On March 9, 2024, Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, raised a new flag. The state initiated the design process four years ago and residents of Utah submitted thousands of design proposals. Like many other states in the union, Utah felt it was time for a more contemporary and relatable flag. Designers will tell you that designing a flag is very challenging. It gets even more complicated when you are updating an existing design. Why is this update necessary? What should be kept from the original flag, if anything? What are the appropriate symbols to include? What is the best way to get consensus?
The National Vexilology Association (NAVA) is America’s leading authority on flag design. They recommend the following principles when designing a flag:
Keep It Simple. The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory.
Use Meaningful Symbolism. The flag’s images, colours, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.
Use 2 or 3 Basic Colors. Limit the number of colours on the flag to three which, contrast nicely and come from the standard colour 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.
Original flag.
When you apply these principles to the Utah flag, you can see that it scores well. Extremely well. It has a simple design, is easy to copy, has a limited colour palette, no lettering or seals, and is distinctive. Utah is known as the “Beehive State” so the hive makes sense. The eight-pointed star represents Utah’s eight Tribal Nations. But it’s the colour palette that I’m most interested in. The official description of the new flag includes the following rationale for the choice of colours - “Red is for the red rocks of Southern Utah, and symbolizes all of Utah’s natural resources. White represents the snowy geography of our state, blue for our skies, optimism and freedom. Blue represents tradition, power and justice.” The strong use of red, white and blue reinforces the link to the Stars and Stripes. And the gold of the beehive is a rich, aspirational colour. All of the colours speak to the Utah landscape, making it easy for Utah residents to identify with.
Change is difficult for many and some people in the state still stand by the older, more traditional flag. Nonetheless, this bolder, more impactful state flag will excite people, proving that Utah respects the past, but embraces the future.