Flags are a piece of clothing or of similar material, displaying the significance of a sovereign state, a community, an organization, an armed force, or an individual. Decorating a flag involves design elements in the upper corner of the hoist, termed a canton, which is distinct from the field. A few different types of flags are custom business flags and banners, ensigns, pennants, burgees, etc.
Flags are either designed in one piece in a taper (usually a steel taper or Greek entasis taper) or are made using multiple pieces of clothing to make them able to expand. For the purpose of attending military events, pennants, which are a form of a flag, are used on the upper part of the coat to demonstrate patriotism.
Different types of fabrics are used to create pennants, such as nylon to form nylon pennants, polyester to create poly pennants, etc.
What is Vexillography?
Vexillography is termed the art of designing flags. A well-built flag is simple, meaningful, and easy to recognize. It’s a way of uniting people through various symbols and colors. While designing a flag, selecting a basic layout, adding symbolism, and keeping it simple are essential.
Step 1 – Select a basic layout.
Make a choice regarding the shape of your flag – Mostly, flags are either rectangular or square. Your flag doesn’t necessarily have to be rectangular, but it should be of some simple shape that will make it easy for others to identify it. For example, the flag of Nepal is designed of two overlapping triangles.
The following things should be kept in mind before creating the layout:
1. Decide on the purpose of your flag. Different shapes will be suitable for different forms, such as triangular shapes will be ideal for a pennant flag, rectangular shapes for a sports flag, or the flag of a purely fictional country.
2. Usually, rectangular shapes are the easiest to work with as they provide you with the maximum space to build your design, plus most modern flags are rectangular.
Select a design that is simple but unforgettable
The most common flag designs are bicolors, tricolors, and quarters or use stripes, panels, and borders, even for custom business flags and banners. The flag can be of a solid color with a special symbol in the center.
As an alternative, a rectangle can be placed in the upper left-hand corner, which is called a canton (as depicted in the American flag) that contains a symbol.
1. A symmetrical flag can be created, such as Japan’s flag, or an asymmetrical flag, such as Norway’s.
2. Examine the flags of various sports teams or of other countries to help in the brainstorming of ideas. Showcasing relatable things or things that are different from the norm is generally considered an excellent place to start the creation. An example of related flags are ones with the Nordic cross, such as in the flags of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, etc.
3. If you require a detailed flag, check out some of the state and community flags. Always remember that some state flags are considered bad or poorly made, so don’t get influenced by their design.
Use two or three colors only
As a general rule, use only two or three colors while decorating the flag. Using more colors can make it hard for the viewers to identify your flag. The most commonly used colors on flags are black, blue, green, red, white, and yellow.
Contrast can be created by using light or dark colors. It is very useful to keep the colors related, such as using colors that are next to each other on the color wheel on custom business flags and banners. It will also make them blend together. Colors that complement each other and are distinct from each other flow better.
The following things should be kept in mind while selecting the colors for your layout:
1. Sticking to the most popular colors is not mandatory. Instead, we should select.
2. A color that signifies the place or organization our flag represents.
3. Avoid colors that are too much similar to each other, like red or orange or navy, and dark purple. They won’t look as good.
Step 2 – Adding some significance
1. Deciding on what you want your flag to signify- While decorating a flag, it’s really important that you select colors and images that signify the organization or place your flag represents. For example, while designing a flag for a micronation, fictional land, club, organization, or charity.
Keep the timing of adding symbolism to the flag in mind. Also, remember that a flag for a chess club will be a whole lot different in rules compared to designing a flag for a fictional country.
For example- if a flag for a fishing club is being created, a fishing rod, boat, or a fish as a symbol can be used. Blue color can also be used for representing water.
Select meaningful colors– While selecting which colors to use on your flag, always ensure that the chosen colors have some symbolism attached. Below are some of the meanings associated with popular flag colors.
- Black stands for determination, ethnic heritage, bravery, or defeating one’s foes.
- Blue stands for freedom, vigilance, perseverance, loyalty, justice, prosperity, peace, patriotism, and water.
2) Add an image
Using images and symbols helps in distinguishing the flag from others as well as communicating the meaning or purpose behind the flag.
Step 3 – Keeping it simple
Never include lettering on the flag
Lettering is not necessary on the flag, as colors and symbols are enough.
Conclusion
Decorating a flag signifies patriotism, loyalty, a sense of identity, and belongingness. It is a treasure to be displayed and something to take pride in. You can get such a product from a store that manufactures custom business flags and banners.
