Ferdio
Flag Stories: The hidden stories behind flag designs
Think about it: a flag is simply a fascinating piece of design. With limited constraints and simple colors, flags are highly symbolic representations of a nation’s unique story. We are so fascinated by flags that we decided to explore them in every possible way and transform them into a series of flag infographics.
Project type
Background
Started this side-project as we wanted to add new perspectives to the field (vexillology), only looking at the design. Curious to see what might come out of an in-depth deconstruction of flag design, the project was also set out as a way of demonstrating how to find and tell stories.Infographics
Flag bar charts
Simple stories and simple design are often the most powerful infographics. So we did. Simply sorted the data into categories (layout, symbols, colors, etc.), stacking the flags as bar charts.
Research
Collect, sort, analyze, visualize
It sounds easy when you put the process into this title, but the truth is that the research part has been a rather time-consuming job. Thankfully, the majority of the data we managed to extract from existing sources. It might sound odd, but once the data was collected, sorted, validated and validated into our massive spreadsheet, the easy part was creating the visual stories.
Animation
Flags in motion
Though all of the infographics work as statics, we couldn’t help animating some of them for social media channels underlying flag design similarities and history.
Infographics
Deconstructed flag
Though most of the infographics present the flags in its original design, we also had the idea of deconstructing all of the flags.
New formats
Let’s get physical
For now, Flag Stories is a simple website. But due to the massive and continuous interest in the project, new formats are being explored including print, animations, exhibitions, and maybe even a book!
Acknowledgment
From geek to mainstream
When we started Flag Stories we had no idea it was going to attract this much attention around the world. To be honest we thought vexillology was an exclusive “geeks-only-club”, but Flag Stories turned out to go viral just after launch, reaching thousands of people all over the world and hitting the mainstream media. Going through the feedback and mentions ever since, it simply underlines the strong feelings and interest towards flags.
25+
Mentions in online media and magazines in more than 11 languages.
1,000,000+
Visitors on flagstories.co since launching
3 awards
Including two Malofiej Awards
