Color Inside the Lines

Guidelines that encourage best-in-class flag designs

When designing a flag, guidelines can help maintain a high standard of quality so that a final flag design can proudly stand alongside other famous flags of the world.

“Good Flag, Bad Flag” Design Principles

The North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) plays a leadership role in educating the international community on the topic of flag studies. NAVA published the still-revered reference book on flag design titled “Good Flag, Bad Flag”. The book lays out five basic design principles designers should abide by when working toward a successful flag design.

Learn more about NAVA

  • Keep It Simple

    The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.
    ABOVE: The previous Syracuse city flag was too complex. A child could not draw the city seal correctly from memory.

  • Use Meaningful Symbolism

    The flag's images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.
    ABOVE: The previous Syracuse city flag featured symbolism that, while historically important, was too literal and unsophisticated for a flag.

  • 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.
    ABOVE: The previous Syracuse city flag used the 8 colors shown above, none of which were from the Standard Color Set.

  • No Lettering or Seals

    Never use writing of any kind or an organization's seal.
    ABOVE: The previous Syracuse city flag featured both writing and the city seal.

  • Be Distinctive or Be Related

    Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.
    ABOVE: The previous Syracuse city flag related visually to Argentina’s flag, yet there was no historical significance to a close relationship between them.

Standard Color Set

Originating from the British Navy's "Flags of All Nations,” this standardized set of colors specifically created for use in flags has been used by flag designers around the globe for decades. It is generally accepted that flags should use colors from this set unless a valid reason can be provided for a departure.

Learn more at Flags of the World

Learn more at Wikimedia Commons

  • Red Palette

  • Yellow Palette

    The First Light flag uses “Orange”

  • Green Palette

  • Light Blue Palette

    The First Light flag uses “Azure Blue”

  • Dark Blue Palette

    The First Light flag uses “Navy Blue”

  • White is selected for the "First Light" flag.

    Neutral Palette

    The First Light flag uses “White”