h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I did intend for the black outline to be visible when i did that design but i have to admit that when i looked at it on mr flag i didnt notice that it wasnt there, so im not that bothered about it really. The main thing is that its there and its available and people can see what it represents.
by the way mr flag would it be a big hassle to inform us here on this board how the sales if any yet are going?

Would it help if the black border was a little bit thicker? I certainly think that a black border to the cross adds something to the design. Perhaps Devonian would like to comment on this as well.

Plymouth Exile

I like the Black border, it makes the flag better defined, and it was the design voted for. perhaps we could have some definate measurements- like the black border should be 1/4 the width of the white cross for example-whatever looks alright.

As to the bumper stickers, has anyone found out about marketing them yet? I have been a bit busy recently so haven't had time. Please could volunteers step forward and pledge a donation to print up the first batch. Lets raise the money first (at least theoretically) and get started. also we need to market flags effectively to get some publicity. Who's got a contact at the tourist board? #

London Devonish

Devonian, The design shown on the Mr Flag web-site does show your black outline. The only issue is that mr Flag didn't think we meant it to appear on the flag.

I am very much in favour of retaining the black outline. I think it adds definition. A simple white cross on a green background would appear a little ordinary I feel.

The current design shows each border being (approx) one fourteenth of the width of the white cross.

I am happy to stick with this - or increase it marginally (say to a 1:10 ratio) if this makes production easier or the impact greater.

If it gets too large an area of black we will arrive back at one of Estren's original designs - which did not attract a huge amount of support - and to my mind appeared somewhat 'Nordic'.

As to the bumper stickers - I think it is a good idea in principle.
I don't know how best to promote them. South West Tourism or Devon Tourism may well be a start. I guess we should get some quotes for a fixed size/design and then make commitments - personally I would be willing to 'invest' - in moderation.

Just for comparison I contacted a local company regarding bumper stickers.

They were screen printers, and I told them the design would be roughly 20cm x 7.5cm OR 15cm x 12cm.

The printers would print onto white plastic and would therefore only need two colours (black and green).

The cost

1,000 - approx A$600 (£228)
500 - approx A$400 (£152)
250 - approx A$250 (£100)

The exact cost would depend on how much artwork we did, rather than the printers doing it

Although (obviously) there would be postage on top of this (from here)this does sound a fair bit cheaper than London Devonish's rough estimate - perhaps because it is now a simpler design.

Whilst I was referred to this company I have not seen their product, so I can't confirm the quality.

Perhaps LD, you might see if your contact's price will now fall.

If a black outline is important, then of course we'll do that. It'll add a small amount to the price currently posted, but we certainly CAN do it. My point is that the black outline has to be wide enough for it's absence to be noticed. If it isn't, it WILL be omitted by most flagmakers and, being cheaper to make than the correct version, it'll be the plain version which become the de facto flag of Devon.

The rules of engagement are simple enough. The flag of Devon will be whatever the people of Devon fly - right OR wrong.

Can anyone send me a graphic showing a black outline in whatever proportion you decide is correct?

Devonian,

Mr Flag has asked for a design with the black outline 'in proportion'.

This might be best coming from you, but I can do so if you wish.

I think we should go with the 1:10 ratio I mentioned earlier - it provides definition even if not all that obvious from a distance (much like my good looks)

Im not really sure how to go about getting it all in proportion, with the original i just used to larger of the straight black line makers on th emicrosoft paint program.
If you think you can get it right OE then by all means go ahead and correct it, im not sure what the exact measurements of the original are but im guessing from mr flags posting that the black isnt wide enough, but as you said earlier if its too wide then it will end up as estrens which i agree looked somewhat scandinavian.
anyway you could send me a copy of the updated design once youve done it? my email address is [email protected]
OK then thanks.
PS mr flag, is there any chance of letting us here now how sales are going?

i emailed www.pafc.co.uk yesterday to see if they'd like to mention the existence of a devon flag somewhere on their site, no response yet.i'll keep you posted

>> PS mr flag, is there any chance of letting us here now how sales are going? <<

So far there's been one sale, of a 6ft x 4ft flag - but we're waiting for the result of this black outline thing before making it.

I don't suppose anyone will want me to say this, but I think you'll have to either go 'Scandinavian' a la Faroes (http://www.mrflag.com/display_product.asp?id=498&category=7) or drop the outline altogether.

We been discussing it here amongst ourselves and we're all convinced (a) that anything narrower is just going to get ignored, and (b) that the flag looks so 'right' without the outline that it's quite likely to end up being omitted anyway.

That seems reasonable.
ive been chatting to people on the plymouth argyle site and they seem keen on getting hold of flags.

I think that if we lose the black border then it would be very similar to the Hebridean flag of Barra on the Mr. Flag Website (although theirs is a Scandinavian cross). We shouldn't lose it just because bad flag makers in the future might get it wrong. perhaps we should just beef up the black border a bit. What makes a flag look Scandinavian or Nordic is the offset cross not a border, so i wouldn't be put off by a slightly thicker black outline. Any way the Union Jack's red cross has a white border, so if anything it is a 'British look'

As to the stickers, i will get another quote, probably by monday with the confirmed design. mail u all then

London Devonish

Can I add my voice to those that support the retention of the black outline.

I think it makes the flag more distinctive.

I don't think it should be too bold, and something can have a visual impact without being obvious - as in it will emphasise the cross.

So I think we should stick with it.

As to the bumper stickers - lets investigate prices and interest. I am sure there will be an interest!!

OK. In the interests of speed I've done my own graphic. Hope that's ok.

It can be seen here: http://www.mrflag.com/display_product.asp?id=1172

That looks fine to me. How about everyone else?

Plymouth Exile

that looks fine by me too.
do you think it would be possible to mention my name somewhere on the mr flag site so's people believe me when i say i designed it?

I am also happy with the design.

I am also happy to go ahead with Mr Flag's modification.

Although the black band is deeper than I would have liked - I think for the sake of completion I accept it - and think we should now proceed.

Although we haven't heard from all of our contributors (eg London Devonish) I think we have a clear consensus from those who have responded.

I think the idea of a flag for Devon is great.

Good luck to you (and to us).

While I have not been involved with the discussion to date I will say that the design looks better with the black.

Bye the way - I liked the 'Celtic Devon' site as well!

Verghyans!!

I went to have another look at the Mr Flag website - and the Devon Flag design has been taken down??

Anything up??

And - welcome to the debate Dyvneint!