DESIGNING PART 1
AN INTRODUCTION
A SCHOOL TO VEXILLOLOGY
PART 2
FLAG PROJECT BRIEF
Ronald Reagan IB High School
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
WHAT IS
COMMUNICATION
DESIGN? practice of problem-solving through the
Communication Design is the art and
use of type, space, image and color in
which to convey information/message to
a target audience.
PART 1
AN INTRODUCTION
TO VEXILLOLOGY
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 1
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Flags are made to be reproduced, so the
design needs to be easily drawn and sewn.
This also includes omitting text, which
necessitates double-faced flags.
• Simpler flags can be reproduced in
smaller sizes without sacrificing detail or
accuracy.
• Lower cost.
• Is more easily remembered; able to
draw by memory.
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
Alabama
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
Turkmenistan
Bangladesh
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
Congo
West Virginia
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
Amsterdam Seal
Amsterdam Flag
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 2
USE MEANINGFUL SYMBOLISM
The flag’s images, colors, or patterns should
relate to what it symbolizes.
Did you know: diagonal stripes are often
used by former colonies as an alternative to
the generally horizontal and vertical stripes of
European countries.
DO YOUR RESEARCH. Know what each
graphic element represents. You should be
able to explain the meaning behind each
mark.
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
Libya
Italy
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
Iroquois Confederacy
Navajo Nation
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 3
COLOR THEORY
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 3
COLOR THEORY
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
Virginia
New Mexico
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 4
NO LETTERING OR SEALS
Vermont
Nebraska
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 4
EFFECTIVE TEXT USAGE
Colorado
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 5
BE DISTINCTIVE OR RELATED
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
No. 6 THINGS TO CONSIDER
INCLUSIVITY & CULTURE
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO VEXILLOLOGY
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
PART 2
PROJECT BRIEF
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
RESEARCH
Long list of Vexillologists and designers
on Wikipedia’s page.
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
5 Rules: Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag by Ted Kaye
MIND MAPPING
A Creative Tool for Ideation
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
100 Ideas
8
Ideas
3
Ideas
Best
Idea!
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
Mind maps can be hybrid of both words AND pictures. It
apes the way the mind works, combining creative thinking,
brainstorming, problem solving and note taking. The
combination of words and pictures is six times better for
remembering information than words alone.
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
It allows the mind to move away from restrictive linear
thinking and stimulate radial thinking. This technique has
been proven to be more effective than generating a
straightforward linear list, and is widely being adopted by
design studios as a way to take brainstorming further.
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
CENTER
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
RONALD REAGAN MISSION STATEMENT
To provide superior educational opportunities so students can achieve
their highest potential. Our administrators, staff, parents, and community
supporters work together to make this mission a reality for our urban
teens. Our dynamic high school has experienced skyrocketing success
since its inception in 2003.
MPS MISSION STATEMENT
Milwaukee Public Schools is a diverse district
that welcomes all students, preparing them for
success in higher education, post-educational
opportunities, work, and citizenship.
IB MISSION STATEMENT
The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and
more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To
this end the IBO works with schools, governments, and international
organizations to develop challenging programs of international education
PART
and 2: PROJECT
rigorous BRIEF
assessment. These programs encourage students across
the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
SKETCHING
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
GET FEEDBACK ON YOUR WORK!
PART 2: PROJECT BRIEF
CLOSING
RECAP
• Soft rules
Keep it simple.
Use meaningful symbolism.
Use two to three basic colors.
No lettering or seals.
Be distinctive or be related.
• Conduct research
• Have a message before you design,
remember identify and communicate.
• Get feedback
• Have fun and enjoy the process!
What will your school
flag look like?
THANK YOU
Content
Ted Kaye
Google Images
Nicole Hauch
