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VEXILLOLOGY
In 2015 and 2016 New Zealand had a series of national referendums to decide whether it should change its national flag.
In a decision that baffled vexillogists and designers everywhere - new designs were crowdsourced from the public, and evaluated by a team of 12 judges, not one of whom were a designer. I had some thoughts about this.
I submitted the design below, it was not shortlisted. After spending 25 million dollars ultimately the public decided to retain the existing design.
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My proposed design is simple, bold and unique. It retains some familiarity to the incumbent design while embracing our national colors and identity. It speaks to our roots, and looks forward to the future.
The graphic on this flag is a geometric design which is inspired by traditional Maori Taniko patterns and Korowai weaving designs such as those used on Kaitaka cloaks.
The Southern Cross as depicted in my design is minimalist but the proportions, angle and location are deliberate and historically accurate. The Southern Cross constellation is reproduced exactly how it would have appeared on the 6th of February 1840 as seen from the summit of Mt. Aoraki. I chose to depict the stars as the spheres that they truly are, as a way to set this flag design apart from other nations using stars.