TBM - UNION JACK DEVELOPMENT

I found this was a hard brief to get my head round. At first I thought it would be fairly easy but the more I thought about it became quite difficult to try and make something that will be universally accepted and also represent the UK. I wanted to try and do something a bit different but keep references to the union jack. I think it is important to try and use colours which represent the countries involved within the united kingdom. 

As  much as I would like to completely revolutionize the flag, I don't think realistically that would go down well with the UK. I think lots of people have strong morals to the UK so Red, white and blue should probably be involved. I also think we should include the green of wales. Although they weren't Incorporated into the union jack I think its time for change and they should get a place on the flag. 

I want to re brand the UK as at the moment I associate the flag with world dominance. We essentially took over the world and colonized several countries. I want to get rid of those negative connotations, as Iconic as the flag is I think it stands for all the  wrong things, the flag was originally developed for warfare so I want to get away from that connotation and emphasize the message of a multi-cultural society living as one. Unity is the key message I want promote for the new flag I want to show the connection between the countries in the UK.

Concept 1

As unity is the key message I want to promote I decided to use circular imagery to represent the UK as a whole. I have used red to represent England, green for wales, white for northern island and the blue to represent we are part of Europe.

 I decided that having 'European blue slices of the pie' wasn't the best option and it made more sense to enclose the red,green and white within a blue circle. The blue circle shows we are collectively a part of Europe and also highlights the fact we are a island surround by 'water'

Alteration on previous. Full blue background works allot better. definitly works better with green in the middle of sections. More reference to red and white then which is the dominant colours in my opinion and the dominant countries.

After looking back on this design it looks just like a dart board.

 This design plays on the multicultural aspect of the UK. All are welcome we need to live in harmony. It doesnt matter what colour we are, were all one.

Too Simple, also looks like a alien with big red eyes. NO GO

 Once again looks too dart board like for a flag. SImilar concept to previous with surrounding European circle.

 I decided to stick with the same circular concept. By adding a circular white ring to the edge of the emblem I have created an abstract version of the current Union jack. I think that this is a good route to go down, as it still has connotations to the UK but takes away the religious connotations. The emblem is equal and represents Unity and Equality. I decided to use a blue background to emphasize the fact we are part of Europe. As white is incorporated in all the previous countries flags I thought it was important to have extra white space.

 Variation on previous. Too much green however, if anything there should be more red.

 Not enough red.

 I like the look of this version too. Same concept and reference to the union jack still 

but kind of looks a bit like a pizza.

 This design looks less like a pizza and incorporate more red which I believe is the predominant colour associated with the united kingdom. As much as I like green I don't think wales should be the forefront of the uk.

 This flag is a bit more abstract. Dont think this works that well.

 Too Green

 Too green

 Too Green. Nice contrast on white though

 I am undecided wehether I prefer white or blue for the background. Here are some more version using white as a back ground. Some are duplicates of blue versions. It kind of reminds me of a crazy 

Japanese flag remake though.

 I like this however I am worried it looks too christmassy or like a shamrock/clover. 

Connotations quite irish or celtic

 Reference to union jack however too much white ad looks very Christmas like.

 Works allot better with white incorporated into the emblem.

 Maybe too simple back to pizza.

 Red more predominant.

This is simple and works really well I think. Reference to existing cross but is still completely different, The balance of the design works well. Good amount of white space and references all countries.

Concept 2

 

 My second concept revolves more around the fact there will be 3 counrties within the united kingdom. I am using the red to represent England, white for northern island and green for Wales, but the white and red can represent either northern island or England as people can relate to both. I am still sticking with these colours as people can already relate to them. I am also keeping the idea of unity and togetherness. The 3 countries are the 3 pieces of the pie which together make up the UK. The blue here once again represents the fact that collectively we are part of the united kingdom.

 I experimented playing about with different sections to create this emblem. This design still has reference to the 3 countries and unity. All the pieces meet up at the central point to create an emblem which represents knowledge. Our country was built on the fact that knowledge is power. The emblem looks like someone with their head in a book. Quite simple but I feel this has a strong concept.

 Similar concept 3 pieces of the pie, white section has no defining edge creating an arrow pointing forward to represent the UK's new forward thinking, moving with the times also reference to the circle and unity.

 By rotating the emblem I have referenced the peace icon which is essentially the concept I am trying to promote. Although it is very cliche I think it is important to get this message across. You would of thought the world would of packed in all the wars by now but unfortunately this is out of the peoples hands and down to the government.

 From this angle still has the connotation of peace and forward thinking.

 Simplified version of knowledge is power icon. 3 arrows/pie 

pieces represent N Island Wales and England.

 I don't think this represents unity enough. Not equal enough.

 More simplifed version. Too simple.

 I think this still looks un balanced with 2 red elements.

 Incorporating European element to the design.

Simple version....too simple?

 Reference to Peace and unit again. Also looks like a sun shining over the land. 2 red 

sections represent England and N island, green is wales.

 I think this flag works well. All the connotations needed and is well balanced.

 Doesnt work.

 Reminds me a bit of pepsi.

 Reference to unit also looks like the globe with the 3 countries as part of it.

European element too.

 Simplified version too abstract

 I like the look of this, connotations of peace and unit but the blue negative space reminds me of a hazardous waste/nuclear bomb symbol.

 Adding multicultural element?

 Slight Variation looks fuller.

 Simple and neat. Don't know if European element should me a big bit of the pie. The pie essentially represents the 3 countries so maybe including the blue in it inst the best option.

 I think there is to much colour in one spot here although I do like the imagery.

 

UNION JACK HISTORY - Primary Research

The Union Jack is a transnational flag full of historical significance. It represents the union of different countries and the growth of a family of nations whose influence extends far beyond the British Isles. This far-reaching influence is still seen today in the incorporation of the Union Jack in other national flags such as that of Australia. The British flag is called the "Union Jack", an expression that needs to be explained.

The Union Jack is a fine expression of unity as well as diversity. The British flag incorporates the national symbols of three distinct countries, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In fact its name "Union Jack" emphasises the very nature of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a union of nations. 

The flag is also known by another name, this too, emphasizing the idea of union: the "Union flag", perhaps a less common term but a little more precise. The countries comprising the British Isles are not inward-looking or isolated states with an insular mentality; together they constitute a powerful union that has spanned centuries. Recent devolution that gave Scotland its own Parliament and Wales its own Assembly has also emphasized the importance of individual national identities within the union without affecting the essential unity of Great Britain. On the contrary, it has strengthened it. Recognition of, and respect for national identities are an essential ingredients for effective union. The Union Jack symbolizes all this: respect for individuality within a closely knit community.

St. George's Cross, the flag of England	St. Andrew's Cross, the flag of Scotland

St. Patrick's Cross, the flag of Ireland

The cross represented in each flag is named after the patron saint of each country: St. George, patron saint of England, St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland and St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.

The image below renders the idea of the union of the three flags forming one unified, transnational Flag.

No mention has been made of the Welsh flag. The Welsh dragon was not incorporated into the Union Flag because Wales had already been united to England when the first version of the Union Flag was designed in 1606. It is, however, in common use:

The Welsh Dragon

THE HISTORY OF THE UNION JACK

The first step taken in the creation of the flag of Great Britain was on 12th April 1606. When King James VI of Scotland became king of England (King James I) it was decided that the union of the two realms under one king should be represented symbolically by a new flag. Originally It consisted in the red cross of England superimposed on the white cross of Scotland on the blue background of the Scottish flag as in this illustration:

Thus we have the first flag of the union called, in fact, the "Union Flag".

What was meant to be a symbol of unity actually became a symbol of international controversy. The English resented the fact that the white background of their cross had disappeared and that the new flag had the blue Scottish background. On the other hand the Scottish resented the fact that the English red cross was superimposed on the Scottish white cross!! The old adage says you cannot please everyone but this first version of the Union Flag seemed to please no-one!!

Apparently there was an unofficial "Scottish version" that attempted to rectify the sense of injustice that the Scottish felt at this innovatory flag. A distinct reference was made to this version when the King visited Dumfries in 1618. Here is what it looked like:

The controversy was destined to last!! There is conflict in the best of families!!

However, the flag was usually restricted to use at sea until the two kingdoms of Scotland and England were united in 1707. It was most probably from this use at sea that it got the name "Jack" ("Union Jack"). It was usually flown at the bow end of the ship, from the jack staff.

An attempt was made to modify the flag under Oliver Cromwell. A harp was placed in the centre, representing Ireland. However, the original design was restored along with the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The flag continued to be used in its original form until Jan. 1, 1801. At that time, with the union of Ireland and Great Britain, it became necessary to represent Ireland in the Union Flag and so the cross of St. Patrick was include thus creating the flag as we now have it. When the southern part of Ireland gained its independence in 1921 and became the Irish Free State no alteration was made to the Union Jack.

The name "Union Jack" became official when it was approved in Parliament in 1908. It was stated that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag".

At the moment, the countries representing the UK, are still united under one flag. How long this will be so, no one knows. Even now, each of the countries which form the United Kingdom, is fighting for its own independence.

For the first time since 1707, the Scots now have their own Parliament in Edinburgh, and the Welsh their own national assembly in Cardiff. As a result, the Scottish saltire and the red dragon of Wales are much more in evidence. 

Is the Union Flag (Union Jack) on its way out?

In 1997, British Airways decided to scrub the Union Flag off the tails of its airliners and replace it with pictures of jackals from Africa and other ethnic designs. Its chief executive, Bob Ayling, said that the airline was no longer a British company with global operations, but a global company that happened to be headquartered in Britain: “We are proud to have been born and raised in Britain,” he explained. “But we want to show Britain as modern, not imperial...We still have our Beefeaters, but we now lead the world in restaurants and in fashion.”

 

In 2003, a campaign was launched to try and modernise the red, white and blue flag by adding a touch of black to reflect multicultural Britain in the 21st Century. The proposed new flag (see right) was the work of Nigel Turner, an enthusiastic fan of the UK's transformation into a multiracial society over the past 50 years. The campaign was NOT successful.

2007
 

More teenagers see themselves as English, Scottish or Welsh rather than British

 
A YouGov poll carried out by the Daily Telegraph in 2007 found that fewer than one third of today's teenagers instinctively think of themselves as British rather than English, Scottish or Welsh. But, pressed to say whether they also think of themselves as British, the great majority say yes. Only 10 per cent of the teenage sample, many of them Scots, reject a British identity altogether.
Most people want the United Kingdom broken up
An ICM poll published by the Daily Mail in 2007 suggested that majorities of voters in both Scotland and England now want the countries to split.

The Future?

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS

In my opinion I don't think that the union jack will ever change as, it is such a monumental and significant piece of design for great Britain. The union jack is recognized world wide so changing it might be quite difficult task which will have to please many people. The fact that the union jack appears on many other countries flags will affect how it works as a whole so I will have to look at the flag in context. There are 2 routes to go down with this brief, I could either evolve the flag and play with the existing concept and design or completely revolutionize the flag and create something new and interesting.

Nowadays Britain stands for very different principles to what we once stood for, so it might be important to try and create a completely different identity for britain which looks at Great Britain as a multicultural society and maybe stray away from its religious connotations of the patron saints. I think that the world is very different to how it was when the flag was designed, so this is something to consider when designing the flag.

  

I think it is important to look at the aspect of unity. This is a possitive message to revolve around and in this day and age I think unity is key to mankind. I know its very cliche but the main problem we have with the world is war and conflict. In the this day and age we are seeing more and more cultures fuse together and live as one, but it is the conflict between classes and religions we have a problem with. I want to try play on the concept of unity and togetherness as apposed to separation.

From looking at the history of the flag I can see that each country wasn't always happy with the design, Scotland wasn't happy the st Georges cross was laid over the st Andrews cross. So I will consider designing a flag which looks at each country as equals.