Rochester’s City Flag Named Among America’s Worst!

First question: Did you even know that Rochester has its own city flag? Well, it does! Before now, did you know what it looked like? Probably not. But some experts consider its design among the worst in the nation...

There's a website called 99% Invisible, which started as a collaboration between public radio station KALW and the American Institute of Architects in San Francisco, that creates podcasts about architecture and design. It turns out that 99% Invisible is well aware of Rochester's civic flag.

Mostly, because a group of vexillologists chose it as one of the worst civic flag in the entire country! What the heck is a vexillologist? It's somebody who studies flags and flag design. They chose our flag, along with those of several other cities, including Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dallas, Texas; Tampa, Florida; and the flag for the state of New Jersey, as being among the worst in America!

Just what makes for good design in a city flag? According to the 99% Invisible post on the subject, the features for a successful city flag include keeping it simple, meaningfully symbolic of the city it represents and distinctive. A limit of colors and staying away from seals or lettering is also important..

Even though our flag is on the list, it could be worse. The flag for the city of Pocatello, Idaho, was chosen as THE WORST city flag in all of America! But to Pocatello's credit, they have actually started working to create a new flag for the city.

If only there was something we could do to redesign a new flag for Rochester...

Oh, wait. Maybe there is! Let's get a campaign going using #newflagforRochester and see if we can get the ball rolling...

Who's in?