Good news, the loon will get the recognition it deserves on the new Minnesota state seal. This week, the State Emblems Redesign Commission (SERC) moved forward with design S224 as the basis for the seal. Commissioners also spent the meeting listening to public testimonies and feedback.
The approved design is an homage to our great state bird, the loon. Other MN imagery featured in the design include waves, wild rice, pine trees, and the North Star. The design was submitted by Ross Bruggink (@rossbruggink), a designer, illustrator and co-founder of Buddy-Buddy Design co. In the design brief, Bruggink says the seal “represents the abundance of natural resources that are the foundation of the economy and vitality of Minnesota.” Buddy-Buddy is a branding, packaging design, and illustration company that has partnered with brands including Target, Google, Warby Parker, and MTV.
Aspects of the design remain up for change, such as loon eye color or star arrangement, and the commission plans to discuss design modifications at their next meeting on December 12. Next week, the SERC will also continue the process of selecting Minnesota’s next state flag. There are currently six finalists for the basis of the new flag, which will be on display in fabric form at the Mall of America rotunda during business hours Dec. 9-10. One of Bruggink’s flag designs also made the finals.
More information about the state flag and seal commission is available on the SERC website.
