Ideas

When generating design ideas I began by drawing a rectangular shape around the average size for a bank note and worked in just pen an pencil, this way of working is what the designer of the dutch guilder Ootje Oxenarr did in his process. The idea I have tried to keep loose quick and simple. Each idea is very different from one another, this will help broaden my outcomes.

Idea 1. Looking at celebrating the more digital age that seems to be ever growing. Using Geometric patterns and shapes in a new very modern approach. The designs would try and honour the web and the way money is interacted with in current technology. The geometric patterns and circuit board designs would be an interesting change from typical money designs. Though this idea has been explored before as seen a few times in my research. 

Idea 2.  A more playful idea looking at Kanye West's proposed 2020 submission in the presidential election, creating a spoof design for the Rap artists money of the future, inevitably being all about Kanye. This idea is much more light hearted and a bit of fun. I don't think it is really very appropriate and could be confusing it is nice to experiment with some more comical approaches to keep each design fresh.

Idea 3. Looking at various famous art movements in this case Surrealism, creating a one off series  bank note design. This idea could be a promotion of gallery of some kind. Other examples could be Piet Mondrian for the De Stijl movement and Andy Warhol for Pop art. Art within design is an area I am interested in and could create interesting outcomes. In a group critic of our design ideas this particular idea another student was thinking of doing so I feel though it could have potential I don't think I should continue with it.

Idea 4. A bank note to celebrate modernism. Like the design ides for the Dutch Guilder using the Reitvild Schroder House of the De Stijl movement. Using all typefaces colours and styles of the various works associated with modernism in the early 20th century. Modernism had a large influence in culture and design in this period and there is a wealth of possible design avenues with this idea. With organised lines and an emphasis on function over form the design would be different and interesting, but may not represent enough the theme of 'Money of the Future' 

Idea 5. A Universal Currency. A singular currency that can be used world wide. Showing the conversion rate with the other most common currencies.  Thinking about the internet as a place where money is moved around frequently and identifying that a universal note would help confusion and promote world trade.

Idea 6. A celebration of architecture. Using some of the greats of world architecture and creating a bank note to show all of the greatest achievements in their career. Here Mies van der Rohe with the German Pavillion, the Barcelona chair, Villa Tugendhat and the IBM building in Chicago. The different sizes and styles of the work would lend themselves to intricate drawings on a bank note. But again but may not represent enough the theme of 'Money of the Future'.

Idea 7. Due to the lack of women featured on not only bank notes but passport designs and other forms of representing the achievements of a particular country. These note designs would only feature inspirational women and celebrate their achievements. This idea would create some curious discussions and there is a large amount of research to look into. Im not sure this idea is really for me the topic is something I am interested in but I want my bank note to be something a little more different and unseen before. 

Idea 8. A comment on American culture and some aspects that are a little overlooked like the serious gun crime problems, the issue of fast food, big corporations and very questionable politics in this case the less than charming Donald Trump. This idea is more of a political and social comment on American society but could be seen as controversial for this project.

Idea 9. Bitcons. Looking at creating a physical note for the trading of Bitcons. A universal currency the can be traded around the world and then scanned into carry out the transaction. This idea is a combination of idea one and five but with the feature of a bade code or QR code as an element to link currency with online use. This idea has some interesting themes to explore in terms of a futuristic money and poses plenty of research if pursued. 

Idea 10. A bank note design that celebrates scientific discoveries. Due to this idea being seen a few times in my research in the proposed redesigns for the U.S dollar is seemed a obvious idea to look into. The banknote would include a number of various achievements in recent years in technology and science. 

Idea 11. A bank note of Africa. Combining all fifty four countries in Africa in a one universal currency. As Africa has such a large variety of cultures, landscapes, buildings and wildlife this idea could have so much possible content. Being the second largest continent in the world the idea would probably not work in real life, but for this project could be an different and interesting idea. The continent being the second largest in the world there is so many different ways to look at it. 

Idea 12. Optical Illusion currency. As illusions in the designs in my research were often an intriguing aspect of the currencies design especially in the old Romanian notes I wanted to look at replicating some of these shapes and patterns. The design would be eye catching if done right.

Idea 13. Bank note design for the british pound with a QR code for online use. This idea is a variation of idea 9, trying to combine printed bank notes with online currency. Agian this theme has a connection with the idea of money of the future and what it make look like and what format it would take up.

Idea 14. Universal currency. Another design idea for universal currency with the use of a world map showing each of the various currency symbols of each place in the location on the map. I think this idea creating a new currency for a number of countries is something will a lot of design possibilities and different outcomes.

Idea 15. Japanese woodblock bank note. As the design is printed the old Japanese woodblock prints of Hokusai and Kawase Hasui are some of my favourite printed artworks creating a bank note in that style for the Japanese Yen. The prints being so detailed they would lend themselves to use in bank notes. These prints are something that interests me and I have already some knowledge of. 

Idea 16. Tarantino characters. Using some of my favourite characters from Quentin Tarantino's films. Django seen here is an example of the unique characters seen in the films that would really lend themselves to a series of bank notes. This is another quite play full idea basing the designs on film characters is something I had not coincided in my ideas until now, this shows the importance of creating a real range of designs. The idea in a way doesn't really represent the money of the future though a good concept might look out of place in the exhibition.

Idea 17. Collage of bank notes. Taking elements from interesting looking bank notes from around the world in a systematic collage showing the different styles, symbols and images. This idea is quite different and using collage is a technique that will not be used much in other designs, this would stand out as different in the exhibition. I think this collage theme could be applied to another idea and shouldn't be limited to just this idea.

Idea 18. Combining symbols. Similar to the pervious idea but without collage, using some of the symbols represented on the bank notes from around the world in one unified design. Representing the variety of countries and their cultures. The design is visually alluring and make for something very different this mix match of styles but may be confusing and difficult to understand.

Idea 19. British Sculpture. Looking at a new pound banknote designs featuring examples of Great British sculpture. As Yorkshire has many examples of great sculpture with the Hepworth Gallery and Henri Moore Institute being so close I could use some primary research to further my investigation.

Idea 20. British Art. Similar to idea 19 but using some classic works of art, like William Turner, David Hockney, Damien Hirst and John Constable. This idea is again to far from the money of the future theme and would be using works too connected with the past. 

Idea 21. The Seven Wonders of the World. Using the iconic buildings in one bank note. The places being so iconic and memorable the designs would stand out and feel recognisable. With this idea there is once again the problem of the design not being connected to the money of the future theme. 

Within discussions in my group critic I explained my favourites of the twenty four designs. The two ideas that stood out as the most popular and best to move forward in were eleven and seventeen the designs for an African Bank note and the Collage Idea. The idea of combining a few ideas was also suggested to make the final outcomes even more engaging.