Description
All For One
The black flag has been used to embody the idea of global citizenship since the 1880’s. It represents the absence of a flag, therefore, the absence of nations and of borders.

The addition of the circle is intended - like many tribal cultures - to illustrate a decentralized social structure. The circle doubles as a globe without any natural distinctions or borders.

The flag is asymmetrical allowing for it to be displayed in such a way that it implies times of distress or of peace.

The simple flag design allows for easy reproduction. Anybody can easily draw a rectangle with an offset circle in it. Symbols easy to reproduce ensure longevity and have a viral effect. One need not rely on expensive reproduction methods to create their own flag or scrawl it’s image on a wall.




"It surprises me how much I like this.

In other contexts, its reductiveness might seem obvious or dull. If I had heard about it as a verbal description, without seeing it, I would probably have said “forget it”.

Yet it has great power as an image of unity and wholeness. It feels elemental, like an archetype. I find myself drawn back to it and I could believe in what it seems to represent. It avoids the over-complication and fiddliness seen in many of the other entries. It privileges no particular part of the world, which is surely one of the most essential considerations. Anyone, from anywhere, could find meaning in the infinite possibilities of the circle. It’s stark in its utter simplicity but hopeful, too."

— Rick Poynor