Authored by Ted Kaye, Secretary of the North American Vexillological Association
Flags are powerful symbols that can inspire, unite and instill pride. Many cities, towns and villages have a municipal flag, whether their residents know it or not. Flags inspire civic pride inside the municipality AND they can serve as powerful brands to the outside.
But city flags are often poorly designed.
So what makes a city flag so successful? And if people don’t like the flag or fly it, what is the best way to change it?
Below, explore 12 points to keep in mind as you consider whether and how to redesign your city’s flag.
The Redesign Process Can Bring Your City Together
1. Cities Do It All the Time
Hundreds of US cities are changing their flags. Since Roman Mars’ 2015 TED Talk “Why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you’ve never noticed”, more than 400 cities have adopted a new flag.
2. Make it Public, Get People Involved
A city flag process can be a feel-good exercise. Involve the public widely; get students and families involved. This is a chance to advance civic identity and build city pride around a popular new symbol.
3. City Flag Adoption is 10% Design and 90% Politics
The flag design is the easy part! Consider the flag change process as a public relations campaign. Dealing with the politics of change can be a challenge, so communication and intentionality about the process are key.
4. Flag Change Does Not Need to Be Costly
A flag redesign process can be easily managed by existing city staff or a volunteer committee. There are usually very few physical flags to replace.
Make Sure the Flag Has an Effective Design
5. A Simple, Memorable Design, Specific to Your City
A good flag can help with city branding and civic pride. Keep it simple, use two or three basic colors and use recognizable symbolism for your city.
6. Don’t Try to Do Too Much
A flag should be very simple. It should be recognizable at a distance, from both sides (any image should be reversible), and memorable. Imagine it as a shoulder patch or lapel pin.
7. No City Seals!
The seal belongs to the government; the flag belongs to the people. In most cases, the city seal is not a recognizable symbol to residents of your city. It is also too detailed to be legible on a flag.
8. No Words!
Writing the city’s name on the flag means the symbolism has failed. Words don’t belong on flags.
Create a Process That Will Deliver Success
9. Make Sure the Decision-Makers Understand Good Flag Design
Educate them on the 5 principles of good flag design from the North American Vexillological Association:
- Keep it simple
- Use meaningful symbolism
- Use two or three basic colors
- No lettering or seals
- Be distinctive or be related
10. Decide to Change the Flag; Don’t Hedge
The decision to change the flag is separate from the decision to adopt a new flag. If you decide to change the flag, don’t include the old flag designs as one of the design options. Retiring the old flag and choosing a new one are separate decisions.
11. Consult the Public, Pick Through Representatives
Pick representatives to make the final decision on a new flag design. Involve the public through participatory methods such as a design competition and invite public feedback on a selection of final designs. You don’t need to have a public vote — that’s the elected officials’ job.
12. Adopting the Flag is Not the Finish Line
Use the opportunity to have a flashy public roll-out of the new design. Put flags on buildings, uniforms and lapel pins. Give out mini flags and sell flag merch. Celebrate your city! To encourage wide use, make sure to not place any copyright restrictions on the design.
Ready for a New Flag?
Register now for “Designing Great Flags for Great Cities” on Wednesday, May 7. This webinar will be led by America’s flag design experts and feature success stories and insights from communities who have redesigned their municipal flags in recent years.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about the organizations like North American Vexillological Association dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
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