Why NASA Needs Artists

In this talk, Joby Harris, a longtime visual strategist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, reveals how artists play a vital role in the success of space missions. From early mission formulation and data visualization to proposal graphics, mission branding, and public outreach, visual communication is key to making NASA’s complex science and engineering accessible—and unforgettable. Whether it’s designing educational tools or creating an intergalactic viral cat video, Joby shows how art helps bridge the gap between deep space and everyday people.