A couple of years ago, I received a call from Professor Greg Jackson, who serves as one of our planning commissioners here in Lehi. He and I talk frequently about several issues regarding our great city and the nation. Admittedly, I rely on him when I have a question about history, specifically U.S. history. For those who do not know, Professor Jackson is the author and producer of the wildly popular podcast “History that Doesn’t Suck,” and we are fortunate to have him as a Lehi citizen. During the conversation, Greg paused at some point, then changed the topic by asking, “Mayor, why doesn’t our city have a flag?” I believe my response was something to the effect of, “Well we have our logo on a bedsheet, but that’s not really a flag.”
Our conservation shifted to cities with recognizable flags, emphasizing the importance of flags with historic meaning. Diving into vexillology, the study of flags, I drew upon my prior exposure to the field, through previous work, and a TED Talk I recently watched. Specifically, Ted Kaye’s enlightening presentation, “Good Flag, Bad Flag: How to Design a Great Flag,” resonated with me. Kaye’s establishment of fundamental principles for effective flag design has influenced numerous cities and states.
It is common for cities to simply throw their logo up on a white background and call it a flag. But a logo is different than a flag. A flag needs to be simpler than a logo and be easily recognized from far away. It needs to convey meaning like a logo, but in a more simplified form. It needs to convey something important and generate pride and respect. That is the power of a well-designed flag.
Over the course of several months, Greg and I bounced ideas back and forth and even had a graphic artist involved, but nothing seemed to hit the mark of what the perfect flag for Lehi should be. In a brief presentation to the council last year, I discussed some thoughts and played Kaye’s TED Talk on vexillology. The idea of a flag was tabled until we could give it more serious consideration.
It’s a new year, which gives us opportunity for renewal and improvements, I am delighted to share an exciting endeavor that holds the potential to ignite a profound sense of pride and belonging within our community – the redesign of our city flag.
I’ve always believed that our city’s flag should serve as a symbol of who we are and what we stand for. Yet, our current flag falls short of capturing the essence of our community. Together we have the chance to redefine what it means to be a citizen of Lehi. By embracing our past while looking boldly towards the future, we can create a flag that truly reflects the spirit of our city. Starting Monday, April 1 the design submission window will open. We look forward to seeing the talents of Lehi and how they see Lehi. I hope that we draw inspiration from the iconic landmarks that dot our landscape, but let’s also infuse our design with the stories and aspirations of our residents.
Visit the Lehi City Flag design page for more information on the contest.
