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Need some help from you guys
1 min read
There have been a lot of projects I've started and not that much time to work on them. But I've hit a bit of a lull in my workload and now that I do have some time, I'm not sure what to continue first. So I figured that I'd come to you guys.
1. Flags, no preference on what kind
2. Infographics on vexillology
3. Tutorials for Inkscape/vector graphics (just an idea)
4. Flags of Touhou
5. Title Parodies (Touhou)
6. Shakespeare's Touhou (writing)
Those are some of the things I can do right now. I don't know how many of you will read this but to any who are, I'd appreciate your input on what to do. Thanks!
1. Flags, no preference on what kind
2. Infographics on vexillology
3. Tutorials for Inkscape/vector graphics (just an idea)
4. Flags of Touhou
5. Title Parodies (Touhou)
6. Shakespeare's Touhou (writing)
Those are some of the things I can do right now. I don't know how many of you will read this but to any who are, I'd appreciate your input on what to do. Thanks!
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A Bit of Retrospection
4 min read
Hello all, I hope your lives are going well!
It's been a while since I've written anything, but since a lot of things have been going on lately in terms of both art and academics, I figured it'd be helpful if I gave a little update. This is mostly relevant to the Flags of Touhou I've been doing, but I suppose the other non-Touhou flags (though few in number, I know!) are also included.
I have removed the textures from my flags, as I think they detract from their focus, the actual design. That being said, I also miss having the textures because they're what made the flags great wallpapers. I'm pretty wishy-washy when it comes to decision making so this isn't surprising. So, I've decided I'll reupload the flags with textures to a separate folder (this may take some time with the work I have). This is actually good for me as now I'll be able to upload all the flags with the same resolution and with the same style of texture and shading. Before, the flags changed as you progressed through the order they were made in. The first flags had a simple single texture and later, had two different textures as well as shadows that made the flag have a kind of 3-D element to them. To be honest, I'm glad I have a chance now to make them all have a uniform style.
Secondly, some flags' designs were changed. Some changes were minor, like color fixes, and some changes were overhauling, like with Tenshi's flag. Some changes I liked, and as for others... well I sort of wish I hadn't done. Sorry Tenshi! I'll be making more changes in the coming weeks, many of which I hope are preferable. I think it's sort of inevitable that I'd want to change things, given how long ago I began the Flags of Touhou. Well, a couple of years is a long time to me at least, must be my young age. Since the beginning I've changed a lot in the way I go about designing flags, and the difference seems pretty noticeable I think. I first made flags by character imagery alone, and simply writing descriptions and symbolism to fit the result. That explains why there are a few flags that have no description and no explanation of symbolism (something I find quite embarrassing!) While I don't like using the word when it comes to art, I now have a "systematic" approach to flag design. Character traits are to be taken into account first, design aesthetics should come second. That isn't of course to say symbolism alone is what "makes" the flag. Both are integral to a well-designed and deep flag, but I think forcing symbolism to fit the result is a case of putting cart before the horse.
A little side note, but it seems that one of the more notable aspects of the Flags of Touhou are the rather lengthy descriptions I write for them. I'm a bit proud to say now that every flag I make now has a description. As for the descriptions themselves, I believe they seem to be improving over time. I have my high school Honors and AP English classes to thank for that. I literally think I might have stopped making the flags if it weren't for those classes. Do not undervalue what you can gain from the humanities. This is for all you technical oriented and engineering majors out there, like me. Engineering is certainly my calling, but I rather enjoy a good book and poetry writing. Maybe it's this balance that helps me to find both the symbolic and aesthetic beauty in flags.
What with all the university work I have now, I find it a bit difficult to continue this project, but I can't help but keep committing to it. It's just something I love and enjoy so much! I've gotten a few requests to make flags for certain characters, and I don't think I'd feel okay with just dropping this and letting them down. Granted, it will probably take a long time to finish them, but finish them I certainly intend to. I had never intended to make flags for characters beyond those of Ten Desires, and it still surprises me how long this project has gone on for.
At any rate, I hope not to disappoint, and I will continue to try my very best!
It's been a while since I've written anything, but since a lot of things have been going on lately in terms of both art and academics, I figured it'd be helpful if I gave a little update. This is mostly relevant to the Flags of Touhou I've been doing, but I suppose the other non-Touhou flags (though few in number, I know!) are also included.
I have removed the textures from my flags, as I think they detract from their focus, the actual design. That being said, I also miss having the textures because they're what made the flags great wallpapers. I'm pretty wishy-washy when it comes to decision making so this isn't surprising. So, I've decided I'll reupload the flags with textures to a separate folder (this may take some time with the work I have). This is actually good for me as now I'll be able to upload all the flags with the same resolution and with the same style of texture and shading. Before, the flags changed as you progressed through the order they were made in. The first flags had a simple single texture and later, had two different textures as well as shadows that made the flag have a kind of 3-D element to them. To be honest, I'm glad I have a chance now to make them all have a uniform style.
Secondly, some flags' designs were changed. Some changes were minor, like color fixes, and some changes were overhauling, like with Tenshi's flag. Some changes I liked, and as for others... well I sort of wish I hadn't done. Sorry Tenshi! I'll be making more changes in the coming weeks, many of which I hope are preferable. I think it's sort of inevitable that I'd want to change things, given how long ago I began the Flags of Touhou. Well, a couple of years is a long time to me at least, must be my young age. Since the beginning I've changed a lot in the way I go about designing flags, and the difference seems pretty noticeable I think. I first made flags by character imagery alone, and simply writing descriptions and symbolism to fit the result. That explains why there are a few flags that have no description and no explanation of symbolism (something I find quite embarrassing!) While I don't like using the word when it comes to art, I now have a "systematic" approach to flag design. Character traits are to be taken into account first, design aesthetics should come second. That isn't of course to say symbolism alone is what "makes" the flag. Both are integral to a well-designed and deep flag, but I think forcing symbolism to fit the result is a case of putting cart before the horse.
A little side note, but it seems that one of the more notable aspects of the Flags of Touhou are the rather lengthy descriptions I write for them. I'm a bit proud to say now that every flag I make now has a description. As for the descriptions themselves, I believe they seem to be improving over time. I have my high school Honors and AP English classes to thank for that. I literally think I might have stopped making the flags if it weren't for those classes. Do not undervalue what you can gain from the humanities. This is for all you technical oriented and engineering majors out there, like me. Engineering is certainly my calling, but I rather enjoy a good book and poetry writing. Maybe it's this balance that helps me to find both the symbolic and aesthetic beauty in flags.
What with all the university work I have now, I find it a bit difficult to continue this project, but I can't help but keep committing to it. It's just something I love and enjoy so much! I've gotten a few requests to make flags for certain characters, and I don't think I'd feel okay with just dropping this and letting them down. Granted, it will probably take a long time to finish them, but finish them I certainly intend to. I had never intended to make flags for characters beyond those of Ten Desires, and it still surprises me how long this project has gone on for.
At any rate, I hope not to disappoint, and I will continue to try my very best!
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Rules of Flag-Making
3 min read
There are none.
No, I'm serious.
Regardless of design or appearance, if you can hoist it from a flagpole, it is probably a flag. It doesn't have to be rectangular. It doesn't have to have a design. It doesn't have to mean particularly anything.
I make no claim to being a vexillological expert, but I hesitate to acknowledge any set of "rules" for flag design. Certainly, there are certain design tips that for some reason or other, make flags more aesthetically pleasing. The "rule" of tincture is probably the most often cited, and you will often hear me incorrectly interpret it as having a metal (white, yellow) acting as separation between two colors or vice versa. (Corrected, the rule of tincture applies to metals and colors on top of one another, not beside each other, as I apply it.)
Despite this rule, refusing to follow it does not strip your design of "flag" status. There are many flags that violate the rule of tincture, such as Jerusalem, Albania, and a multitude of US state flags. Nobody, I hope, has decided that this rule-breaking makes these flags worse than others, though I might make that claim when it comes to some of the state flags.
As with art, you cannot objectively say that any flag is better than another. Of course, you can like one flag over another, and that is your personal taste, but it is nothing more than that.
But if you must have some tips for flag designing, here are five from the North American Vexillological Association:
1. Keep it simple
2. Use meaningful symbolism
3. Use 2-3 basic colors
4. No lettering or seals
5. Be distinctive or be related
I can confidently say I follow one or two of those. They are things to keep in mind, but if you're designing a flag you shouldn't rule out a design element simply because it goes against one of these principles. Especially given how ambiguous they can be sometimes. How simple is too simple? How distinctive can a flag be without becoming too complicated? I'm not saying the tips are bad; they are quite useful for creating aesthetically pleasing flags. It's just that they aren't rules that you must follow in order to design a nice flag.
I design flags for Touhou characters. Given this, it is often difficult to design flags with only 2-3 colors, or flags that are truly "simple." I try to make flags that clearly represent particular characters, and that have at least a bit of meaningful symbolism behind them. To me, the other principles are of little importance.
There is a reason why the Flags of Touhou do not look like flags you would fly in real-life, and it has to do with the very fantastical nature of the series itself. Their designs are often crowded and complex with little regard for vexillological principle.
But they are flags that mean something!
And that is why I pride over them. Unlike many national flags, they can readily be associated with what they are meant to represent. If someone can name the Touhou character each flag represents without the help of a title, then I've designed my flag correctly, regardless of whatever rules exist for flag design.
I apologize for the rant-like nature of this post, I had a little bout with someone about whether my flags violate vexillological rules. Doesn't matter though, I'll stick with what I do!
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