A change now, of year, and of where the computer resides on which i type these.
The flag of Oregon is the only state flag with different pictures on each side.
Both sides have a field of navy blue with design in gold.
The front shows a heart-shaped shield with an eagle on top surronded by thirty-three stars.
( The number of states in 1859. )
The scene on the shield is the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, mountains, forests and a covered wagon.
A plow, wheat and pick-ax represent farming and mining.
Of the two ships: The one leaving is a British ship and the one arriving is a United States ship representing trade.
The eagle represents the United States.
On a banner are the words "The Union" representing support for the United States.
Finally the flag is emblazoned with the words "State of Oregon" above the picture and the date of statehood "1859" below. (from 50states.com)
The beaver is the state animal, though this was determined without the written or spoken acknowledgement of any known representative of the species.
Terrific art direction in that flag.
Done without a computer.
When a person art directed a flag in 1859 it meant more than most communications do now.
Soldiers would carry what you designed into battle.
Governors and presidents would stand next to it.
It was going in books.
Here's the question: do we not respect the work we do now as much as the work from a hundred years ago because there's so much more of it now, or do we not respect it because we don't make work meant to last, meant to be iconic, meant to mean something?
Conundrum.
If we do remarkable, salute-able work, will it draw from the audience a greater response?
Or is that over?
Can our post-modern hearts not gather feelings for symbols anymore?
What i like most, and what i think lasts, is there's a story in the symbols.
There's always a story in anything that lasts.
6 Comments:
Welcome back to Puddletown, Mark.
One interseting thing this post made me think about is the thinking that seems to be going around that the public doesn't have any ties or feelings to classic symbols imbued with meaning and emotion. It feels like there's a rush to abandon history in favor of being seen as current.
Take a look at sports teams. Teams like the Cardinals, Broncos, Patriots, Astro, Angels have all, in recent years, tossed off what I consider great logos in favor of hipper, "fresher" marks.
And several years ago, it seems the car industry of the itch and many old brands introduced shiny, polished, smoothed-out logos.
This may not seem to have much of a relation to crafting commmunications, as the stuff we create in advertising is much more short-term than the identity of these teams and cars.
But would these companies/teams be uprooting that much history if they thought it wasn't being called for by their customers? In a sped up society, does the public readily tire of things that are "classic" and rich with heritage? If that's true, then people in advertising and communications-type fields are sitting in a good position, as refreshing a brand logo/voice/look is as quick as waiting for the next magazine to run. Not so easy to change all the endzones, merchandise, signage, etc for a sports team.
If it's not true, then the folks in the advertising and communications-type fields are sitting in an even better position. I welcome the desire for brands to not just create the next relevant ad, but to create a brand that's relevant over the long term.
Mark, that's very interesting about the Oregon flag, but more importantly, Virginia's flag is the only one that shows a human nipple. The Commonwealth will miss you. Wieden Shmieden.
i'm not sure if the work being done now is held to the same standard by the artists as was done in the 1800's. especially within our industry. that flag was a single piece of art. not one of three in a campaign. this artist new this was his or her's shot. and probably the only sho he or she would. so they designed the hell out of it. they thought outside of what had been done with other flags. they used both sides. they told a story.
few and far between are the ADs and CWs and better yet the CDs that look upon an ad, whether print, commercial, direct mail, web banner, coupon etc as their shot to make it into the history books. not that that should be their goal, but if they had that drive with every piece they did, there would be less crap clogging up media these days.
The Oregon flag tells a story. Who cares. By the time it's hoisted up on the flag pole and flapping in the wind the story is lost. Plus, the flag only represents the white man's version of what Oregon represents. Something so permanent was created based on a few years of collected Oregon history. It's time to re-art direct the bitch. I vote for a hologram, or better yet, clear plastic. You can never go wrong with clear plastic. I laminate all my ads and have clear plastic sheets on my bed.
we are losing out on one of the great influncers of our time.
Mr. Fenske, if you please, could you please post anything that anyone you freelanced for "couldn't sell"?
We will all be greater for what could have been.
mark
a guy lends you shoes and he's the last to know
write, here:
brentbouchez@gmail.com
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