> flag design. > specifications: save as: Flag_Lastname.ai dimensions: 11" x 8.5" units: inches color mode: CMYK

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1 > flag design > objective(s): Students will create a custom flag design for themselves, their family, a group or organization they belong to, a geographic location or area, etc. > curricular focus: Students will utilize simplistic design and color theory to create a design that clearly represents the selected topic > specifications: save as: Flag_Lastname.ai dimensions: 11" x 8.5" units: inches color mode: CMYK > instruction: what is a flag? A flag represents a place, organization, or person. The design is most often presented on a rectangular piece of cloth, to be seen at a distance, often moving, and reproduced in quantity at various sizes. Flags began thousands of years ago. They were first used for military purposes on land and then as identifying signals at sea. They evolved to represent royal houses, then countries and other levels of government. Vexillology is the study of flags. introduction to the five principles of good flag design 1. simplicity is paramount (see page 3) the design should be simple enough for a child to draw it from memory good example: Canada bad example: Turkmenistan 2. meaningful symbolism (see page 4) patterns, colors, icons should all directly and clearly represent the intended subject matter good example: Israel bad example: Mozambique 3. limited color palette (see page 5) most flags are two to three contrasting, yet harmonious, colors good example: United States bad example: South Africa 4. no lettering or seals (see page 6) these are difficult to read/see at distances or small sizes good example: Sweden bad example: Mexico 5. distinctive design (see page 7) design stands out from uniquely from other flags good example: Maryland compared to New York bad example: Haiti compared to Lichtenstein slideshow of good and bad flag designs article: well designed flags that break the rules video: simply awful city flags introduction to flag anatomy see Anatomy of a Flag on page 9 introduction to common flag patterns see Common Flag Patterns on page 10 these standards can obviously be customized review of emotive qualities of color guide: MHSCG Color Guide introduction to clean construction in Adobe Illustrator see Clean Construction on page 13 see procedures on page 2

2 > flag design > procedure: select subject and approve with instructor complete Flag Design Planner compile a list of keywords that a significant to your selected subject explore symbols that best represent your selected subject explore symbols that best represent your selected subject save as: Flag Design Planner_Lastname (.doc will be added automatically) begin thumbnails sketches explore various base patterns that take into consideration how many colors you are using common patterns are shown on page 4 but don't forget these can be altered/customized what symbol(s) are you adding and where? minimum three different design approaches be prepared to discuss/support your color and symbol choices approve with instructor begin work on computer > requirements: file file specifications are adhered to properly saved, named and submitted.ai,.pdf, and.jpg files construction entire design fits perfectly within the template created in the Outline layer no unnecessary paths (all overlapping paths of the same color are combined) no empty/unpainted points or paths stroke is expanded to shape all Pathfinders are expanded symbol utilizes visually simple yet conceptually representational iconography color limited color palette (maximum three colors unless express permission by instructor) adjacent colors strongly contrast each other no gradients allowed pattern field must have more than one color

3 > flag design fundamentals

4 > flag design fundamentals

5 > flag design fundamentals

6 > flag design fundamentals

7 > flag design fundamentals

8 > flag design fundamentals

9 > anatomy of a flag Canton Field or Ground Hoist Fly Canton- Any quarter of a flag, but commonly means the upper hoist (left) quarter (e.g. the field of stars in the flag of the United States). Charge- A figure or symbol appearing in the field of a flag. Emblem- A device often used as a charge on a flag. It may be heraldic in origin or modern (e.g. the maple leaf on the Canadian flag). Field- The background of a flag; the color behind the charges. Fimbriation- A narrow edging or border (often white or gold) to separate two other colors (e.g. the white and gold lines of the South African flag). Fly- The half or edge of a flag farthest away from the flagpole. This term also sometimes refers to the horizontal length of a flag. Hoist- The half or edge of a flag nearest to the flagpole. This term also sometimes refers to the vertical width of a flag. Length- The span of a flag along the side at right angles to the flagpole. Width- The span of a flag down the side parallel to the flagpole. [Ratio- the most common width to height ratios are 1:1.5 and 1:2]

10 > common flag patterns

11 > flag design example The official flag of THE MATTINGLY FAMILY The white stars represent myself and my two sons, also known as the Three Best Fri3nds. The stars also represent Orion s belt in the constellation Orion. The white stripes represent how our Christian faith surrounds our family. The sky blue field represents the peace and serenity gained from remarriage.

12 > mattingly's favorites Maryland This is a combination of the hearldry from the Calvert and Crossland families from when Maryland was first settled. State Flags United States I hope I do not have to explain the symbolism. 'MERICA! International Flags South Carolina The design relates to the defense of Fort Johnson in the Revolutionary War. The crescent was used on tropp uniforms and palm trees were used to fortify walls to defend against heavy cannon fire. Tennessee The three stars represent the three regions of Tennessee (east, middle and west). The blue circle designates the unity of the three regions. The blue bar is simply aesthetics. United Kingdom A combination of the flags of Scotland (blue field with the white saltire of St. Andrew), England (white field with the red cross of St. George) and Ireland (white field with the red saltire of St. Patrick). Canada This is a recent design, coming into being in The previous flag became controversial because it incorporated the Union Jack in the canton, so a new design was commissioned. Alaska The Big Dipper is an asterism of a larger constellation Ursa Major, or "big bear," an animal indigenous to the state. Polaris, the North Star, symbolizes Alaska's future. Arizona The 13 rays represent the original colonies. Th red and yellow represent the colors of Spain as well as sunsets. The copper star symbolizes the copper mining in the state. Norway Designed way back in 1821, the Nordic cross was used by other countries (Denmark, Sweden, etc.) to denote Christianity. Red, white and blue had become the colors of freedom, thanks to France. Australia The Union Jack represents how Australia was an English colony. The Commonwealth Star (large 7-pointed on the left) represents the various colonies. On the right is the Southern Cross, a very recognizable constellation in the southern hemisphere.

13 > clean construction > what is "clean construction?" Clean construction is where you work is completely simplified. Text is converted to paths. Strokes are converted to shape. Effects like 3D and Warp are expanded so their paths line up with the intended effect. Overlapping shapes are cut precisely to where they intersect. > why is clean construction important? Basically, simplifying your work as much as possible protects it when it is used by others. As an example, text left as text requires the proper font files on other computers. Another example would be someone scaling your work that contain stroke without having the Scale Stroke and Effects turned on- this would change proportions of your work. > how do I clean construction? expand text to shape - Ungroup your text from any group you've created (go to Object: Ungroup or press Shift + Ctrl + U) - click on your text with the Selection Tool (black arrow) - go to Text: Create Outlines (or press Shift + Ctrl + O) expand stroke to shape - click on all elements with stroke with the Selection Tool (black arrow) (you may need to Ungroup them from any group they belong to) - go to Object: Expand (you may need to select Expand Appearance instead) simplify artwork - artwork elements should not overlap; they should be cut precisely edge to edge (meaning one object covers another, or after stroke is expanded it covers part of the original shape) - select overlapping elements (it may be easier to simply select all) - go to the Pathfinder palette and select Divide (bottom left) this will create cuts where elements overlapped, but retains the color that was on top (thus eliminating the shape that was covered) - run Clean Up this will eleminate unwanted/hidden points and paths go to Object: Path: Clean Up make sure all boxes are checked then select OK - rejoin shapes of the same color that touch with the Direct Selection tool, select an element of a specific color go to Select: Same Fill Color (this will select all other shape areas of the exact same fill color) go to Pathfinder and select Add To Shape Area (top left) (this will combine areas of the same color into one) this may take a while depending on how many pieces need to be recombined - delete any unnecessary anchors/paths caution!- anhor points/paths should only define edges of shape areas sometimes you may end up with "ghost" anchors or even paths within shapes (this is due to the complexity of things that you previously expanded and divided) use the Delete Anchor Point (minus) feature with the Pen Tool until all unnecessary anchors/paths are deleted you may also want to delete anchor point inside straight lines (do not do this on curves) run Clean Up (yes, again) - go to Object: Path: Clean Up make sure all boxes are checked then select OK