Why this design? How our own CPT. Gerhard Pretorius came up with this iconic design.

Why this design?

Short Answer:
It looks pretty.

Long Answer:
I am really being put on the spot here. I make pretty pictures; I generally do not fare as well at extended amounts of text…and they gave me a target of 500 words.

In the Beginning:
Back in about 4000 BC, we made the wheel and never looked back on that design decision. Hence, my choice to go with the classic, timeless circle. It is very important to try and use elements within your design that will look good several years (or even several decades) from now. Circles = always good. Shout out to squares and hexagons though.
The black ring is also a mainstay of design. A good, solid colour that politely sits in the back, letting all the other colours on top of it look good. White would like to try and tell you that it can do the same job just as well, but immediately shuts up when black walks in the room. Seeing as we will be putting text on top of this black ring, it is essential that they are as clear as possible to read, and black’s got your back.
Along with the text we also sprinkle in a few golden rings and laurel leaves to add to the body of our design soup. The choice to include laurels, is in reference to the laurels you see on the United Federation of Planets flag. A small hint that helps tie it all back to Star Trek. Remember: You’re not blatantly copying them; you’re making a homage.
As for the choice to make the additional details gold, it is a standard of naval organisations all over the world to use gold on their insignia. Conveniently they also tend to put these gold details on a black background to make them as visible as possible. Absolute coincidence that I have done the same. Promise.
This design then must become more than the sum of its parts. In addition to the expectation that it has to look just as good ten years from now, it must now also carefully tread the line of looking good while also making the logo design in the middle of it look good as well. It must be obvious and clear, while also not drawing too much attention away from the Auxiliary/Chapter/Region represented within it. It must compliment, not overwhelm. Be simple, yet iconic. Have incredible flavour, yet be vegan friendly.
So, what it really comes down to at the end of the day, is respectful plagiarism. You look at all the cool things other people have done before you. You pay attention to the tried and tested winners. You choose the items that work best for your purpose. You put these things together in a way that does not look terrible. Graphic design (at its core) is really just arranging things in pleasant ways.
And would you look at that, just 10 more words and I will finally be at 500.