scientific standards
grow through
collaboration

help shape an open scientific standard through dialogue, research and shared decisions. developed for the german-speaking academic community. designed for international research.

join the first decision

01 / participation

contribute
your perspective

Bring perspectives from research, teaching and academic writing into an open development process.

02 / transparency

understand
the decisions

Follow the reasoning behind proposals, community input and documented project decisions.

03 / common goal

build an open
scientific resource

Help develop a future standard whose rules and essential tools are intended to remain freely accessible.

community decision 001 / visual identity

which visual identity should represent GMS?

The first GMS community decision concerns the visual identity of the German Manual of Style. Four design directions interpret the same scientific ambition in different ways. Review the concepts, choose the logo that best reflects the project and help inform the next design decision.

four visual directionsone selection per participantvariant 2 is the current project mark

choose one logo concept

variant 01

diversity & connection

Two independent shapes recalling geographical contours are related to one another. The symbol represents links between scientific traditions and the idea of developing a shared orientation for academic work from regional diversity.

Scientific diversity
Cross-border connection
Shared identity

variant 02

unity & knowledge

Three organic shapes unfold like the pages of an open book and converge at a common centre. The mark represents the German-speaking academic community and the development of a unified, traceable citation standard.

German-speaking academic community
Unified standards
Knowledge and belonging

current project mark

variant 03

origin & precision

A geographically inspired outline joins flowing, precisely arranged lines. The symbol connects regional scientific identity with methodological clarity and the systematic, transparent documentation of knowledge.

Scientific identity
Precision and systematics
Reliability and structure

variant 04

openness & development

Flowing lines form a dynamic, unfolding shape. It represents science as a continuous process of discovery, in which existing knowledge evolves while clear principles provide orientation and continuity.

Scientific openness
Progress and innovation
Continuity and further development

what happens next

from participation to documented decisions

A community preference is one input, not an automatic scientific or legal approval. The project records how feedback is assessed alongside clarity, reproducibility and rights considerations.

participate

Contributions and preferences are collected during a defined participation period.

evaluate

The results are reviewed with design, usability, accessibility and intellectual-property criteria.

document

The decision, rationale and development status are published in the research journal.

Future research studies, standards proposals and community consultations will follow a similar transparent documentation principle.

scientific standardsgrow throughcollaboration

How the community contributes

contributeyour perspective

understandthe decisions

build an openscientific resource