Over the last few flights, we have partnered with an amazing designer, Jacques Olivier,
to help us create our flight patches. Today, we had him answer a few questions and share some more insight into his design process, the creation of the patches, and his passion for space flight. Let’s jump right into the interview...
Let’s start from the beginning. What first sparked your love of spaceflight, and how has your relationship with it evolved over the years?
I’ve loved space for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I had a model of the Space Shuttle that I played with endlessly, and I was glued to Star Trek: The Next Generation. Living on a farm with zero light pollution, I spent hours staring at the stars and the Milky Way, wondering what was out there. By the time we learned about planets in school, I already knew all their names from the space books I constantly borrowed from the library.
Like many, I drifted away as I got older, but I never lost that connection. In 2021, just after Covid, a stream of SN15 popped up on my YouTube feed. Seeing that big shiny stainless-steel rocket reignited my passion for spaceflight. Since then, I’ve collected models, created space-themed designs, and shared that love with my 8-month-old daughter. I’ve started teaching her about space and rockets, and in my mind, I’m raising her to be the first woman to settle on Mars.
We all find our way back to the stars somehow; it's admirable how you choose to share it with your daughter! Alongside this, you’ve also poured your creativity into designing patches. Of all the patches you’ve worked on, which one stands out as your favorite?
This is a tough one, so I’ll break it into three parts.
First, my favorite patch design is Flight 8, just because it was the first patch I designed for NSF and marked a moment of pride for me, a pride that came from pushing my boundaries.
Second, while not my own design, it’s important to recognize other people’s work, so my favorite design across all patches is definitely Flight 3. I love the look and the story it captured.
Third, my favorite overall design I’ve done, even though it’s not a patch, is my recent Redemption Through Re-entry design. Blending the colors to make the plasma look realistic was a fun challenge that pushed me creatively.
It’s fascinating to hear about your favorite designs and what makes each one unique, while also sharing your personal favorite design. Can you walk us through your design process, from initial inspiration to the finished patch?
My design process starts with research and inspiration. I look at reference photos and inspirational art to get a feel for the design. I then draw a rough draft in Illustrator before adding elements. For patches, it usually starts with choosing a shape and seeing how elements would fit. Then I work on the layout and refine details, focusing on colors, lighting, and shapes to tell the story. For spaceflight designs, I pay special attention to realism and movement. Towards the end, I step back and get feedback to catch anything I might have missed. Overall, it’s a balance of research, creativity, and precision, and I enjoy pushing each project to feel authentic and visually striking.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in graphic design?
Graphic design isn’t always easy. You’ll naturally put a lot of effort and emotion into your work, and sometimes it won’t be approved or liked. That can feel crushing, but it’s never personal, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes you’ll make mistakes, and when they do, the best approach is to own up to them, fix what you can, and learn from the experience. Persistence, patience, and curiosity will help you grow in ways you might not expect.
That's great advice for aspiring designers. What has been the most rewarding aspect of being part of the NSF community?
My favorite part of NSF is the community and shared passion for spaceflight. Being part of it has allowed me to meet people all over the world who I would never have met otherwise, many of whom have become a big part of my life. The support and kindness in this community are incredible. Contributing through patch designs and seeing them appreciated by fellow enthusiasts has been very rewarding. NSF also pushes me to challenge myself creatively, experiment with new ideas, and keep learning. It’s a mix of collaboration, inspiration, and the joy of contributing to something bigger than myself.