Vexillology in RP

[Highton]

Vexillology in RP
with Highton
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Hello! My name is Highton, and I am an RPer in TNP’s forum continuity, Eras. This article will go into the role of vexillology in RP, and some aspects of flagmaking that can be important in an RP setting. I have designed many flags over the past few years, whether they be for aspects of my own nations or for others on Discord or the RMB.

A flag is arguably the most important piece of worldbuilding a nation. It is a symbol of the nation, and it represents it on a global stage. The flag will often be the first thing you associate with a country, and it can be the first impression of you on others. For these reasons, it is important to have a good flag, both aesthetically beautiful and representative of the nation. There are a few well known basic rules of flag design, plus a few more tips that I will also go into later relating to the RP side of things.
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The Basic Rules of Flag Design

1. Keep it simple
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Keeping the design simple is always an important aspect of flag design. While it is usually specified that you should be able to distinguish a flag flying in the wind, in the case of RP is should be simple enough that you could distinguish it in a small size such as an emoji on Discord or as a part of a worldbuilding image. In addition, do not make elements and symbols so small that they are hardly visible. A good idea is to use a simple background, either a field, bicolor, or tricolor, and include one striking and recognizable, yet simple, symbol in the middle.​

2. Use meaningful symbolism
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Using meaningful symbolism is perhaps one of the most important of these rules; if what is on the flag represents nothing, then the national symbol lacks meaning. Consider which colors make sense based on the culture and government of your nation. In RP, you also have the ability to give symbols a new meaning as they relate to your nation: feel free to include these on flags and explain what they represent in your nation. Ideally, do not use more than one major symbol on your flag, as it will make it less distinctive. Once you have designed your flag, you should be able to explain the meaning of every element of the flag.​

3. Use no more than a few basic colors
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It is import for flag designs to be kept simple, as shown in the first rule; for similar reasons, it is important to keep the colors simple. It is very important to make sure that the colors contrast well. If you are using three colors, I recommend one light color, one dark color, and one neutral color. As mentioned previously, each color should have meaning. There are certainly exceptions, and some flags can look good with more than three colors, but in general, limiting their number is a safe bet. It is best not to use multiple shades of the same color.
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4. No lettering or seals
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In general, keeping letters and seals/coats of arms off of flags is a key rule. Seals can be overly complex compared to the simple nature of good flags. In addition, it is pretty much impossible to make out the seals in a smaller size as mentioned in the first rule. One of the worst types of flags are the infamous “shield on field” flags, which are simply a blank field with a coat of arms or seal in the center. These should be avoided at all costs. For the most part lettering should be avoided as well as it cannot be read in a smaller size. On NationStates, there are many flags which not only use text on the flag but also use unorthodox or silly fonts. At all costs, avoid Comic Sans, Brush Script, Arial, Impact, American Typewriter, and other inappropriate fonts if you absolutely must include lettering.
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5. Be distinctive or be related
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Your flag is an opportunity to stand out amongst the rest. Make it something interesting. Experiment with different designs before settling on your final choice. Make it unique and symbolic of your nation. Try a set of colors not resembling any real-life country- these can sometimes work out very well. It should be distinctive and not resemble any real-life flag too closely. Be creative! You can collaborate with other RPers to use common symbols or even similar designs but only do this if it makes sense from an in-character standpoint.​

Other tips for RP flags​

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  • Try several different arrangements of the colors that you have chosen- this can be done by using the color randomizes function of FlagMaker. You never know which combination will look great.
  • Be realistic: if you are creating a flag of a government department or low-level subdivision, it may simply be a “shield on field” flag or an ugly design since these flags tend to be this way.
  • Try looking at your flag on a FlagWaver- this shows you how it would look flying in the wind. Some flags do not work as well flying in the wind, so this is a useful tool. https://krikienoid.github.io/flagwaver/
  • If creating a tricolor, try a light or neutral color if the sides are both darker colors.
  • If you use two similar colors, make sure there is a border which contrasts both so that you can tell where the colors’ boundaries are.
  • Have fun. Be creative. Take inspiration but do not plagiarize. Making flags can be an enjoyable experience to create a symbol of a nation and create a work of art.

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Spoiler: Bibliography

Kaye, Ted. Good Flag, Bad Flag. North American Vexillological Assoc., 2006.