Devolution Union Jack

The designers say: "The flag is generally a symbol of nationalism and the worst elements of the rightwing. The target is traditionally a Mod symbol. If you change the Union flag you lose continuity as a nation and that's dangerous. We have reinforced the value of this symbol and yet still looked at it in a new way. Being subversive with the design it keeps it fresh and keeps it alive." Glancey writes: Back to the world of The Who/I'm Backing Britain/Pop . . . and proof that this kind of powerful and colourful imagery can always be popular.

Robin Derrick (art director at Vogue) The designer says: "Flags are increasingly irrelevant so it would be nice to do a new flag each season - like they do with football strips. They could be themed with whatever is in fashion. But you should keep some of the traditional elements. For example, the red, white and blue should stay if you change the pattern, otherwise it wouldn't be the flag." Glancey writes: Groovy, baby! Makes you feel dizzy if you look too long.

David Cohen You said: The Union Jack remains one of themost distinctive and striking flags ever designed, and it immediatelysymbolises the United Kingdom. Therefore my design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The brown and black areas represent West Indian, Indian and Pakistani British citizens, while the darker purpleis taken from the West Indian cricketing flag. The blank Blue Ensign signifies Britain's long colonial history; the pink stripe is a mischevioushistorical reference to the pink bits on the map.The light green, red and yellow stripes are a reminder of Britain's history in Africa, Asia and other parts of theworld, while the darker green and orange stripes are specific references to Ireland andIndia. I am a member of the internet's Flags of the World (FOTW), and I basedmy design on the Union Jack image at FOTW created by Antonio Martins David Cohen, journalist and vexillologist Perth, Australia

James McCreery You said: Recreational drug use. one area we still lead the world in...

Dave Martucci You said: My design consistsof the traditional flags of England (St George's Cross) and Scotland (St Andrew's Cross) joined in a new way so that one is not superior to the otherbut the symbolism is still "United Kingdom". The design is known intraditional heraldry as a gyronny (of 8) and each segment contains acorresponding part of the two flags alternately. Hope you like it. It waspublished in our newsletter (NAVA News) a few issues back. Pro Vexillis! Dave Martucci President, North American Vexillological Assn, Secretary/Treasurer, New England Vexillological Assn

Martyn Potter You said: It's red, white and blue and stands for: tongue-in-cheek stiff-upper-lip,new Britain, frivolity, multi-culturalism, hope, union, introspection,experience and 21st century imperialism.

David McCutcheon You said: Design - fine. Instantly recognisable throughout the world, so why change it? However, the negative connotations of the Union Jack have been well documented. Better to adopt the colours as used by dozens of countries throughout the world, from Lithuania to Bolivia, Mali, Guyana and so many more. The significance of the colours may vary slightly, but I believe the common interpretation is: Red=the blood of the people (and the struggle towards independence)Gold=the sun (the giver of life)Green=the earth (the abundance of nature). The flag will recognise and acknowledge the multicultural society which welive in, placing the UK firmly within global society. So much more relevant to UK2000.

Jonathan Gardner You said: It's very difficult to produce something that is representative of today's fragmented and diverse society, so I thought of rearranging the current flag, then making alterations. Hope is what we all need and have; the colours I have used are the same as the current ones, representing continuity.

Charlie Holmes You said: Another version of the Union Jack.

Stephen Archer You said: The colours are taken from national colours of the four home nations: red and white (England), blue and white (Scotland), orange (Northern Ireland), red and green (Wales). In addition, white symbolises peace; red, white and blue stands for Britain and - if you want - orange, white and green represents the Irish Republic

Des Willie You said: This design represents more cultures, more colours. The union has spun out of control and colonialisms an embarrassing and painful memory that needs throttling.

Ed Macleod You said: I am probably one of the only entrants to actually read the Guardian. I am 16 and still at school. This is a lunchtime effort and I think it looks good. The background is a blur, much like the backgrounds to BBC sport presentations. Having the bold lines is standard fare in a flag. Y2UK is a play on the Y2K thing. I included the test Great Britain because in this new millennium where companies are battling it out to show you their logo, we should think of the flag as Britain's logo.

Justin Ginetti You said: This "flag" image is art object cum ironic nationalist symbol. On the one hand, the vertical lines recall the work of Barnett Newman; they also call to mind those ubiquitous bar codes and the bands of genes onchromosomes. The red and blue "bars" also suggest prison barsreflecting the different cultural tolerances/attitudes about nationalistor imperial agendas. The white spaces in between the red and blue barsexplicitly signify the unbalanced and tenuous status of nationalisticons. I think the cumulative effect of the image tends to destabilisethe hegemonic weight of tradition - even inevitability - which the Union Jack conjures up in this post-colonial era.

This image is a veritablereordering of that which was.