money

Creating social change. Through a more open exchange of ideas. OPENbriefing

values!(visually)

value (functionally)

Currency represents two things:

&

Value (functionally) means

currency is a placeholder for worth

Values (visually) means

its design impacts what we see worth in

The dollar is the world's most dominant reserve currency…

It’s design impacts global cultural cues!(like how the color green represents wealth)

But the rapidly-changing state of money means that

Security-focus has outpaced design-focus

So today, the dollar is secure at the expense of beauty

Which correlates to a bigger, cultural issue in the world:

Security-focus has outpaced design-focus

But if US currency design has such an impact on what the world values…

Why not be both secure and beautiful?

PROBLEM: The rapidly-changing digital state of the world means that security-focus has outpaced design-focus in American paper currency, which also correlates with a shift in global cultural values.

TARGET: The American people first, with carry-over into the global economy. Even if people rarely handle and use US paper money, they’re aware of its design though constant pop-culture cues.

INSIGHT: Design-elements of American currency have the potential to impact what the world sees worth in, thus money should be designed to reflect and elevate cultural values.

MAKE SOMETHING: Redesign American paper currency ($1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100) including reimagining current security elements (see appendix).

SOCIAL CHANGE: What does currency that prioritizes security over beauty say about the society that uses it? The design of money has to potential to elevate and positively impact our cultural values - it should be a daily reminder to people of what is truly valuable.

appendix

Security elements, for reference ($100)

*No security elements on $1 bill

Security elements, for reference ($50/ $20)

*No security elements on $1 bill

Security elements, for reference ($10/ $5)

*No security elements on $1 bill