United We Brand –
Senior Thesis Project
Thesis Statement:
Since the 12th Century, heraldry and vexillology have been used in Western Culture as a form of national identity. This tradition was carried over to the United States and is seen in the form of our state and national seals and flags. However, for many states their seals have not been updated since achieving their statehood. With the ever changing culture and history of each state I propose essentially a rebrand of seals and flags.
Process & Research:
Due to the limited 4 month time frame of the project I selected each state based on 10 federal districts of the United States. Each state was also chosen to provide diverse history, culture, geography, and industry. Researching and sketching for each state based on its history, culture, nicknames, geography and facts unique to said state. Some states involved researching the history behind their original seals and flags to understand how the state wanted to represent itself. It was also helpful to keep in mind how the seal would translate into the flag design.
Parameters: Seals
For the parameters of the seals, inspiration was taken from natural geography of states, facts unique to state, state nicknames, and symbolism from original seal. The seals also needed to work at small scale, in black and white, and feature a design of stars to tie the state back to the federal government. The typeface used is Public Sans (https://public-sans.digital.gov/) a typeface designed by the federal government in order to further unify the seals in style.
Parameters: Flags
For the parameters of the flags, they must work in a cohesive system with the seals. The flags must follow 5 rules of vexillology: 2-3 basic colors, no lettering or seals, be distinctive but relative, meaningful symbolism, and kept it simple (A Child should be able to draw it from memory).
Stars and Stripes: George Washington’s Crest (States Namesake)
Pinecone: Western Hemlock (State Tree)
Green: For Evergreen State
Bear: State Animal
Gold: “Golden State”
Red Star: Original Flag (Lone Star Flag)
4 Poppies: State Flower/ 4 Mountain Ranges
Bee: Beehive State
Representative of Industry
5 Stars: 5 National Parks
Each County of the State has a State or National Park
Pelican/ Fleur de Lys: (Pelican State + King Louis XIV, of France
3 Red Stars: United States + 3 Drops of Blood from Legislation
Historical descriptions of the blue flag include the three drops of blood, described as a sign of the state's willingness to sacrifice itself for its citizens.
Gateway to the West (St. Louis Arch)
Taken from Moon of Original Seal
Star is symbolic of entering the West
2 stars: Upper and Lower Peninsula
Blue over Blue: Michigan Shorelines
Antlers: State Animal (White tail Deer)
4 stars: 4th State
Peach: “Peach State”
Showcases States strong agriculture
Colors: Peach State
Flower: Dogwood Blossom
Modeled after Tudor Rose for Q. Elizabeth I (States namesake)
10 Stars: 10th State
Spear and Sword: Original Shield
11 Stars: 11th state
Torch: Statue of Liberty
Liberty personified in original seal
Green Stars/ Laurel: Empire
Colors: Blue from Original Seal, Green from Statue of Liberty
6 stars: 6th state
Arrow pointing down (symbolic of Peace) (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty)
Colors (State Colors, from original seal)