The Refugee Nation Olympic flag was inspired by a lifejacket

The official flag for The Refugee Nation, a team of ten refugees currently competing in the Rio Olympics, draws its colour scheme and design from lifejackets. Designed by Syrian artist and refugee Yara Said, the flag is a vivid orange with a single black stripe.

Using the colours of life vests is “a symbol of solidarity for all those who crossed the sea in search of a new country,” says Yara, who now lives in Amsterdam. “I myself wore one, which is why I so identify with these colours and these people.”

The Refugee Nation project has also produced a national anthem for the team, written by composer and Syrian refugee Moutaz Arian, now living in Istanbul. A bold logo for the team has also been created in black, orange and white versions.

The project has been organised by a collective of creatives including: Artur Lipori, Caro Rebello, Rodrigo Moran, Bastien Baumann, Eduardo Lunardi, Arthur Amiune, Renato Tagliari, Belén Márquez, Imen Soltani, Ricard Valero and Elli Hanson. It is supported by Amnesty International.

Supporters of The Refugee Nation can download the flag, logo and anthem, and use its orange and black photo filter to demonstrate support on social media.