MIAD Flag Design
Exhibition Text
Through the inspiration of the international baccalaureate foundation logo and the Milwaukee Public Schools logo, as well as the Reagan Husky design, I was able to create a flag representing the Reagan Community. Using colored pencils on drawing paper, as well as using other materials, I created the flag symbolizing the Reagan Community which is presented on black presentation board.
Inspiration
I grew inspiration from both the IB logo and the MPS logo. When sketching for this project, I figured it would be important to use both of these logos due to their large role at Reagan High School. Creating a flag for our school would have to incorporate IB and MPS, as well as the messages these logos communicate and represent. The IB was originally known as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), founded in 1968. In 2007, they had changed both the name and the logo to represent their new identity as a reflection of the organization. MPS used to have a black and blue logo, however they changed it recently, adding the yellow and blue encased circle, with the white MPS letters. I wanted to incorporate these colors, as well as circular elements in my flag design.
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Flag Designs and Experimentation
I began developing multiple flag designs surrounding the color scheme of blue, yellow, white, and black. I tried to remember all of the things and tips were were instructed to use, and to try to achieve within our flag design. I began researching several colors, and found many different meanings. Dark Blue is often associated with knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. Light yellow is often associated with intellect. Yellow produces a warming effect, it often grabs peoples attention first. With my added two designs, compared to the fifteen drafts, I wanted to incorporate black as well, to enhance both the yellow and blue circular rings in the sixteenth design. White is also involved in majority of the designs, and it is associated with purity and safety. These colors are all great examples of the reagan environment, and what IB and MPS represent with both their students and staff. Blue is to stand for the IB program and the intellectual and sophisticated standards all IB Reagan students obtain in the learning environment. Yellow represents MPS and the warm atmosphere it produces for all of its students and staff, always ensuring everyone is united. Reagan is part of both MPS and IB and therefore both colors united with the black represents the connection we are bound to through and with these organizations. Huskies are all facing to the left, and the symbolism behind that is said to indicate honesty, truth and authenticity. As a united school we always want our fellow huskies to be honest and have authenticity in both inside and outside of school, globally, in each and every community. The circles themselves represent totality and wholeness. This is representative of Reagans, MPS, and IBs relationship and connections with student-staff individuals.
Experimentation
For my designs I had tried to incorporate various different shapes and layouts for the flag. For the seventh design, I tried to symbolize both the IB program and MPS, blue representing the IB program and yellow representing MPS. The husky would be in the center of the two interlinking circles. This design wasn't my strongest, however, because of the fact that the dark blue circle had blended in so much with the husky logo, it made it a weak flag because the husky got lost into the darker blue, which wouldn't make it visible or memorable. The eighth design wasn't the strongest because of the overlapping yellow and blue lines over the husky made it not memorable or easy to recognize, however if I would have put the husky over the two lines, it would have looked better. The tenth design, would have been stronger if I had left more space between the husky and the end of the blue line. The eleventh design I was going to originally make into one of my final pieces, however the background was too flat and the flag was not memorable and it didn't stand out.
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Final Two Designs + Critique
For my final two designs, it was suggested that I would change a few things in order to develop my ideas further. The husky looking "towards the future" was one of them. Have the husky look to the left would have been towards the past, and instead, we want a message that says we are looking towards the future. The yellow background was also suggested because of the way it would make each color stand out, and it would be easily recognizable from afar. I elaborated on the three circles, because it was suggested that making the three rings more noticeable rather than how it was prior would communicated the meaning behind that more effectively. Overall, I love the symbolism with each of the two improved pieces and can't wait to elaborate on my final design. I like the design on the right because it resembles somewhat the shape of a globe as to the one on the left, which is unclear in the sense that there are three circles within the design.
Planning and Process of the Final Design
For the final design, I started off within the center and worked my way outward. I sketched and centered the husky on the paper and began to color it in with a dark indigo blue. The stripe on the inside of the husky is grey with a black strip adding some definition. The circles were difficult to draw and to sketch out equally within the design. The husky is facing the right because it is looking toward the future, as all Reagan students and staff are within the Reagan community. It was suggested that I add a bold yellow to the background to make the flag stand out and be memorable and noticeable. The three circles represent the worldwide unity and the three IB pathways a student can choose to take, as well as the Reagan, MPS, and IB relationship. Dark Blue is often associated with knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. Light yellow is often associated with intellect. Yellow produces a warming effect, it often grabs peoples attention first. With my added two designs, compared to the fifteen drafts, I wanted to incorporate black as well, to enhance both the yellow and blue circular rings in the sixteenth design. White is also involved in majority of the designs, and it is associated with purity and safety. These colors are all great examples of the Reagan environment, and what IB and MPS represent with both their students and staff. Blue is to stand for the IB program and the intellectual and sophisticated standards all IB Reagan students obtain in the learning environment. Yellow represents MPS and the warm atmosphere it produces for all of its students and staff, always ensuring everyone is united. Reagan is part of both MPS and IB and therefore both colors united with the black represents the connection we are bound to through and with these organizations. Huskies are all facing to the left, and the symbolism behind that is said to indicate honesty, truth and authenticity. As a united school we always want our fellow huskies to be honest and have authenticity in both inside and outside of school, globally, in each and every community. The circles themselves represent totality and unity within the community of Ronald Reagan High School.
Process
The first step in mounting the flag was to turn on the fan and place the paper inside with the back facing upwards
Then, you line up your paper with the marks made on the board, making sure that it is straight, and 1.5 inches from the top and sides, as well as 2 inches from the bottom, according to the measurement requirements
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Then you begin applying the spray adhesive in a sweeping motion across the paper after the fan has be running for about one to two minutes, making sure to have an even coat of adhesive
After you have positioned your paper, you then smooth it out to make sure there are no ridges or bubbles visible on the board, having a nice clean appearance
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Compare and Contrast
Similarities
Differences
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Final Design
With the finished flag design I like how bold the yellow is in the background. I think that the yellow was a better decision than the white background because it gets your attention and is easily recognizable. The symbolism between the three circles as well as the colors really unify the piece as a whole and I feel best represent the Reagan community. It was rather difficult cutting the board and laying the sheet of paper down evenly and according to proper measurements. Applying all of Nicole's suggestions really helped bring this flag to the next level, and allowed it to meet the criteria of being memorable, noticeable, and most of all, recognizable. Overall I am happy with the final product and feel that it represents the Reagan community that we are and will always continue to be.
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ACT Response
1) Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
The IB and MPS as well as the Husky logo inspired me to create a flag representing Reagan as part of both MPS and IB and therefore both colors united with the black represents the connection we are bound to through and with these organizations. Huskies are all facing to the left, and the symbolism behind that is said to indicate honesty, truth and authenticity. As a united school we always want our fellow huskies to be honest and have authenticity in both inside and outside of school, globally, in each and every community.
2) What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I grew inspiration from both the IB logo and the MPS logo. When sketching for this project, I figured it would be important to use both of these logos due to their large role at Reagan High School.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
The IB was originally known as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), founded in 1968. In 2007, they had changed both the name and the logo to represent their new identity as a reflection of the organization. MPS used to have a black and blue logo, however they changed it recently,
4) What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea I was aiming upon my research was symbolism and representation of the Reagan community through various colors and shapes, as well as artistic elements.
5) What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred through my research that several colors have many different meanings. Dark Blue is often associated with knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. Light yellow is often associated with intellect. Yellow produces a warming effect, it often grabs peoples attention first.
The IB and MPS as well as the Husky logo inspired me to create a flag representing Reagan as part of both MPS and IB and therefore both colors united with the black represents the connection we are bound to through and with these organizations. Huskies are all facing to the left, and the symbolism behind that is said to indicate honesty, truth and authenticity. As a united school we always want our fellow huskies to be honest and have authenticity in both inside and outside of school, globally, in each and every community.
2) What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I grew inspiration from both the IB logo and the MPS logo. When sketching for this project, I figured it would be important to use both of these logos due to their large role at Reagan High School.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
The IB was originally known as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), founded in 1968. In 2007, they had changed both the name and the logo to represent their new identity as a reflection of the organization. MPS used to have a black and blue logo, however they changed it recently,
4) What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea I was aiming upon my research was symbolism and representation of the Reagan community through various colors and shapes, as well as artistic elements.
5) What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred through my research that several colors have many different meanings. Dark Blue is often associated with knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. Light yellow is often associated with intellect. Yellow produces a warming effect, it often grabs peoples attention first.