Top Five Tips for Designing Custom Flags

Designing a custom flag does not have to be that difficult, especially if you understand the five essential principles of flag design. The intent of a flag is to represent a group of people, a place, or an organization. Although shapes can differ, the most common flags are rectangular. The following five principles allow everyday individuals to design a flag that truly stands out above the rest.

Simplicity is bliss: In many cases, less is more, which is very much the case for flag design. The rule is that a child should be able to draw a rough version of the flag from memory. As flags become more complex, they become distracting, and it is easy for a person to lose their focus. People tend to remember straightforward and simplistic designs as opposed to ones that are overly complex. For examples of overly complex designs, look at the flag of Turkmenistan or the flag of Tampa, Florida.

Meaningful symbols: Colors, patterns, and images should all relate directly to the message you are trying to send with your flag. If you are trying to send a message of strength and resilience, you may consider using a red or blue color as a dominant color for your flag. Keep the number of colors and symbols to a minimum. Remember: less is more.

Two to three basic colors: Just as you need to pick colors representing the message you want to send, you need to make sure that you only use two to three primary colors. Of course, your logo may have many colors and/or gradients, but the try and think of colors that pair well within a standard color scheme. Contrasting colors or very loud colors can turn people off from a flag.

Seals and language: It is easy to write a message on a flag to get the point across; however, it is often seen as something you should avoid. For good flag design, the symbols and colors should speak for themselves. Avoid using seals, like a state seal, because they tend to be overly complex and hard to see from a distance. The same principal goes for text: limit or entirely eliminate its use on your flag.

Don't copy: One of the best ways to get inspiration for designing a good flag is to look at other flags as examples. What would be a good idea is to take the things you like and emulate them, making your unique flag. You should try your best to avoid duplicating other designs. A good flag should be distinctive and stand out, and the more your flag seems like another flag, the fewer people will notice it.

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If you need assistance designing your custom flag, whether you’re a town, city, college, or business, reach out to our custom department and tell us about your vision!

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