The question often arises: “What makes that person special enough to take a seat?” However, my focus lies on storytelling through radio, where I share narratives about design—a topic that encompasses everything from architecture to everyday items like toothbrushes, as well as symbols, signage, and typography. My goal is to encourage people to develop an appreciation for the design elements they encounter daily, prompting them to recognize the thoughtfulness behind many aspects of their surroundings. When you approach the world with a design-focused mindset, it transforms into a captivating experience. Rather than fixating on imperfections, you start to see the creativity and brilliance that various, often anonymous, designers have contributed to enhance our lives.
The core of design is improvement and joy, and few items epitomize this better than a striking flag. Happy 50th anniversary to Canada’s flag—a true emblem of beauty and excellence! My fascination with flags runs deep, and there are instances when I introduce the subject in conversation, only to hear disinterest. Yet, once discussions about flags commence, it becomes clear that everyone has a vested interest. Flags evoke strong emotions, which is a remarkable quality. Last Christmas, my family creatively wrapped gifts in flags, including one gift bag styled as the Scottish flag. When I shared this picture online, a user promptly commented in disgust at the Scottish representation, which illustrates the passionate attachment people have toward flags.
The beauty of flags extends beyond mere aesthetic pleasure. A solid grasp of flag design principles can enhance one’s understanding of design in general. For the purpose of this discussion, I will share an adaptation of an episode from my radio show “99% Invisible,” focusing on the key aspects of flag design that stem from the North American Vexillological Association.
Principles of Flag Design
Let’s delve into the five foundational principles of flag design:
- Keep It Simple: A flag should be straightforward enough for a child to replicate from memory.
- Use Meaningful Symbolism: The visual elements should have significance and relevance to what they represent.
- Employ Two to Three Basic Colors: Utilizing a limited color palette from the primary color set can create impactful designs.
- No Lettering or Seals: Flags should avoid any form of text; the imagery should convey the message clearly from a distance.
- Be Distinctive: A unique flag stands out and represents its city or state with pride.
When I relocated to Chicago in 2005, I was surprised to learn that many cities had their own flags. With Ted Kaye, a flag design aficionado, we discussed the principles behind a successful flag design. He effectively summarized his expertise in the guidebook “Good Flag, Bad Flag.”
Chicago’s Exemplary Flag
The Chicago flag embodies all these principles wonderfully. With a simple design featuring a white field, two horizontal blue stripes, and four red stars, it vividly represents the city’s identity. The blue stripes symbolize the waterways—both the river and the lake—while the stars evoke historical events significant to Chicago’s heritage. The city has fully embraced its flag, with its imagery found throughout municipal spaces and even in personal belongings like workout gear and tattoos—indicating a strong sense of civic pride.
What Makes a Bad Flag?
In stark contrast, when I returned to San Francisco in 2008, I examined its flag and found it wanting in terms of design effectiveness. It features a complex phoenix symbolizing the city’s resilience post-disaster, but it also incorporates excessive details and includes a motto and the city’s name, which detracts from its strength. According to the principles, including writing on a flag signals a failure in design communication.
Similar issues plague numerous municipal flags across the United States, many of which fall victim to poor design choices, including unnecessary seals or texts. A prevailing issue is that many seals, created for documents and not for flags, are outright unsuitable.
Learning from Examples
International examples such as the flag of Amsterdam demonstrate how design can be executed effectively without overcomplicating things. Acknowledging essential elements of identity without clutter leads to a more powerful representative symbol.
Take, for example, Milwaukee’s flag—often viewed as a design disaster due to its chaotic composition that merges numerous elements without coherence. Despite several attempts to redesign it, none have successfully improved its standing.
The Call for Better Flags
However, there’s always hope for improvement. Encouraging citizens to voice their opinions can lead to the creation of flags that everyone can rally behind. Advocates for redesign must engage their communities, create excitement, and emphasize the importance of flag design in representing their cities.
As urban centers grow, flags can serve as critical symbols of identity and civic duty. A well-crafted flag signifies community values and aspirations, presenting a cohesive image reflective of modernity and creativity.
The overarching message is clear: cultivating a design-conscious environment can lead to more inviting civic symbols and foster a communal sense of pride. Let’s strive for flags that reflect our cities’ identities, leaving behind the poorly conceived designs that clutter our skylines.
Thank you for engaging with this discussion on flag design!
