Dayton unveils new city flag designed after no clear consensus on 3 finalists

DAYTON — The City of Dayton has unveiled its new city flag, which was designed by a graphic designer after “there was no clear consensus of a favorite design” among the three finalists shared with the public in February 2020.

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The unveiling comes after more than a year of delays due to COVID-19.

ORIGINAL FINALISTS FOR NEW DAYTON FLAG:

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Dayton flag designs Larry Collins submission. Explanation of flag design: “The ‘D’ shaped field of white is for Dayton, The color White for our hope for peace, Green is for our hope for growth, The descending slope suggests our geographic position in the Miami Valley, sky blue for the unbounded limits or our potential, the Wright flyer connects us to our past, and remains a testament to the fact that, from Dayton, your dreams can lift the course of humanity to the heavens!”

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was put on hold in March of 2020, though the public comment form was left open until August of 2021. Around 1500 responses were received throughout this 19 month period,” the city said in a statement. “After looking at this feedback, there was no clear consensus of a favorite design, so as outlined from the beginning of the process a graphic designer was brought in to help create a final design based on the final three designs and incorporated citizen feedback.”

The city’s previous flag had been used since 1958 and was used at City Hall, Dayton International Airport and dozens of other locations throughout the city.

The new flag is inspired by the wings of the Wright Flyer and uses lines to represent the five rivers throughout the region. It was designed by Catapult Creative and cost the city $4,300 for the design and video that was produced to introduce it to the community.

“The wings of the flyer divide the flag into three sections: a green section symbolizing the land, a dark blue section honoring riverways in Dayton, and a light blue section symbolizing the sky,” the city said. “In addition, the five angled stripes (four white, one blue) represent the five rivers throughout the region, the critical waterways of our history and our present.”

Each of the initial flag finalists had to use the Dayton color palette of blue and green. The city also requested that each flag touch on flight, gems, rivers and unity in diversity within the design.

In the new flag the city said “the contrasting lines and colors show the unity we have in the diverse array of people that call Dayton home.”

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