BRAND REVOLT™
From revolting to revolutionary

December 2008

Vexillology equity

National symbols, especially flags, give an insight to the power of visual signs, and branding.

People can be irrationally patriotic and emotional viewing their country’s flag.

When new flag designs are proposed the greater population is unmoved. No matter how old school or unfashionable the existing design, no new set of graphics triggers the same associations. They do not make hearts flutter.

Most former British colonies have agonized over their flag designs, especially where the Union Jack is anchored in the canton (or upper left quarter) - a so-called defaced Blue Ensign.

Australia and New Zealand have had their fair share of new proposals.

Australia's flag:

A few of the many design proposals for a new Australian flag - one by Franck Gentil, and another general proposal combining the Australian Aboriginal flag (designed by Harold Thomas in 1971) with the Southern Cross:

New Zealand's flag:

A new design proposal by Kyle Lockwood:

The European Union has triggered multiple concepts.

The EU flag:

The so-called Barcode proposal by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas (designed in 2002):

Four early proposals by Count Richard Nikolaus von Coudenhove-Kalergi, European Movement, and Carl Weidl Raymon:

Iraqis are waiting for a new design and currently live with a temporary design...

© Copyright Hira Verick, Sweden 2008