Quite often I’m looking for a simple iconic device to represent a country without having to just reproduce the flag alone. So, as you can see above, why not put the flag inside the country’s shape. Also, it’s free!
It’s relatively easy to find a country’s flag and shape on the internet and tracing the flag is very easy in Illustrator. For example above, the Union Jack part of Australia’s flag was created by overlaying red, white and blue rectangles. An important thing to remember with the diagonals is to copy and reflect them so that they appear at the same angle.
So how do you get a nice flat line around the edges? Simple. Group all the rectangles together (Cmd/Ctrl-G โ you knew that!) and add another rectangle on top of them to where you want the edge of the flag and, with both of them selected, go Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Cmd/Ctrl-7) to crop.
Use exactly the same process to fit the flag into the country. The outline of the country can be traced using Adobe Illustrator’s Live Trace from an image downloaded from the internet. Put the outline over the grouped flag objects and, with both of them selected, go Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Cmd/Ctrl-7) to crop the flag.
The highlight or shiny surface is created by a black to white gradient circle set to Lighten in the Transparency palette with an Opacity of 60%.
I quite like the Australian flag!
Scot says
Great M8 ๐
Love it to bits
love to include this in the company pics if that ok. ๐
Keep up the good work
Regards
Scot Henderson
P.S. I have to agree I love the ol’ girl shes just got style and class ey!
Take it easy
Rob Cubbon says
Hi Scot,
You are welcome to use this. I would, however, ask for a credit. “Rob Cubbon Ltd โ Graphic Design London” and a link to the site: https://robcubbon.com
Cheers! ๐
chris says
hey great image,
i am making a video showing australian sports stars with the song i am australian in the background, i am looking for an ideal image for the ending to show australia and this would be ideal.
i would like to ask if i may use this image in the video.
reading the first comment i would be happy to include a credit for your work and a link to your great site.
hope to hear from you soon!
Thank You
Rob Cubbon says
chris, no problems, mate. I’ve sent you an email. Although, as an English guy I shouldn’t really be helping out Australian sport โ I’ll make an exception this once! ๐
Kk says
Hey I am doing a project about Australia and I want to thank you for helping me complete it I love the blue australia thing I am printing it right now thanks and toodles I hate poodles!
Love,Kk
Kks last blog post..Announcement
courtney says
this is awesome! how do you do this?
courtney says
i need one for my country can you help me
Rob Cubbon says
Ok,Kk,glad you liked it.
courtney, to do this you need vector and photo editing software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
Ben Harvey says
Hey there Rob, ive made a petty cash book for a university project and im wondering if it is allright with you to use your image, and ill definately credit you.
Rob Cubbon says
Hello Ben, by all means you can use this image. Thank you for asking and thank you for crediting me.
sean says
cannot get it to work can you elaborate more please.
John says
Hi Rob
I hope you don’t mind, but I used the Australian design for one of my Australian friends and a tshirt I am making up for them – is this ok?
John
Rob Cubbon says
Hi John, well you’ve used it so what does it matter? ๐ No worries, I like to get a credit, and when it’s used online a link to my site with “Freelance graphic design” as the anchor text.
Sean, can you elaborate on which stage you were at when you couldnรขโฌโขt get it to work and what happened instead?
John says
I can see your point! I will send you a picture of the finished product once it’s made up. Thanks again Rob.
Rob Cubbon says
Thanks, John, I do hope you didn’t think I was trying to be clever!
Abb says
Great work. Can i use this on my web page??
Thanks mate.
Rob Cubbon says
Hello, Abb, yes you can. Although I would appreciate a link. Something like
image by <a href="https://robcubbon.com/">Rob Cubbon design and marketing</a>
. Thank you.Stephen says
Hi Rob,
I really like your image (aussie map with flag inside). Would it be ok if I used it on an advertisement I’m making for private English tutoring in Korea? Thanks.
Stephen
Rob Cubbon says
Hello, Stephen, yes you can. Although I would appreciate a link. Something like
image by <a href="https://robcubbon.com/">Rob Cubbon design and marketing</a>
. Thank you. Let me know if you would like the file supplied in higher resolution.AndreSteff says
Hi Rob, making a powerpoint about Australia for a class. Can I use this picture? (Will give credit and link)
Rob Cubbon says
Hi AndreSteff, no problem. Be great to have a credit and link. Cheers, mate.
Annette says
Hi – I don’t have the software on my computer to create one of these. I would love to have one done for the Ukraine. Has anyone done one for the Ukraine I could use?
Rob Cubbon says
I haven’t done one for the Ukraine, Annette, I’m sorry. Ukraine would look very beautiful with this treatment.
wismy cadet says
iam wismy i from haiti my best country in the world is autralia
monique trapolino says
i do not know how to down load this picture on to my usd…..if possible….. can you tell me how to
Andy says
Great image,
Do you mind if I post in my facebook Australian Group page?I’ll credit & link you.
Rob Cubbon says
Please be sure to include the credit and link, Andy!
Felicity says
Hi Rob,
This is a great image. I’m preparing a poster for a conference on healthy wildlife, healthy people and would like to include the image, with credit link of course.
Rob Cubbon says
Yes, Felicity, don’t forget the credit!