Elevating Local Initiatives with Michelle’s Swim Stars Flag
Bringing a small swim school to life through a medium‑sized teardrop flag might sound like a modest brief, but for us it was an opportunity to show how good design can make waves. At Curious Pixels, we treat every project with the same care and creativity that goes into our larger campaigns. Michelle’s Swim Stars is no exception.
The Event Context
Michelle approached us because she needed a versatile and durable flag for a water‑safety event she was running outdoors, with the possibility of using the same flag indoors later on. She had browsed online but felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of flag options. A medium teardrop flag felt right in terms of scale, but questions quickly followed: What type of sleeve would hold up in high winds? Which base would work both on sand and inside a hall?
“I wanted a flag to promote my swim school for an outside event on water safety that I was running. I also may use it for indoor events. I had quickly looked at getting one myself but there are a lot of different forms of flags on the market and I had no idea which one would suit my needs best. I was also unsure of how to design the flag, therefore I contacted Paul at Curious Pixels to help.”
The Challenge
From the outset, the brief called for a flag that could stand up to the Scottish weather while still looking fresh at an indoor exhibition.
Our Approach
After discussing Michelle’s goals, we presented two design concepts. Concept 1 was playful and fluid, but concept 2 (the one she ultimately chose) leaned into a portrait orientation that aligned every element neatly and created a strong vertical flow. The layout kept the friendly tone of the brand while making each message easy to read at a glance. We repositioned the tagline to feel more connected and intentional, spaced the text to establish a visual rhythm and made sure that the website and QR code remained prominent without hogging the spotlight.
“Brilliant. The process was very simple and the app used, Base Camp, was easy to use and alerted me to when I needed to take action. Paul also made suggestions that I would never have thought of, like putting a QR code on the flag that takes people to my booking site.”
The Final Outcome
The finished flag delivered on durability, clarity and charm. Printed on air‑mesh polyester, its graphics remained vibrant in the breeze, and the reinforced sleeve kept everything taut. On the beach at the water‑safety event the medium teardrop flag caught eyes from a distance, and the QR code made it effortless for parents to book swim lessons or find out more about the school. Indoors, the same flag stood confidently on its multipurpose base without looking out of place.
“I used the flag at the water safety event, it looked fantastic and was very striking and visible on the beach. It did lead to some bookings as well.”
Supporting Local Creativity
Working with small businesses like Michelle’s Swim Stars reminds us why we love what we do. Good design should not be reserved for multinationals with deep pockets; it should elevate community initiatives, independent teachers and passionate entrepreneurs. By partnering with Michelle, we took her vision from uncertainty to clarity, showing that a well‑designed flag can be both a practical tool and a miniature billboard. Whether you’re running a youth sports programme, an arts event or a local fundraiser, your visual communications deserve to look as professional as the big brands.
Let’s Make It Memorable
If you’re organising an event, launching a service or simply want to make your message visible, we would love to help you create design materials that work as hard as you do. And while we’re talking about making a splash, why not give your children the chance to thrive in the water? Michelle’s Swim Stars isn’t just about flags and branding, it’s about teaching kids confidence, safety and a love for swimming. Scan the QR code on the flag or visit her website to book lessons, because every splash matters.
