Why all new flags look the same
4 hours ago
- #design critique
- #vexillology
- #urban identity
- The article critiques the modern vexillology movement inspired by Ted Kaye's 'Good Flag, Bad Flag' principles, arguing it leads to homogenized, minimalist flag designs.
- Flags redesigned under these principles, such as those for Tulsa, Reno, and Topeka, become indistinguishable, featuring navy fields, white, gold, suns/stars, and wavy lines.
- The movement is compared to historical Thuggees in India, with flag enthusiasts subtly infiltrating municipal processes to advocate for redesigns based on perceived flaws like 'seal on a bedsheet' designs.
- While old flags like Milwaukee's are criticized as chaotic, they retain unique local character, unlike the generic replacements promoted by the movement.
- The article references concepts like 'refinement culture' (as noted by Paul Skallas) and 'Seeing Like a State' by James Scott to describe the loss of local identity in favor of standardized, legible designs.
- A counterpoint from Roman Mars highlights the potential of well-designed municipal flags as open-source civic symbols that can foster community pride and identity, citing examples from Washington DC and Chicago.