Ratmas Day 2: Flag Design Contest

DAY TWO: FLAG DESIGN CONTEST

Show some district pride! For today's event, the Veteran Members of HGRPG challenge you to design a flag representing your favorite district(s).

When you think of your district, what comes to mind? The current industry is an obvious choice, but other meaningful elements to incorporate might include its surrounding geography, important historical landmarks, or a representation of its people.

A good flag should ideally be simple yet distinctive, easily recognizable when flown at a distance. The North American Vexillological Association posits the following 5 basic principles of flag design:

• Keep It Simple. The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.
• Use Meaningful Symbolism. The flag’s images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.
• Use 2 or 3 Basic Colors. Limit the number of colors on the flag to three which contrast well and come from the standard color set.
• No Lettering or Seals. Never use writing of any kind or an organization’s seal.
• Be Distinctive or Be Related. Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.

While these are guidelines and not rules (many prominent flags, most notably the gay pride flag, break one or more of these guidelines), they may serve as a good jumping-off point for you when thinking about how to create your flag.

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The contest will begin on December 27th and run for one week.
Each member may submit a maximum of one flag per district. District 13 is included.
You will receive 5 Ratmas Points for submitting at least one flag.

Resources:

• NAVA Home Page
• Online flag creator
• See your flag in action

Pogue has also created an optional handy-dandy photoshop file for you to plug your flag design .pngs into, should you so desire. To use it:

• Download "Flag" folder
• Open flag design template
• Right click on directions layer -> Replace contents -> Choose your flag design image
• Readjust your image as needed

Submission form:

Member name:
District:
Image of flag:

Description of symbolism: