Flying the Flag for Improv

Last updated 22 May 2020

I was inspired to design a flag for improv by a video analysing good and bad flag design. I wanted to create a flag that,

• is recognisable at a distance,
• portrays meaning with symbolism, and
• is easily reusable for all circumstances.

Portray Meaning with Symbolism

• The colours are inspired by the flag of Chicago, where modern improv developed. The Chicago six-pointed star is changed to a five-pointed star to represent the theatre and entermtainment.
• The single, top star represents the audience and their contribution, the suggestion.
• The middle two stars represent the two-person scene, which is the foundation of most shows.
• The bottom three stars represent the performers in the backline who support and expand the scene.
• The lower five stars sit on a field of blue that represents the stage and separates the performers from the audience.

Reusable for All Circumstances

The uptake and popularity of a flag depends on whether it can be reused in lots of circumstances: websites, posters, flyers. The goal is not to design a single flag for all circumstances but to create a design that could be recognised even when altered to suit all circumstances.