Welp!....Miss Maggie made it to the finals. The white version made it to the Top Three. So ya boy had 2 of the top 3 choices narrowed down from thousands of entries. I'd say, That Ain't Bad! I actually chatted with the Great River flag designer today, Micah. We exchanged pleasantries & mutual respects and such. We left it like, either design will be deserving & wouldn't be crushed if the other one was chosen. Talked a lil shop about what we learned inside the Wild-Wild-World of Flag Design & things we may've done differently.
I know I'll NEVER listen to a "Vexillologist" again the rest of my life!!! ...and I'll certainly never take heed to his advice! Horizontal Stripes are #1 choice MY A$$!!
Y'all have seen most of my designs, probably. So I'm sure you'd agree that for years (since 2013) I laid the basic ingredients down for what I thought represented the Magnolia State the best; and after inputs & alterations, basically resulted in the final product(s).
I've told a few news sources (that I have YET to see quoted) that I commend the Great River team and their Firm for the tremendous research and detailed symbolism(s). They hit the books much harder than me and compiled a lengthy essay of sorts to explain each. However, I didn't need to do Homework to find out things about my home. I didn't want to reach back through time and pattern the design around an old relic. Also, I didn't want to slap it with a Modern/Moving Forward design either. From the beginning my goal was to be Simply-Timeless. There is only one symbol you need to represent "The Magnolia State". ingredients: Red/White/Blue & subtle touches of meaningful colors- A) Honey Gold- the state mineral & the western honey bee B) Emerald Green- our state gemstone & reps Agriculture. Combine the complimenting elements into a perfect design that "looks" like Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Lastly, lets say, you held up both flags to a person from the MidWest and asked them to guess which one is the State flag of Mississippi, I honestly don't think they'll choose the one that resembles a national-emblem of sorts----unless, you made them read the "Boston's Guide to Mississippi Symbolism" first.
They have absolutely created a great Logo. But logos & flags are different animals. what "LOOKS" like Mississippi?
I know its easy to look at promotional pics with professional product-placement and say, "Now THAT's SHARP!" I know this because I do it nearly everyday.
Anyways... Thanks again for always giving me an outlet to bounce creative ideas off the broad spectrum of personalities on this board. The traction that Ive gotten from sixpackspeak through the years has helped me in more ways than you could ever know. Im serious. Theres a lot of Bulldogs out there in this world and a lot of 'Big Dawgs' have certainly thrown me a bone or two.