As a designer, I find it fascinating to think that a simple visual symbol such as a flag can incite so much emotion that it warrants being outlawed by a government. Especially in today’s world where we can create the most complex graphics in human history, how can a few colors sewn on a cloth still be the most dangerous visual force we can create?

On Sept. 11, 2014, over one million people gathered in Barcelona to create a Catalan flag over 11km long to raise awareness of Catalan independence. Sure, Catalonia’s flag isn’t outlawed in Spain. But this shows that even in this day, when human capability is far outgrowing a flag’s simplicity, the use of flags to represent a cause is as strong as ever.

Flags for fighting

Having a visual symbol to rally behind is vital to any movement; especially ones that go against the status quo. I’d even argue that the graphic design of a movement could determine its ultimate success. If too complicated, it can’t be reproduced easily and accurately, limiting its accessability to the masses. Too simple and it could lack meaning and fail to uniquely represent the movement.

In fact, Hitler believed that Germany lost WWI because of the inferior propaganda and graphic design.

Credit where credit is due, the Nazis had one of the best branding strategies in history. Oh and Photo Credit to: http://www.vintag.es/2011/08/colour-of-nazi-flag.html

So a few years later we see Nazi Germany creating one of the strongest, most effective and unforgettable brands in history. Then of course, slapping it on an absurd amount of flags. In “Mein Kampf” Hitler describes the Nazi flag design choices:

“the new flag… should prove effective as a large poster” because “in hundreds of thousands of cases a really striking emblem may be the first cause of awakening interest in a movement.”

So here comes the first bit of useable advice from Branding the Nations:

If you suddenly find your country in political upheaval, become a flag maker.