City flag lacks good design principles

Jax Friend · May 17, 2015, 01:06:26 AM

In a recent Ted Talk, Roman Mars discusses good and bad design principles of city flags. He also speaks to the power of a well designed flag. Unfortunately for Jacksonville's current city flag it violates some of the more important guidelines.

Principles:
1. Keep it Simple*
2. Use Meaningful Symbolism
3. Use 2-3 Basic Colors
4. No Lettering or Seal*
5. Be Distinctive (or be Related)

*rules Jacksonville's flag breaks

Roman Mars Ted Talk:
https://embed-ssl.ted.com/talks/roman_mars_why_city_flags_may_be_the_worst_designed_thing_you_ve_never_noticed.html

My response to Roman Mars guidelines in relation to Jacksonville's city flag:

There has got to be something better suited than the status quo. I'm sure a few of you out there have even better ideas for a new symbol of Jacksonville.

acme54321 · May 17, 2015, 07:50:32 AM

Better scrap the state flag too then while we're at it

Noone · May 17, 2015, 08:37:59 AM

It needs a few holes in it.

Visit Jacksonville!

Jax Friend · May 17, 2015, 09:03:59 AM

4 real ya'll...

This guy makes a compelling argument for the positive feedback loop a well designed flag can establish. It is a visual tool used to build identity and culture, which both lack in our city.

spuwho · May 17, 2015, 09:37:52 AM

The state flag is modeled after the battle flag of the House of Bourbon. The King of Spain was from Bourbon and when he married the Queen he brought his battle flag with him.

Its the same Spanish flag that flew over the castillo's of La Florida.

I consider the city flag quite progressive as flags go as it dispensed with many flag traditions. This represented the "bold new city" approach. The sun rising in the background shows we are on the First Coast. Obviously the sillouette of Andrew Jackson represents our naming.

Everyone is a critic and has an opinion, but I think its the progressive look that makes it subject to more critique than others.

I-10east · May 17, 2015, 12:05:40 PM

5/17/15 has gotten off to a slow start...

InnerCityPressure · May 17, 2015, 09:54:42 PM

Lose everything in the orange section - the "City of Jacksonville" wording and image of Duval. Keep the rest...

mbwright · May 18, 2015, 09:28:50 AM

I have never liked the flag. Bad choice of colors.

vicupstate · May 18, 2015, 10:20:08 AM

I like the flag, except for the colors. That was a popular color scheme at the time, but of course, that changes. The COJ website version (blue and silver) looks great.

ProjectMaximus · May 18, 2015, 11:46:52 AM

Jax Friend · May 18, 2015, 03:23:02 PM

Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 18, 2015, 10:28:55 AM
TED Talk reference AND its about graphic design? UGH. Pretension and uselessness doubled. Bleh.

I'm I allowed to just say you are stupid, or will that get me kicked off?

Jax Friend · May 18, 2015, 03:50:57 PM

Thank you, Stephen. That was truly insightful. I guess I'm more concerned that anyone would think that this is an issue better left unaddressed. The design of the world around us is all we really have. The idea of not caring about symbols like flags is unimaginable to me.

Noone · May 18, 2015, 09:02:03 PM

Quote from: InnerCityPressure on May 17, 2015, 09:54:42 PM

Lose everything in the orange section - the "City of Jacksonville" wording and image of Duval. Keep the rest...

Follow me to the Equestrian Center!

coredumped · May 18, 2015, 10:38:10 PM

Lol Noone, that's pretty funny.
Stephen will give directions via JTA

mtraininjax · May 19, 2015, 09:57:29 AM

Interestingly enough, when we worked with the City on their Gen 1 ID Cards, we had to work Parks and Rec to find an image that actually had Andrew Jackson's head. Many of the images out there did not have his head in them. Probably some flags the same way too.