Coronach’s new AI-generated, “Escape the Race” flag is much more popular within the Saskatchewan community than it is with experts at the North American Vexillological Association.

“I can’t take full artistry credit for it,” said Bonnie Elder, a photographer who designed the flag. “I did use AI …

“I have no qualms with people having criticism. It is what it is. People are entitled to their opinions, right?”

The North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) describes itself as “the world’s largest organization of flag enthusiasts and scholars.”

“A lot of these AI designs forget that the fundamental purpose of a flag is to signal legibly at a distance, not cram all the symbols of your town on a cloth,” said NAVA member Deniz İyigün in an email conversation with several association members.

AI in flag design “eventually may have its uses,” said NAVA secretary Ted Kaye. “But it needs to learn more about effective design.”

Kaye’s flag design guidebook “Good” Flag, “Bad” Flag emphasizes some relevant design principles:

– Keep it simple.

– Use meaningful symbolism.

– Use two or three basic colours.

– No lettering or seals.

Coronach’s flag deviates from the rules “in every way,” said Kaye.

The flag was chosen in April and May by two rounds of community voting held on Coronach’s Facebook page.

“It went by likes,” said Coronach Chief Administrative Officer Renea Paridaen. “The photo with the most likes is the one that was adopted by council.”

In the first round of voting, a preliminary version of Elder’s flag won against 18 competitors with 175 likes. The runner-up received 80 likes.

In the second round, it received 141 likes. The runner-up received only 22 likes.

According to the Facebook page, voting was also available in-person at the Coronach Town Office. It is unclear how this affected the results.

“The flag represents our industries, our power, the mine and farming,” said Elder. “It also represents the landscape with the wheat …

“Coronach was named after a racehorse. There’s some history there, so there’s the horse …

“I tried to incorporate how people make a living here, and what sustains our community.”

Coronach’s slogan is “Escape the Race.”

“That was just the criteria they wanted on the flag,” said Elder.

NAVA member Masao Okazaki believes Coronach is not the only place to use an AI-generated flag.

He suspects some recently adopted flags in the U.S., such as one in Gilpin County, Colorado, and another in Damascus, Georgia, were designed with AI.

“Of course, I can’t confirm any of these, but they’re definitely fishy,” said Okazaki.

Featured image: A picture of Coronach’s new flag. Contributed by Renea Paridaen.