North American Vexillological Association
The North American Vexillological Association is a membership organization devoted to vexillology, the study of flags. It was founded in 1967 by American vexillologist Whitney Smith, and others. Its membership of 1,100+ comprises flag scholars, enthusiasts, designers, collectors, conservators, educators, merchants, manufacturers, historians, and hobbyists from most states and provinces of the United States and Canada, and more than 30 other countries.
In the 21st century, many state and municipal bodies have re-evaluated and introduced measures to change their flags, often influenced and initiated by NAVA's surveys on flag design. Some of their design processes have followed a set of flag design principles compiled by Ted Kaye and published by NAVA.
History
20th century
The North American Vexillological Association was founded in 1967 by Whitney Smith, a Harvard political science student with a lifelong passion for flag design.In 1969, NAVA became a charter member of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations.
21st century
In 2001, NAVA conducted a survey ranking all U.S. state and Canadian provincial flags. New Mexico and Quebec were ranked best among U.S. states and Canadian provinces, respectively. The flag of Georgia (U.S. state)#Third flag (2001–2003)|Georgia] at the time scored lowest, reflecting a pattern observed in the survey results where flags that featured a state seal on a monochrome background tended to receive lower ratings.This was followed by a 2004 survey of city flags, in which the flag of Washington, D.C. ranked first and Pocatello, Idaho ranked last. In 2022, NAVA conducted a follow-up survey assessing city flags redesigned since 2015. In this survey, the flag of Tulsa was ranked highest, Ranger, Texas lowest, and Pocatello, which had updated its flag in 2017, ranked 11th, reflecting the influence of the 2004 survey results.
In 2006, NAVA published "Good" Flag, "Bad" Flag, a general purpose guidebook to effective flag design, outlining five principles: avoiding letters and seals, simplicity, meaningful symbolism, two or three basic colors, and distinctiveness.
Impact
NAVA members have also contributed to international flag design efforts. Prior to NAVA's founding, Whitney Smith assisted Guyanese President Cheddi Jagan in designing Guyana's new flag and later, in his capacity as president, advised governments on flags for Aruba, Bonaire, and the Saudi Arabian Navy. Decades later, in 2015, NAVA secretary Ted Kaye provided expertise to Fiji on a potential flag redesign, although the government ultimately decided not to proceed after an Olympic gold medal resulted in renewed national pride in the existing flag. In 2023, Kaye reprised his role as advisor, joining Brian Cham, a NAVA member, in advising the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission.NAVA's surveys and the publication of "Good" Flag, "Bad" Flag have significantly influenced public awareness and the redesign of flags across North America. By identifying poorly designed flags and highlighting best practices, NAVA inspired citizens, officials, and design committees to reevaluate existing state and city flags. In several cases, government officials have consulted NAVA members for expertise during the redesign process.
State flags
Since NAVA’s 2001 survey, several U.S. states have redesigned their flags, often citing and drawing upon the association’s published design principles. Mississippi, Georgia, Utah, and Minnesota all replaced their previous flags, citing both poor design and problematic imagery.City flags
City flags have seen a similar transformation. American radio host and podcaster Roman Mars's TED Talk on city flag designs in early 2015, covering NAVA's five principles, spurred redesign efforts in cities across the United States. In cases such as Burlington, Vermont, and Norman, Oklahoma local committees also consulted Ted Kaye to select new designs.Since 2015, over 300 U.S. cities have updated their flags.
Annual meetings
Since its founding, the association has held annual meetings across the U.S. and Canada to present research, share knowledge, and honor vexillological achievements. Since 1977, it has marked each meeting with a distinctive flag.NAVA honors achievement in the field through several honors and awards:
| Award | Criteria | Notes |
| Captain William Driver Award | Presented to the individual who presents the best paper at the association's annual meeting. | — |
| The Vexillonnaire Award | Recognizes a flag scholar who becomes personally involved in a significant and successful act of creating, changing, or improving flag design, promoting good flag usage, or otherwise altering it for the better. | — |
| Kevin Harrington Award | Presented to the individual who authors the best article to appear in a non-vexillological publication during the preceding year. | — |
| John Purcell Award | Presented to an individual for an exemplary contribution that promotes public understanding of vexillology in North America. | — |
| Doreen Braverman Award | Presented to an organizational member who supports the association's mission by making a significant contribution to the vexillological community. | — |
| Whitney Smith Fellow | An individual who makes an outstanding contribution to North American vexillology may be elected to this honor by NAVA's executive board. | Honoree may use the postnominals "WSF" |
| Honorary Membership | Honors an individual who renders distinguished service to the association or to vexillology. | — |