Overview
Last month I had the privilege of taking part in the AGDA Melbourne masterclass with Michael C. Place of Build (UK). Michael set a brilliant brief for the class – our task was to re-design the Australian flag to represent a modern Australian identity.
Australian Music —
A huge part in shaping the Australian culture
I found myself humming along to patriotic songs, bush ballads and iconic Aussie tunes whilst thinking of things that are uniquely Australian. Music has captured our history and defined what it is to be Australian. The lyrics from our national anthem resonated with me, and validates the outlook that our iconic native plants and flora are one of Australia's greatest and most unique treasures.
Process
The Culture of Australia —
Defining what it is to be Australian
Defining what it is to be Australian
Australia's culture is essentially a Western culture influenced by the diverse input of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the British colonisation of Australia, and the various waves of multi-ethnic migration that followed.
The new flag needed to capture this essence of Australian culture/heritage whilst representing a modern Australian identity; the design promoting a sense of timelessness and familiarity.
The new flag needed to capture this essence of Australian culture/heritage whilst representing a modern Australian identity; the design promoting a sense of timelessness and familiarity.
Australian Music —
A huge part in shaping the Australian culture
I found myself humming along to patriotic songs, bush ballads and iconic Aussie tunes whilst thinking of things that are uniquely Australian. Music has captured our history and defined what it is to be Australian. The lyrics from our national anthem resonated with me, and validates the outlook that our iconic native plants and flora are one of Australia's greatest and most unique treasures.
Native Plants + The Banksia —
An integral part of Australian history
Our native plants are a big part of our national identity both past and present. They are iconic, uniquely Australian, and are an integral part of Australian history.
The Banksia species is particularly significant, named after Joseph Banks the English botanist on board the First Fleet. Banks collected foreign botanical specimens at Botany Bay (1770) which fascinated the European explorers. The Banksia species are so unique to Australia and make for an appropriate national icon.
An integral part of Australian history
Our native plants are a big part of our national identity both past and present. They are iconic, uniquely Australian, and are an integral part of Australian history.
The Banksia species is particularly significant, named after Joseph Banks the English botanist on board the First Fleet. Banks collected foreign botanical specimens at Botany Bay (1770) which fascinated the European explorers. The Banksia species are so unique to Australia and make for an appropriate national icon.
Promoting national unity —
Amalgamating cultural history with modern Australian society
Amalgamating cultural history with modern Australian society
My findings resulted in a direction which connects components of Australia's past and present, marrying both our Indigenous and British roots. The Indigenous cultures of Australia are the oldest living cultural history in the world. I drew reference from indigenous dot paintings and traditioinal corroboree – the aboriginal word for a gathering or meeting, referring to not only the physical coming together of tribes, but a meeting of minds and philosophies, of gradual growth. Our British roots are embodied by the Banksia – the native species which captivated the European explorers.
Modern Australian society is extremely multicultural and I wanted to express the coming together of various diverse backgrounds through the design. The circular shapes consistently apparent across the banksia, indigenous dot paintings and corroborees provided me with an opportunity in which I could attempt to attain unity between all components.
The visual structure of the Aboriginal flag prompted me to visualise our distinct Australian landscapes and earthy colour palette where the land, sea and sky meet.
Result
Australian National Flag
Careful consideration was made when designing the new flag to ensure it captured the essence of Australia (our history and present identity), appeared timeless, considerate and established.
The result is a contemporary and minimal design that reflects a modern Australian identity whilst acknowledging the history of Australia and paying respect to both Indigenous and British roots.
The dotted rings embody the essence of Australia, containing many references to both the modern and historical Australian identity. The 8 rings stand for the six states and two territories, an abstract representation of our iconic native plant, the Banksia (an integral part of Australian history) and an indigenous corroboree.
A modern Australian identity is achieved by removing the use of traditional elements and symbols typically associated with colonial Britain (i.e. navy blue and the union jack), which fits more in line with the direction Australia is headed. In addition, a modern identity is reinforced through the contemporary yet timeless portrayal of the Banksia and simplistic use of colour blocking.
The earthy colour palette corresponds with distinctive Australian landscapes – the sea/sky, red/ochre land, sun/sand and the flora/bushland – whilst the framework of all elements meeting in the centre of the flag reinforces the unity of Australia's modern multicultural society.
The earthy colour palette corresponds with distinctive Australian landscapes – the sea/sky, red/ochre land, sun/sand and the flora/bushland – whilst the framework of all elements meeting in the centre of the flag reinforces the unity of Australia's modern multicultural society.
State and Territory Flags
The state and territory flags maintain a consistent structure and are distinguished by colour, integrating the traditional colour palette of each state into their respective flag. It is hoped that this will maintain a sense of familiarity and align more closely with the present Australian identity i.e. sport colours/state teams.
The state and territory flags feature a different number of rings to one another. The foundation of this design system is based off the order of establishment of the British colony settlement, and when the territories as we know it today were separated from the state. New South Wales being the first established colony (one ring is displayed on the NSW flag), Tasmania being the second (2 rings displayed on the TAS flag) and so on.
Thanks
Meeting Michael and hearing what he had to say was very inspiring and such an invaluable experience. Many thanks goes out to AGDA VIC for organising the workshop, Block Branding for funding my ticket, and a special thanks to Michael for making the long trip over!
Meeting Michael and hearing what he had to say was very inspiring and such an invaluable experience. Many thanks goes out to AGDA VIC for organising the workshop, Block Branding for funding my ticket, and a special thanks to Michael for making the long trip over!
