Top 150 U.S. city flags ranked -- your thoughts? - Page 2

RCDC · #21 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 5:37 PM**

Well, I'm partial to DCs and not just because I'm here. It's an extremely simple graphic and yet instantly recognizable even when scaled down to a thumbnail. Chicago's is like that too. The top flags in that list generally follow that idea.

HomeInMyShoes · #22 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 5:39 PM**

The more and more I look at the flags I'm stuck with the realisation that cities shouldn't have flags any more than concrete companies should design buildings.

Cirrus · #23 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 5:52 PM**

If you want to know what makes a good flag, and why certain flags are ranked highly or lowly, then read this guide to what makes a good flag by the North American Vexillological Association. The top-scoring flags conform to all of their rules on flag design.

By the time you get to around #25 or so, you start to see a lot of rule breaking, and a lot of bad flags.

My major pet peeve, confirmed by NAVA as "bad," is any flag with writing. Flags are supposed to be graphical. They should not have writing.

Cirrus · #24 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 5:54 PM**

Also, this really shouldn't be called "top 150 flags". It should be "150 flags we found, ranked". They are missing a lot of flags, both good and bad.

Here's a really great one they are missing: Rockville, MD:

ChiSoxRox · #25 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 6:26 PM**

Dayton's flag: nice airplane, bad label, and is that supposed to be a machine gear around the world?

The suburb I'm currently in has a simple flag, just this logo on a white background:

However, they slap the town name on the flag as well.

mthq · #26 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 7:19 PM**

I think the heavy use of seals and lettering on American city, and especially state flags, have accustomed some to see nothing wrong with them. There's not a lot of flags on an international level that would follow this criteria for flags are supposed to be distinguishable from a distance (especially as a flags original purpose was to fly on ships or identify battalions). Some European cities violate the rules too, but not as much as us Yankees, it seems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Also, gotta love the NYC flag for just being a traditional looking flag....with Mets colors.

Don't forget Knicks and Islanders colors too. The whole blue, orange, white theme is based on the original colors of the Netherlands flag (who of course settled Manhattan)

Ch.G, Ch.G · #27 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 7:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

i do NOT like words or seals or highly intricate designs on flags. flag design should be simple, straightforward, and readable from a decent distance.

Exactly! That's the whole point of flags/standards. You're supposed to be able to take one quick look and immediately and exactly know the place it represents.

American flags suck next to Japanese flags.

Nowhereman1280 · #28 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:12 PM**

Another thing about Chicago flags; hipsters here LOVE it. Its probably the most common tattoo in the city. I've seen dozens of hipsters sporting some variation of the flag around their arm or on their calf. It's commonly turned into a continuous band that goes all the way around an arm or leg. I want to get a Shelby Cobra and paint it with the Chicago flag in the same way they painted the car in Austin Powers with the Union Jack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by novawolverine

Come to DC and you will see the DC flag all over the place. You see the American flag, the state flags, and other country's flags, but the DC flag is also prominent, including on every license plate.

Well I don't think the downstaters would be very happy if we put the Chicago flag on the Illinois license plate! Lol.

Really I think DC and Chicago both have great flags and it's probably a wash between the two of them.

bunt_q · #29 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cirrus

My major pet peeve, confirmed by NAVA as "bad," is any flag with writing. Flags are supposed to be graphical. They should not have writing.

I agree. And also put me in the camp with those who do not like seals on flags.

I am glad to see Denver so high. And not just because I live here, but because it's quite effective as a flag. Always enjoyable to go someplace like Winter Park (owned by the city) and see the Denver flag flying. Not many cities could get away with that and not have it seem ridiculous.

(It's better as a standalone.)

Cirrus · #30 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nowhereman1280

Another thing about Chicago flags; hipsters here LOVE it. Its probably the most common tattoo in the city.

I see a lot of DC flag tattoos too. It's a very iconic image.

The_Architect · #31 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:24 PM**

Plano's flag looks like a now-defunct gas station from the 80's.

novawolverine · #32 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:33 PM**

Toronto has a pretty good flag as well, but is pretty new. It's another w/ blue, white, and red. I'm a big fan of the Canadian flag, though; its design and colors.

futuresooner · #33 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Yeah... this one is awesome!

It looks like it should be a brand name on a cheap Mexican laundry detergent box.

They basically took the Centrum vitamins logo and turned it slightly and tossed Provo on there instead of "Centrum."

RCDC · #34 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

(It's better as a standalone.)

huh? I think the Denver and Colorado flags look real good together. Or did you mean on it's own flagpole?

DC's works with the US flag really well I think:

Ryan Janek Wolowski
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanisland/5639367644/

bunt_q · #35 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:50 PM**

I meant its own flagpole.

But you're right, they do compliment each other nicely.

Ch.G, Ch.G · #36 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:52 PM**

Colorado's flag is great. So is Canada's.

bnk · #37 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Segun

The great thing about the Chicago flag is that it can be incorporated into designs. There's hundreds of variations of them that I've seen around town, including this one:

http://www.zazzle.com/chicago_hip_ho...12680119348359

I know what you mean. You can get the Chicago flag on almost anything you want around here. From shoes to soap and they are working on the soup.

Anyway have we talked about coaches flags yet?

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/coll...304-341003.jpg

HomeInMyShoes · #38 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 8:58 PM**

^Okay, I'm firmly in the Chicago camp now.

ChiSoxRox · #39 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnk

I know what you mean. You can get the Chicago flag on almost anything you want around here. From shoes to soap and they are working on the soup.

Anyway have we talked about coaches flags yet?

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/coll...304-341003.jpg

What's a bear on birth control, the World Series, and that flag have in common? No Cubs!

Here's some more Canadian flags:
Montreal

Vancouver

Calgary (lovely salmon color)

Edmonton

Ottawa

Hamilton

Winnipeg

mthq · #40 Posted **Dec 19, 2011, 10:03 PM**

^I like Calgary's best, though it does look a little dated.

I never really cared too much for the Denver flag as it takes the uncommon path of displaying a landscape rather than lines and stars, but this picture below has really sold me on it

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

(It's better as a standalone.)

The D.C. flag also looks good next to the American... but I'm still with Chicago as my most favorite.