Civic Flag Design Guidelines
The Flag Institute is currently being consulted by a number of civic organisations throughout the United Kingdom, who are in the process of selecting and adopting their own flags.
As a result, of this unprecedented level of interest and in response to a number of requests, we have revised and published our Civic Flag Design Criteria.
1: Keep it simple
The flag should be simple enough that a child can draw it from memory.
2: Use meaningful symbolism
The flag's elements, colours, or patterns should relate to what it symbolises.
3: Use two to three basic colours
Limit the number of colours on the flag to three, which contrast well and come from the standard colour set: red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, purple, black and white. Yellow and white work well on any of the other colours and vice versa.
4: No lettering or seals
Avoid the use of writing of any kind or an organisation’s badge, seal or coat of arms. It is better to use elements from an appropriate coat of arms as symbols on the flag.
5: Be distinctive or be related
Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections.
6: How will it fly in the wind?
Remember, the design must be distinctive when flying on a high pole in a strong wind, and when hanging in windless conditions too. Also remember that it will almost always have ripples caused by the wind.
Further reading
If you want to see how other British county flags look, you can view the United Kingdom Flag Registry, from the Flag Institute