Money is currency and currency has value and value means it is important and because it is important it must be…dramatic and playful?
Money acts as a form of branding and representation, millions of tiny billboards that exchange hands daily, travel around in pockets and become lodged in the public perception of value and indeed national identity. So why do so many national currencies depict figureheads and faces that no longer represent what a country stands for or values? Faces or buildings that mean little to nothing to the average individual and in some cases are value opposing and of a different time, of a different people.
With something so prevalent and present in everyday life, it is easy to accept the reasoning. Money is important and therefore must be taken seriously. But the Dutch had other ideas:
Changing the identity of a nation away from famous often controversial, questionable faces and seriousness towards brighter, surroundings-inspired artwork not only had the opportunity the brighten the days of the Dutch handling it but also change the perception of currency and why citizens should not have to settle for outdated representation be it through currency or any other means that represents them.
In this image, George Washington adorns the American note, the King of England appears on the British pounds and on the Dutch Guilder? Not a deceased head of state nor a contentious monarch in sight.
Unfortunately for the Dutch, they lost this currency with the implementation of the Euro but the work of Ootje Oxenaar remains an example of design with the citizen in mind.
This content was posted because it aligns with Pitchdrop’s core values.
– Change for good
– Challenging ideas and norms
