When Chicago-based designer Meng Yang contacted me to see if I would do a review of some of his designs from Know Your Flag – a company Yang created to sell his screen-printed posters, and calls “a love letter to the City of Chicago” – it was pretty much a no-brainer. Good design with a Chicago focus? I’m in.
Little did I know Meng was going to send me all four posters from his Chicago Flag series, so I could see them all up close. And I can tell you one thing: they’re impressive.
The series of four 19 in. x 16 in. posters depict each of the historic events that the stars on the Chicago flag represent. Time for a little history lesson:
Fort Dearborn. It was added to the flag in 1939, and is to remind us all what it would be like to be massacred by Indians.
The Great Chicago Fire. Lesson? Keep your cows in check.
The World’s Columbian Exposition, or The Chicago World’s Fair. An exposition to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World. I can only assume that was the reason for the Indian massacre (see star 1).
The Century of Progress Expositon, or Chicago’s 2nd World Fair. It’s motto was “Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms.” Which doesn’t sound creepy at all.
These prints aren’t all Know Your Flag has in store. (Get it?) Meng also has t-shirts, buttons, and other prints – all of which are a great way to show pride in your city while supporting a local artist.
And to show you just how much I’m behind this project, I’m willing to give my copies of the Chicago Flag series to you. All you have to do is (a) tell other people about Know Your Flag on Twitter or on Facebook (e.g. something like “I support Know Your Flag! [link]“), and (b) let me know you did so in the comments below (links appreciated). I’ll choose the winner at random later this week. You get kick-ass posters, and Meng gets some much deserved publicity. Everybody wins.
PS, Those who don’t live in Chicago are welcome to participate, but if you live too far away, I may ask you to chip in for shipping.
PPS, All images in this post were borrowed from Know Your Flag’s store, as I didn’t want my lack of photography to hold up this post any longer than it already has. But these are definitely the posters I have, and I assure you they look even better up close.
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Done and done. My apartment has naked walls and one of these would just look fantastic.
http://twitter.com/#!/brandonzeman/status/22337711838863360
Hmm it won’t link properly… whomp whomp
Awesome. Thanks for sharing, Brandon.
I’m assuming you just got e-mailed about me tagging you anyway, but I Facebooked the heck out of that. His stuff is really cool! (I especially like the World’s Fair one.)
I actually haven’t gotten the Facebook notices yet, but does that surprise anyone? Thanks for sharing, regardless.
Ummm these are VERY nice! Beautiful!
(and ummm https://twitter.com/tastypopsicle/status/23196324463640577)
Thanks for sharing, Ed!
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