African Currency

Each of these bank note designs are from one of the 54 countries in African. Looking for recognisable symbols and imagery to use, different distinctive styles that define a section of countries, the commonly used terminology for example pounds, francs and dollars, the general size of each note, any thing that stands out different in African money compared to the rest of the world and common uses of colour and choices of type and numbering systems. Identifying these features will put me in good stead to start creating some preliminary sketches on the idea.

This image is one I have looked at previously in my research but would like to highlight again, as the not represents a number of countries in central africa there is a emphasis on the bank note not being too specific and feeling in a way typically African. The use of a map with small detailed pictograms makes the design feel more personal. The boarder you could say are typical African colours and patterns that work in contrast to the bold illustrations. An African elephant is a large feature that is iconic for the region. This notes design is unmistakably African and is a excellent starting point in my research that I can refer back to for colours, patterns and the composition.

 























As many parts of especially northern African are Arabic speaking countries they sometimes exclusively feature Arabic writing. This is definitely something I have to consider within my work to best represent the continent. The style of these bank notes designs is more geometric and extremely detailed. As christianity and islam are the two most popular religions of African I feel it may be best to feature none of both to try and avoid any controversy. Aside from the Arabic writing there are many examples of these beautiful Islamic temples in tremendous detail. Wether I feature buildings in my designs remains to be seen but if I do I think these would make great additions.
The colours more typically seen for these countries are generally earthy with some contrasting colour on top to bring out the designs, colours is something I will need to think about extensively for this design.

This bank note designs imagery features many symbols to represent the CFA countries featured. Including the @ symbol and a couple of satellite along side some more traditional objects and patterns, representing a more modern side of African is a theme I could look to explore. Here the designs represent both the old and new but in a way that is a bit over the top an confusing.

 African wildlife is something very typically seen and no where on Earth has a ecosystem quite like Africa. These designs for Congo instead of political figures feature famous animals. It makes for a more interesting design that breaks from the normalities of bank note designs.

As it is such a key part of African culture I will definitely look to using animals in my designs as both a main feature and a smaller detail. It is what comes to mind first and will be most recognisable.

The animals lend themselves nicely to illustrations all being so different in size, shape and colour.

These designs for Congo are a nice example of a more minimal design that works well and communicates just as effectively. As there are two sides of the note I think one more detailed and elaborate side an the other a more simple and clear side would make for a more engaging design.


The use of colour for the series means each note is distinct from one another, an important thing in currency design recognition.

 This beautiful image of old Djibouti currency shows a combination of simplicity in the composition and layout of the information but very detailed and uses very well draw imagery and type. Though old fashioned the amount of detail put into the designs in great to see and make for a very admirable object.

Again this design for the Djibouti currency is different and much more expressive in a way and paints a picture of the place. The colours are much more full and vibrant. The clarity of information seems not to be the focus but the artistry of the designs this possibly speaks of the ethos of Djibouti being a more laid back place. A very different design to any I have seen that is very refreshing showing that anything is a possibility.

 Egypt has one of the oldest developed civilisations on the planet and features some very iconic imagery. Egypt also has one of the seven wonders of the world in the Pyramids of Giza this is something I should consider using in my designs as it is iconic and especially the hieroglyphic imagery would work within bank note design show in the designs above. 

Victoria Falls on the boarder from Zambia and Zimbabwe is one of the largest waterfalls in the world and has been shown in this bank note design above. The simple design here really caught my eye the use of a few elements composed in the right way with a lot of space brings them out and stands out even though it is straightforward. 

The old Ethiopian bank note features this amazing image of a lion with a complex pattern surrounding it. The symmetrical nature of the design is eye catching and a feature I want to look at using in my designs.

Ghanaian money is something that seems to always be very expressive in its design the use of vivid imagery and complicated type and numbering. These four designs from different time periods show just how expressive they can be. The use of colour especially in the last image shows that the designs can be very loud and uneasy on the eye but remain impacting and recognisable.

 This bank note for Guyana features element that really caught my eye. The yellow, white and blue patterns in the right and left edge stand out in the designs due to the simple use of colour in contrast to the rest of the designs. The bank note features around nine very different typefaces this make the design so confusing and hard to read this is something I must get right in my designs to avoid confusion.

 These designs show another different style, that feel much more like a classical painting in a way. Due to the choice of toned down colours and elaborate patterns and imagery. Again another very different style is great to see and opens up more possible design opportunities.

This is another example of a totally different bank note design the designs looks as if they have been made on fabric rather than paper, this is a consideration I had not thought about and it is good to seem some change. The imagery is extremely jolly and this is something rarely seen in back note design. The use of a flat single coloured background is another thing not typically seen and gives the design a different style.

 Madagascan currency has a huge emphasis on nature, the use of animals and plant life throughout the designs is distinctive. This is something I will look to experiment with in my designs. As using nature shows no opinion and could not been seen as controversial and is a great way to express African culture. Another element of these designs I love is the word 'Banky' this is the only time I have seen the word bank changed and its very funny!

This Namibian currency once again features animals but in a more modern design. The large amounts of space used places all the emphasis on the animals, the colours of green and purple really contrast each other and have a interesting two tone feel to them. This process would lend itself to screen printing.

This Somalian Shilling currency designs feature some farmers working on the banana farms. As farming is an large part of African culture this is another thing I would like to highlight in my preliminary designs.

These designs for the Sudanese Pound are some of my favourite of any of the Africa's currency. There are some many eye catching elements. The cross cultural feel of the designs is something I have not before seen work to such a great level. The information is clear but expressed in a a variety of languages and styles and this is something I could need to implement in my designs. The use of both traditional imagery of animals, landscapes and patterns is put together alongside more modern feeling designs including new technologies. The colour combinations all seem to compliment each other yet remain visible, every bank note uses a dominant colour for the most important information like the text and this system is carried on throughout all the designs. The illustrations and patterns are colour is not as bright and create a hierarchy of information. This technique I will try and implement into my own designs as if I chose to screen print I will only be able to use a limited amount of colours. The images and text remain in the same place on each note to emphasis clarity and readability throughout the series of notes. A gridded system is seen in all the designs but some illustrations seem to expand out of this, this brings them to life and connects the different sections of the design.

This design for one dollar of Trinidad and Tobagos' currency uses a symmetrical layout. For one side of my bank note I am considering using this symmetrical system. The coat of arms is a symbol often see in African currency and should be something to look into. 

Considering the name for the currency (franc, pound, dollar) I will look at using a variety of names for now until in my sketches and decided at a later date.