Orith Kolodny 
199 Flags 
Shapes, Colors, and Motifs from Around the World

Journey around the world through 199 flags! This striking visual book explores the shapes, figures, and colors of flag design.


Whether a national flag features vertical stripes or horizontal ones, two colors or more, symbols drawn from nature or from history—each detail of its design is intentional and loaded with meaning.


Graphic designer Orith Kolodny demystifies the recurring colors and visual components of national flags. Through the study of flag design, this book shows that countries with vastly different climates and cultures often have more in common than one might expect.


This book is:

• Organized by design rather than geography

• Divided into categories such as stripes, diagonal lines, triangles, circles, crosses, and natural forms (like suns, moons, stars, and trees)

• A stylish introduction to the iconography of independence


199 Flags explores the meaning behind each flag in an entertaining and accessible way.


Through a captivating combination of design theory and world history, you’ll learn how to decode the symbols and interpret shapes of flags through a designer’s eye.


• A perfect gift for dads, designers, travelers, geography nerds, and history buffs

• Learn about our world in a unique way that prioritizes design and meaning over rote memorization.

• Great for fans of
Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities by David Airey,
The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman,
Flags of the World by Sylvie Bednar, and
Draplin Design Co. by Aaron James Draplin

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Orith Kolodny is a graphic designer with a sense of humor. She lives in Milan, Italy.