Royal Canadian Air Force Colours Display

The Story

In military terms, the word “Colours” usually refers to consecrated ceremonial flags carried by certain Canadian Armed Forces combatant formations and units. These unique flags are a unit’s most prized possession. On September 1, 2017, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) received new Colours, retiring their former Colours, which were presented in 1982 and reflected the Air Force’s previous identity as Air Command. Honouring the relationship between the RCAF and the Toronto Maple Leafs, on February 10, 2018, in a ceremony held before a hockey match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators, the RCAF entrusted their retired Colours to the guardianship of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The design team was engaged by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the RCAF to design a unique display to house and commemorate the two newly retired Colours that would exhibit them proudly and be visibly accessible to guests from inside and outside of the arena at Gate 6.

As the project lead, I took a historical deep dive was taken to learn more about the Colours and the RCAF culture. Being the first ever Air Force to acquire a tartan, inspiration was teased from the tartan structure, where a series of horizontal and vertical connectors created a dialogue and began to shape the overall structure of the displays and podium plaques. Subtle design details were incorporated into the displays and podiums to tell a richer story. Having problem solved several engineering issues to increase their visibility to the public; the Colours are now more available than perhaps any other Colours in the history of the RCAF.

My leadership and creative efforts were recognized by the RCAF and was awarded with an Award of Excellence Medallion from L. General Hood at the unveiling of the display cases.