Necessary Group unfurls its flag

The Necessary Group, the coalition backed by Peter Saville and Tony Wilson to highlight the issue of devolution in the North West, has launched a series of designs, including a flag by Saville.

The flag is part of a number of design-led initiatives undertaken by the Necessary Group, including an on-line identity designed by Magnetic North Interactive and an off-line logo and brand identity created by Jason Nicholls of A2 Design, based in Manchester.

Saville’s design, highlighting the upper left quadrant of the English flag, is a response to a request from Factory Records founder Wilson. It recalls Manchester’s Peterloo massacre, in which the army charged a large political gathering and seized its flags.

‘The design is brilliant and it’s searingly obvious,’ says Wilson, ‘[The flag says] it’s not about succession, it’s saying that there’s this referendum about devolution.’

Wilson also worked closely with Lou Cordwell, client services director at Magnetic North, to produce the Necessary Group’s website – www.itsnecessary.co.uk.

The coalition has been formed to highlight the regional referendum scheduled to take place in the North West of England this autumn.