2024 Illinois State Flag Submissions
The state of Illinois passed a bill (Senate Bill 1818) to accept submissions for new flag designs. I proudly put together three submissions for consideration.
Good flag design is based on 5 basic principles:
Keep it simple
Use meaningful symbolism
Use 2-3 basic colors
No lettering or seals
Be distinctive or be related
Flag anatomy and life
Learning and utilizing flag anatomy was a big part of my process. The canton area of a flag (top-left) signals a position of honor and the main background color of the flag is the “field”.
Best case for the flight or life of a flag is to be waving in the wind but that’s not always the case. A good flag should still be recognizable in any position — even on a quiet day with no wind.
Main mood board and color
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On Point
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M.O.E.
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Landscape
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On Point • M.O.E. • Landscape •
Concept: On Point
Symbolism:
21st State = 21 star points
State flower (Common Blue Violet) = Violet color
“I” Band
Three bands: Rural, Suburban, Urban
Chicago star position mimics placement in Illinois
This flag features a unique star formation where the sum of its points equal 21 which is a nod to Illinois as the 21st state. To achieve that star point total there are three 5-point stars and a single 6-point star (Chicago). This star location is meant to mirror the location of Chicago within IL. The violet monotone color palette stems from the common blue violet lllinois’ state flower. Three vertical bands in the background represent IL urban, suburban, and rural areas. In the middle a darker band can be seen as the letter “I” for Illinois.
Concept: Middle of Everything (M.O.E.)
Symbolism:
Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Enjoy Illinois tagline “the middle of everything”
Illinois state capitol floor diamond detail
6 sections surround diamond = 6 surrounding states
Hide paintings
This flag features two overlapping horizontal triangles which creates a central diamond section. Inspiration for this includes floor detail in the state capitol, Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma logo, and the Enjoy Illinois tagline “the middle of everything”. Illinois has strong indigenous roots and looping them in this concept was key. In the center is a single 5-point star to represent Illinois. This flag features three colors. Orange, yellow, and navy blue are all inspired by the current IL flag sunrise and shield. Six shapes surround the navy diamond shape and they represent the neighboring states to Illinois.
Concept: Landscape
Symbolism:
State capitol dome colorway
Prairie & Corn state
Agriculture
Art & Architecture
Obama & Land of Lincoln
Balance & Dynamism
This flag is an energetic take on IL being the prairie state. Rays of sunshine meet rows of agriculture on the prairie state horizon. The top sun burst mirrors the sun from the IL state capitol dome stained glass. In its rich history Illinois is known as the “Land of Lincoln” and home to Barack Obama which is also influence for the green rows. In the top-left area (canton) of this flag features a single 5-point star for Illinois.