Four of the fifty flag templates created by John Dilworth and Rob Foster for flagmachine.com Photo: Rob Foster and John Dilworth
SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah is accepting submissions for a new state flag design. Two Utahns created a website so virtually anyone can participate in the process and submit a design.
The “More Than a Flag” program is accepting submissions from Utahns of all ages in the search for a new and improved state flag. Residents may submit up to three designs each. The program is managed by the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement.
John Dilworth and Rob Foster learned about the state of Utah’s project to find a new state flag. However, they recognized not everyone has the design or art skills to create a flag. Therefore, all Utahns wouldn’t have the tools to submit a design. The pair created a website to fix that.
Their website, flagmachine.com, is a tool that allows anyone to choose a template and customize their own Utah state flag.
The website offers countless templates for users, all abiding by the criteria laid out by the state. The state accepts flags that are factually accurate, simple enough for a child to draw from memory, meaningful, and distinctive from other states. Flags also need to be submitted in 3×5 inch proportions.
Dilworth and Foster designed 50 flags for users to customize. They can change the colors, lay out and symbols for endless combinations and custom flags.
Foster told KSL NewsRadio, “we want the process of community participation in art and design to be as inclusive and democratized as possible.”
With the tools the website offers, Foster said anyone can “use their taste to curate and choose something that speaks to them,” including those with low motor function.
Foster explained he and Dilworth were also motivated by the concept of serendipity. The flag-making software allows even the most seasoned designers to explore combinations they may not have considered.
Many website users are touting their designs on twitter and social media, pleased with what they were able to create using the website.
Although Dilworth and Foster have not yet submitted an entry, they plan to. They have a special design in the works.
The state is accepting submissions for the new state flag from January until April 30.
In September 2022, after many steps of selecting designs, and perfecting them, three final options will be presented to Gov. Cox, Lt. Gov. Henderson, and Utah Legislature. Together, they will choose Utah’s next state flag.