African bank note sketches.

After researching current and past currency of Africa I have began sketches of my own ideas of a universal currency representing every country. Creating a large range of ideas will further my thinking on the theme and will always open up possible avenues in a project that don't come to mind at first. I want to look at using a combination of a few of these ideas, as bank notes are usually highly detailed for security reasons they should include a number of design features.

Idea 1. Using some of the old design features of African currency for Congo and Djibouti as shown above. Try and replicate the intricate type and hand drawn imagery. The focus on the wildlife of Africa. Using some illustrations from these old notes in my own sketches is something I may continue into my next designs. 

Idea 2. Monuments of Africa. Thinking about the variety of different monuments and piece's of ancient architecture across Africa there aren't too many buildings that stand out here I have features the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the African Renaissance Monument in Senegal, the Great mosque of Djenné in Mali and the Afrikaans Language Mounument in South Africa. These monuments are all structurally different and represent a range of architectural triumphs in there own different ways across very different time periods. I could refer back to these buildings in my design at a later date if I chose to continue with the idea.

Idea 3. Using only illustrations of the wild life of Africa. Being so recognisable and a icon of Africa this is something I am considering heavily in my designs. The style of illustration is something I am not sure about.

Idea 4. African Masks. This is a topic I looked at in a pervious project, being such iconic and interesting objects that have had many influences in modern day art and textures in Africa and around the world. There are so many different examples to look into with very different styles. This is another design feature I may look at using with a few other ideas together.

Idea 5. Using all the 54 countries names in Africa. Using due to the large amount of countries that make up Africa there is an opportunity to use the names in an interesting arrangement of type. This idea I think would work very well using letterpress. This is an idea I may come back to but I think this could be too time consuming. This is another of the ideas that would work with more ideas alongside it.

Idea 6. Using textures patterns typically seen in Africa. Being know for its fabric design there are so many examples of beautifully detail and graphic textile and pattern designs seen across africa. This idea implements this pattern across the whole bank note design as the focal point, the type would then be places onto of this.

Idea 7. Vertical Map. Looking at using a large map of the different counties in Africa in a vertical format. Seen a lot in my research on new proposed currency redesigns in vertical format gives the designs a originality. Using the map of Africa is something I will definitely use in my designs.

Idea 8. Simplicity. Using a very minimal design for the note, in high contrast to the other designs seen, with all the emphasis on clarity of communication. This idea I think is more something to consider rather than a definitive idea. Making one of the two side of the note more clear, readable and the other more complex is something to also consider.  

Idea 9. Modern architecture. As Africa has some excellent examples of modern architecture that many people are not aware of this could be a possible concept to look into. Though I think this may not fully represent the true Africa. It remains an interesting theme to possibly look into at a later point.

Idea 10. Using a variety of type faces and languages. As seen in my research on African currency and specifically the Sudanese Pound notes using a variety of languages and symbols on one note to show the range of different cultures throughout 

Africa.

Idea 11. This idea uses the lion seen on the old Ethiopian bank notes. This idea I feel doesn't relate enough to the money of the future theme in this project.

Idea 12. Using the flags of Africa. All having a similar use of shape and colour the flags of Africa are very visual and graphic. They would lend themselves to a bank note design. The range of colours though and intricate details may be hard to replicate as a traditional print.

Idea 13. Traditional African Plants. As every country in the world has a national tree this could be a feature of my designs. Highlighting exclusively these plants is something that will not have been seen before. This will make the designs stand out.  The trees are each very different and interesting, this is something I would like to look at using in any design I chose. 

Idea 14. Negative space of African map. Show above in the Burundi currency using the surrounding space as flat colour make the designs really stand out. This is something I could use as well as another idea and would not be too over powering.

Idea 15. Using Football. Being the most popular sport in Africa this idea felt appropriate. African football is know for being one of the most passionate in the world and could make for an interesting bank note design. The African Cup of nations could be a possible research point. 

Idea 17. Using the past present and future. Using examples of African culture throughout history with recent astronomical triumphs, traditional patterns and the wildlife typically seen in Africa. This is something I highlighted a few times in my research and would be an engaging concept to look into.

Idea 18. Farming. As farming is a large part of African culture I wanted to feature this is one of my designs. It could be used effectively if the image is composed in a dynamic way, this is true for a lot of these ideas it is about the quality of how these ideas are carried out that will make the work engaging. Moving forward I would like to see how I can use a few of these ideas together in my next design sketches.