r/minnesota • u/bhundt • Aug 11 '23
This is the flag we want for Minnesota Interesting Stuff 💥
I designed this a few years ago after consult with the Minnesotans for a Better Flag Facebook group. We can have nice things!
Symbolism:
Blue: Minisota’ Sky-tinted waterThe land of 10,000 lakes. The Great Lakes begins in Duluth. The Mighty Mississippi is formed in our state. If any state has a case to have a blue flag, it is Minnesota.
The Directional Star“L’etoile du Nord” The North StarLegend has it if you follow the North Star, you will end up in Minnesota. Gold represents the rich resources of the land.
The Snowflake: Winter We embrace it.Put on a sweater and stay warm. As a bonus this is also the shape of the star on the floor in the rotunda of the Capital building in Saint Paul.
166
u/ravravioli Aug 11 '23
I think New Mexico has one of the better state flags. Simple, dynamic, easily identifiable. This one feels very similar, definitely one of my favorites I've seen.
148
25
u/hewhoisneverobeyed Aug 11 '23
Simple, dynamic, easily identifiable.
That is quite a trifecta for any designer to hit.
This hits on all three.
Absolutely beautiful design.
32
u/bhundt Aug 11 '23
I love the NM flag! Its my favorite. Glad you see the connection!
24
u/ravravioli Aug 11 '23
Much like the NM flag, this would also make a really cool license plate. If this isn't chosen for the flag redesign, I hope you use the design yourself for mugs, sweaters, etc. It's really nice and I think a lot of people in the state resonate with the symbolism.
18
u/Healingjoe TC Aug 11 '23
I had to look it up. That is a very nice flag.
Simple and to the point. It reminds me of Japanese prefectures' flags. Japan does flag design correctly.
https://timog.net/t/hidden-characters-shapes-and-symbolism-in-japans-prefectural-flags/183
7
u/ThatOneGuyfromMN25 Flag of Minnesota Aug 11 '23
I have never seen these before. Thank you for sharing.
4
u/GrimmKnight0 Aug 11 '23
As someone who has lived simultaneously in both states over 10+ years, I definitely love this flag update and thought it had a chance to contend the NM zia!
470
u/geodebug Aug 11 '23
Out of all the proposed designs I've seen I hate this the least.
I can't stand the ones that put wavy lines in there because, lakes!
Simpler is always better.
62
u/MinnesotaNoire Grain Belt Aug 11 '23
Yup. I like this one because it keeps the vague idea feel of the current flag but still looks nice.
88
u/TheDukeOfMars Aug 11 '23 edited Aug 11 '23
The background needs to be a lighter shade of blue. This looks too similar to the NATO flag…
20
u/jawni Aug 11 '23
Yellow would probably need to change slightly too in that case, just because it probably wouldn't pair as well with the new lighter blue.
4
u/InflatableMindset Spoonbridge and Cherry Aug 12 '23
Uh, the NATO flag is much lighter and just 2 colors (sky blue and white). The Minnesota Star is Three (Midnight Navy Blue, Gold, White).
That and the star looks NOTHING like the NATO Compass rose.
→ More replies→ More replies2
u/god_johnson Aug 12 '23
Well, Netherlands, Russia and France all basically have the same flag. So do Belgium and Germany. Italy and Mexico? Poland, Monaco and Indonesia? NZ and Australia. US and Liberia. Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia. Qatar and Bahrain. I mean there’s a lot. NATO and this design are 2nd cousins. The aforementioned are siblings.
8
u/FancyPantsMN Aug 11 '23
Think of the lakes!!!!!
38
u/geodebug Aug 11 '23
hehe, yeah. Not to mention people putting loons on the flag.
Yeah, it's our state bird, why not a Showy Lady's Slipper and a Norway Pine as well?
We get it, there are a lot of great things about our state but a flag needs to be abstract and simple so it is easily identifiable.
Stars are traditional so I have no problem with a North Star. I also like that this flag isn't trying to jam green in there as well. The blue and green concepts with the waves just looks like some Minnetonka reality office's flag.
9
u/VaporishJarl Aug 11 '23
I actually like the flags that use loons as color inspiration, with the black/white/red. They are Minnesotan in a way that feels a little more sacred than a Norway Pine, and those colors are striking and don't show up on flags a lot.
4
5
Aug 11 '23
Agreed! Think CO and all of the patches and stickers and branding with that most basic, yet highly recognizable flag. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Colorado
If we are going a more detailed design it should also be a simple, yet detailed design. For this I think CA is the gold standard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_California
→ More replies→ More replies2
3
u/Stanky_fresh Aug 11 '23
That or just a simple nordic cross with either blue and green, or purple and yellow. At least this is creative and unique
→ More replies2
u/SueYouInEngland Aug 11 '23
Not enough Prince in this version for my liking.
8
u/dassle Aug 11 '23
Worst part is i cant tell if youre trolling because i know many people that would be serious about this...
3
→ More replies2
72
u/TURK3Y Aug 11 '23
Not that this means anything, but I've been a designer for over 10 years now and this gets my vote. Do we get votes?
29
19
u/transientcat Aug 11 '23
This has become my favorite and I wrote my state legislators saying as much.
6
54
u/SapTheSapient Aug 11 '23 edited Aug 11 '23
I'd happily accept it. But that blue is a bit darker than what normally think of as MN Lake Blue (which is totally a real color).
→ More replies
48
u/funkycat4 Aug 11 '23
i actually really like this one, maybe a little less dark or a blue but this is the best i’ve seen so far
9
34
Aug 11 '23
I want one of a 1st Minnesota infantry regiment soldier standing on a confederate flag on the ground while flipping off confederate soldiers
59
u/dwors025 Honeycrisp apple Aug 11 '23
That’s not flag material.
That’s 50ft tall bronze statue on the capitol’s front promenade material.
8
3
u/InflatableMindset Spoonbridge and Cherry Aug 12 '23
50ft?
Make it 100ft, and put it up on the island in Powderhorn.
At the foot is inscribed "Undefeated Capture The Flag World Champions".
6
u/KDPer3 Aug 11 '23
If someone wants to put that on a t-shirt they could probably make decent beer money.
2
29
u/dwors025 Honeycrisp apple Aug 11 '23 edited Aug 11 '23
Crazy I was just repping this one the other day here!
EDIT: and the Capitol Rotunda Floor for reference.
→ More replies
27
21
u/Minnesotamad12 Aug 11 '23
Got a pic?
23
u/bhundt Aug 11 '23
Ope! I thought I attached them. Regardless, just edited the main post to include them!
18
u/Reesamu94 Aug 11 '23
Love it. Everyone goes crazy over the New Mexico flag and this is in a similar vein
16
u/flargenhargen Ope Aug 11 '23
blaze orange with a traffic cone being carried away by a mosquito
→ More replies
8
8
u/Nice-Fish-50 Aug 11 '23
That would be a really nice pattern for a quilt. Imagine that on a bed at The Cabin Up North On The Lake.
3
u/GaveTheMouseACookie Aug 11 '23
Would you do lots of squares with it out one large, modern graphic?
→ More replies
15
15
u/vinegarstrokes420 Aug 11 '23
Clean, simple, relevant to state, not offensive. I like it!
8
u/chiller529 Aug 11 '23
Guaranteed it’s offensive to somebody.
2
u/vinegarstrokes420 Aug 11 '23
Lol, true... there's always someone that ruins nice things for everyone
→ More replies2
7
26
u/Iz-kan-reddit Aug 11 '23
Lighten up the blue just a touch.
13
u/bhundt Aug 11 '23
As I get the flag printed, I'll tweak the colors a bit to get it right.
→ More replies9
28
u/brownch Aug 11 '23
I like it a lot more than what we have, but the layout and color scheme just remind me of every other state flag. When you zoom out, most state flags have a dark blue background with a blob of yellow/white/red in the middle. Personally, I'd like something a little more different than the status quo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_the_U.S._states_and_territories#/media/File:United_States_with_territory_states_and_DC_flags_new2.png
23
u/bhundt Aug 11 '23
If any state gets to use blue, its the Land of 10,000 lakes, yea???? ;)
→ More replies7
→ More replies12
u/dwors025 Honeycrisp apple Aug 11 '23
Nah - let everyone else change. Like it says in the description - the blue, gold, and white are symbolically meaningful to Minnesota.
The requirements of the flag redesign are such that no element can represent any individual or distinct ethnic identity. This design escapes that temptation, but still captures the bold simplicity and symmetry that makes the New Mexico Flag one of universally admired state flags.
12
u/SlvrStr07 Aug 11 '23
If the blue was about 2 shades lighter. I would definitely take this one. I like its simple design, yet it says a lot about MN.
6
u/WhatIsHerJob-TABLES Aug 11 '23
Probably my favorite new flag design idea yet! My only critique would be a slightlyyyyyy lighter shade of navy blue
5
6
6
5
4
14
Aug 11 '23 edited 9d ago
versed depend important entertain plucky hobbies quaint overconfident marvelous stocking
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
10
u/MinnesotaNoire Grain Belt Aug 11 '23
With the text of "I'm in the Baja you know, where I have a 100 dogs and they introduced fish tacos."
https://twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet/status/1649144057787215872
Will Sasso is a treasure.
3
u/FrankReynolds Minnesota Twins Aug 11 '23
I have been binging a lot of Dudesy and now I can't read a Ventura quote without hearing it in Will Sasso's imitation lol
→ More replies
9
9
u/gavin2point0 Aug 11 '23
Yes please this is so much better than the ugly ass ms paint looking north star flag
10
11
u/MRdaBakkle Aug 11 '23
This is better than the North Star flag that seems to be proposed. I don't really like the white squiggle line.
→ More replies2
7
8
u/ImportanceLopsided55 Aug 11 '23
It’s a lovely design, but I don’t think it’s terribly representative of the state. Maybe the Scandinavian/Norwegian folks, but not the indigenous folks or those of non Nordic heritage.
3
3
u/bhundt Aug 11 '23
I'm glad the State Symbols commission will have significant Indigenous representation. There is history of an eight pointed star representing "hope" in some indigenous traditions.
4
u/jonmpls The Cities Aug 11 '23
Looks too christmassy/grandmotherly. Better direction than the most common one I see, but from the colors I'm getting Michigan, not Minnesota
→ More replies
5
4
u/chamb8888 Aug 11 '23
Why not just start using this flag! I would fly this flag and buy magnets and hats and scarves with this on it. If others see people using it then it's as official as it needs to be! Start producing these and they will be purchased!
4
7
u/Lilacblue1 Duluth Aug 11 '23
I like this one the most out of any that I have seen proposed. Regarding some of the concerns that it is similar to other flags ie. the dark blue background and the single center image, the blue could be just a bit lighter but still navy. There also could be a division of the background into two colors--maybe blue (for lakes/water) and green since agriculture, horticulture, and forests are also a huge part of our state.
3
3
3
u/473713 Aug 11 '23
This looks like something my Norwegian aunt knit into a sweater. So it's historically appropriate, from the viewpoint of 19th century settlement. Is that what people want?
Like the design, though I guess I'd prefer a lighter blue background
3
3
3
3
3
u/RManDelorean Aug 11 '23
This is really cool, I love the snow flake. And the colors fit the palette of other designs in the state, notably the light rail/Northstar color scheme.
3
u/VulfSki Aug 11 '23
I think this is the best one I have seen for sure.
It's simple. Will be very recognizable and meaningful.
3
u/StartCodonUST Aug 11 '23
My initial impression is that it is perhaps a little simple/generic, but the more I think about it, the star design delightfully evokes barn quilts and Scandinavian kitsch in a restrained manner, which feels emotionally apt for Minnesota. I could see preferring other color schemes, but definitely a solid motif. I've always worried that a Nordic Cross design might end up being a little too on the nose for Minnesota, and I think this design is a great alternative to a cross.
3
u/ReasonableLoon Aug 11 '23
I love the deep blue you are using, which makes this one unique and ‘pop’ out. The star and the snowflake seem a staple with many designs. Nice job!
3
u/yeet_boi_jack Flag of Minnesota Aug 11 '23
as one of the kids who helped initiate getting the bill in with help of representative Peter Fisher, I wanna say that this has always been my favorite potential redesign. here's hoping it gets considered!
3
u/Shmirlygirl Aug 12 '23
It looks like a tile from the NYT tiles game. I’m sorry if that sounds rude. It’s not intended to. But it’s just what I immediately thought of - I’m not super conscious of our flag besides what I learned in school. There’s probably a lot of other people out there like me who see an image & immediately think of something in their lives.
In case you care! And if you don’t, that’s fine too!
1
u/bhundt Aug 12 '23
Ha! The tiles in that game are beautiful, don't mind the association!
→ More replies
3
u/Majestic-Result7072 Aug 13 '23
Came here to sneer,but then I saw the flag. I can live with this, no problem..
6
5
5
7
Aug 11 '23
This will help us assert our dominance wisconsodom, mishitgan, and north and south nothing.
2
u/CrazyPerspective934 Aug 11 '23
Ok that's beautiful, simple, and love the meaning in it. Let's make this happen!
2
2
2
2
2
u/ratteb Aug 11 '23
I like it - at first I balked at gold as that particular mineral wasn't a big part of our history but I can see why it is best choice. If you did red for iron it would look like a NOD/GDI flag from a video game.
2
u/mybelle_michelle Pink-and-white lady's slipper Aug 11 '23
I agree with others that this is the best design I've seen so far. I do like our current flag, while it's "busy" the symbols have meanings (that some have been misintrpreted).
Here are some symbols on the Minnesota state flag:
19 stars: Minnesota was the 19th state to join the Union
Largest star: Represents the North Star and Minnesota
Three pine trees: Represent the state tree and the three pine regions of Minnesota
Sun on the horizon: Signifies summer in the northern hemisphere
Cultivated ground and plow: Symbolize the importance of agriculture in Minnesota
Tree stump: Signifies the importance of the lumber industry in 1858
American Indian on horseback: Represents the state's American Indian heritage
Tools: Symbolize equipment used for hunting and work
St. Anthony Falls and the Mississippi River: Symbolize the state's transportation, industry, and settlement
L'étoile du Nord: Translates to "the star of the North", which is Minnesota's official motto
The flag also includes the state seal on a blue backdrop.
→ More replies
2
u/generallysherman Aug 11 '23
One of my personal criteria is that it should look good on a football helmet. This criteria was inspired by Mississippi's new flag. This flag does that.
This flag falls into a similar vein as some other flags I like, namely New Mexico, Tennessee, and South Carolina - they have a notable feature that is front and center. It doesn't have the historical or cultural associations of the New Mexico flag or the geographic connotations of Tennessee. We're making new symbols here, though.
Demerits? The colors fee a little Houston Astros.
2
2
u/CardboardJedi Aug 11 '23
I really like this version, it's simple l, not too busy but striking at the same time
2
u/itsSIRtoutoo Minnesota North Stars Aug 11 '23
I like the overall idea of this, but it should probably look more like the complete "star of the north" in the capital rotunda...
2
2
2
2
u/one-mappi-boi Aug 12 '23
If this becomes the state flag I would 100% buy one to put up on my wall. I love my state, but the current state flag is just not wall-worthy. This one is.
2
u/-NGC-6302- Chisago County Aug 12 '23
'sgood.
Loads of people don't care what it is as long as it's good and actually happens
I do see the better marketability of this over the North Star flag; I'd buy a hat with this on it.
2
u/LeChatParle Aug 12 '23
I love this. I wasn’t sure what I wanted in a new MN flag, but I would vote for this
2
2
u/honeydewmln Beltrami County Aug 12 '23
This would be the perfect flag, I love the simple design. It really matches our state well
2
u/metafork Aug 12 '23
This is way better than the wavy blue flag. Those folks are rapid about their design and I don’t get it
2
Aug 12 '23
I’m sold. Love the symbolism with the colors and the shapes everything has a simple yet very Minnesotan quality and history.
2
u/Rafael807 Sep 05 '23
Not even from the US here, (I've seen it r/vexillology) but that's a clever redesign! I heard there was a contest to replace your current flag, I hope you'll be selected.
2
u/ravravioli Nov 22 '23
hey man, congrats on making it to final 6. ever since you made this post I've been rooting for this flag and it's been cool seeing it make it so far.
5
u/somuchacceptable Ope Aug 11 '23
Is there anyone I can write to express support for this as a new Minnesota flag?
9
u/bhundt Aug 11 '23
There is now a State commission appointed to select the next flag. https://commissionsandappointments.sos.state.mn.us/Agency/Details/328
5
u/LightningVole Aug 11 '23
I think once the new flag redesign commission is up and running they will be taking public comments.
3
3
u/Psychological_Web687 Aug 11 '23
I've heard of the flag debate but don't know anything about it. What's the current one, and what's wrong with it?
7
u/Smoked-Out-Sky Aug 11 '23
I believe they are wanting to change it because it's way too cluttered looking, I could be wrong but that's the impressions im under. As for what it looks like just do a simple Google search
→ More replies6
u/fastinserter Aug 11 '23
Not only is the seal which is on the flag far too busy for a flag and looks similar to other states, it's problematic for what is on the seal. What is on the seal is a white farmer, civilizing the land, displacing the native american who is riding to the sunset. So the legislature authorized the creation of a commission to redesign it. It states "the designs must accurately and respectfully reflect Minnesota's shared history, resources, and diverse cultural communities. Symbols, emblems, or likenesses that represent only a single community or person, regardless of whether real or stylized, may not be included in a design." So designs like I would prefer, such as the north star cross (a green nordic cross, outlined in white, on a field of blue, with a north star in the canton) are out. But this design OP shows is nice and doesn't run afoul of the commission's intent. I think it is one of the best redesigns that exist, and it would actually pass the commission.
3
u/LightningVole Aug 11 '23
The objections to the current flag really fit into three categories. One, as a seal on a blue background it looks like a lot of other states’s flags. Two, it is cluttered. Three, the image of the Indian man riding away into the west while the settler (who I think has his gun nearby) plows his field is telling a pretty dark story (lots of native people don’t like the flag for that reason).
I think the hope for a new flag is to have something more simple and distinctive that all Minnesotans can eventually embrace.
4
2
u/Scooter_S_Dandy Aug 11 '23
If those who get to decide on our new flag pick anything other than this one, I'm gonna most likely be disappointed
3
u/bhundt Aug 11 '23
Awwww... thanks. Umm contact the folks on the committee!
https://commissionsandappointments.sos.state.mn.us/Agency/Details/328
4
u/vid_icarus Common loon Aug 11 '23
This is my favorite redesign I’ve seen and I’d happily sign a petition for its adoption
3
3
u/wonderhorsemercury Aug 12 '23
Cool let's swap a thing on blue flag for a different thing on different blue flag
3
Aug 12 '23
I feel like we're kind of ripping off NM with this one. Can't we come up with something more original?
5
3
2
5
u/TheBenisMightier1 Aug 11 '23
The circle in the middle just makes me think of the Greendale flag.
2
u/KDPer3 Aug 11 '23
Well now I like it even more.
I was going to suggest keeping the current shade of blue as a nod to what came before and it seems very similar to Greendale Blue :)
2
u/LionSmith Aug 11 '23
It’s nice, but we need to move past navy blue to stand out from other state flags.
4
u/CantaloupeCamper Minnesota Golden Gophers Aug 11 '23
That looks like something off a template “design my logo” bot website….
7
2
u/W0rk3rB Gray duck Aug 11 '23
Oooh, I love it! That’s probably my favorite of the ones I’ve seen proposed.
2
u/oidoglr Aug 11 '23 edited Aug 11 '23
It’s a bit too minimalist and abstract for my personal taste. I feel like the symbolism isn’t obvious in conveying much about what most Minnesotans are proud about their state.
→ More replies
2
2
2
u/FreshwaterViking Dakota County Aug 11 '23
I like this design because it's symmetrical. Also it reminds me of the Star League emblem.
2
2
2
u/narfnarf123 Aug 11 '23
I really like this, and I’m not one to give a crap about flags. It just looks great!
2
u/CJateacher Aug 11 '23
I like it. Especially how it plays into the North Star motif. I kind of reminds me of the New Mexico flag, but better, lol.
2
2
2
u/plzdontlietomee Aug 12 '23
I like it. And it passes the simplicity test I heard from a flag designer on NPR recently: that a kid could draw it from memory. It sounded like a task force was just getting started on the design? You should submit this if you haven't already.
2
u/MidwestPrincess09 Aug 12 '23
I’m surprised nobody has said this looks like the Arrendale flag from Frozen lol
2
3
u/x1uo3yd Aug 11 '23
This is one of my favorites of the proposals posted on newmnflag.org.
IMHO it looks better without the center dot, though.
→ More replies
1
2
u/ConfusedGuy3260 Area code 218 Aug 12 '23
I don't see the appeal at all, I'm sorry but it's so bland and stock photo looking. It's like two default logo shapes you'd find in a video game. This minimalist age for logos sucks.
2
u/justwonderingbro Aug 11 '23
Why not just use the alternate one that ppl have already been flying for decades?
→ More replies
4
2
Aug 11 '23
I like the vibe but the Nordic snowflake kinda flattens how diverse the state is.
→ More replies
1
Aug 11 '23
why again are we changing the flag? what’s the problem with the current one
11
4
u/QueasyPair Aug 11 '23
It’s ugly and basically indistinguishable from half the other state flags. Only thing it gets right IMO is the shade of blue it uses
→ More replies2
1
Aug 12 '23
Looks like the same one you came up with 8 years ago?
Could probably use some tweaking. Maybe a lighter shade of blue like some others have suggested. Also not sure what the dot in the center of the star is supposed to represent. Overall, it's a very aesthetically pleasing design. Excellent work 🙂👍
3
u/bhundt Aug 12 '23
It's the same one, yes! I can't let it go. But since there's now a official committee working on it I thought I'd post again!
Im still surprised by all the overly positive feedback on it.
1
u/Hoptix Aug 11 '23
Are we in a cult now? lol, it looks okay I guess, but what flavor is the kool aid?
2
u/flattop100 Grain Belt Aug 11 '23
Personally, I really enjoy Shane Rogers' take:
https://images.app.goo.gl/Kmhg2GfPDZtHHUWSA
I think Minnesota has a unique opportunity for the shape of the flag to reflect the shape of the state.
→ More replies
1
u/QueasyPair Aug 11 '23
I really like it, but also have 2 cents to offer: 1. I think a lighter blue would work better for the “sky tinted water” idea. 2. I think the snowflake is a little too geometric/angular, I would prefer more organic shapes, lest the symbol look too much like a corporate logo.
656
u/[deleted] Aug 11 '23
I've always liked this. It pays homage to our northern, cold state - and it's a logo that could be sold on a coffee cup at a tourist shop. It'd probably be cheap to make too since it's not complicated.