

Why the sudden departure from classic government website stylings? How did CIA decide on the colors, graphics, and typography? In this article, we’ll dive into the new cia.gov to examine design choices and what they say about today’s CIA.

As the world’s premier foreign intelligence agency, the work we do at CIA is vital to U.S. national security. We collect and analyze foreign intelligence and conduct covert action. U.S. policymakers, including the President of the United States, make policy decisions informed by the information we provide.

From: Brett McKenzie [mailto Sent: Thursday, ,7,t 25, 2011 2:45 PM To: (b)(3) Subject: CIA LOGO Presentation We have seen the CIA and government seals in their colored versions, but in a more formal setting or office when they are made of …

On 1 July 1949, Captain (USN) C.L. Winecoff, CIA Executive, issued a notice to all Agency employees inviting them to submit suggestions for a "suitable design" for the seal. Originality and appropriateness, rather than artistic talent, were the criteria for judging.

We read every letter and online message, directing comments to CIA officials and responding as appropriate. Before contacting CIA, be sure to check CIA.gov for the information you’re looking for. Contact CIA by Postal Mail

CIA is an independent agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior US policymakers. The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (D/CIA) is nominated by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Oliver Lincoln Lundquist, a talented architect and industrial designer, worked for the Office of Strategic Services, CIA’s predecessor, during World War II and led the team that designed the official United Nations emblem.

The CIA seal features several symbols: an eagle for alertness, a shield for defense, and a compass rose for global intelligence collection. We are the Nation’s first line of defense. We accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go.