FLAG DESIGN

A person who studies flags is called a vexillologist, and a person who designs flags is a vexillographer. Vexillologists and vexillographers have common standards and “rules” as to what makes a flag design appealing or not.

Here are the North American Vexillological Association’s five principles to a good flag design:

Keep It Simple

The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.

Use Meaningful Symbolism

The flag's images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.

Use 2 or 3 Basic Colors

Limit the number of colors on the flag to three which contrast well and come from the standard color set.

No Lettering or Seals

Never use writing of any kind or an organization's seal.

Be Distinctive or Be Related

Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.

According to these rules, these are some "good" flags:

Blue and red flag of the dominican republic

Dominican Republic

green and red flag of bangladesh

Bangladesh

Blue flag of alaska with big dipper on it

Alaska

And these are some "bad" flags:

Green flag of dominica with an emblem in the middle

Dominica

Red, white and green striped flag of the bey of tunisia

Bey of Tunisia

blue flag of virginia with a shield in the middle

Virginia

Of course, these rules can be broken and have many exceptions.

the colorful flag of South Africa

The many colors on South Africa's flag each have deep symbolic and historical meanings.

Flag of California with a brown bear on it

The "CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC" text on California's flag makes this design memorable and iconic.