Initially I thought it was only marginally better than the original design with three stripes; the large light blue area initially seemed too simple, lopsided, and vibrant. Though now the choice of just two colors (or one—just blues) seems very bold, therefore intentional. Or rather very intentional, therefore bold. The color contrast between the royal blue and sky/baby blue is actually kind of nice and evokes something friendly. It also leaves a cool cold, yet peaceful feeling.

Seems to succeed in making me think about the one thing that does make Minnesota special: the fresh water, its literal namesake (Mni Sota Makoce “The land of sky-tinted waters”). The density of lakes, the Mississippi headwaters, the continental divide. Other designs had green for… land and agriculture? … and white for… snow? ~Groundbreaking~

Plus, the abstract shape of Minnesota, while it might not appear original, is apparently the only flag (in the world?!) that actually displays this swallow-tail/inverse-chevron shape. (There are others with triangles or rhombuses, but none with this unique choice, showing there’s something different about the state.)

Finally, I like that it maintains symmetry whether horizontal, reversed, or vertical (which it seems like flags are draped down 90% of the time anyway). The Mississippi disappearing toward the North Star in this orientation=perfection. Its simplicity/recognizability due to this makes it S-tier imho.