CPUT money makers take flight

Jarryd Newman and Anton Pope, two talented Graphic Design students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (VPUT) will be flown to Pretoria in August by the South African Bank Note Society (SABNS) to present their bank note designs to the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Tito Mboweni.

This presentation will be the culmination of a national competition initiated by the South African Bank Note Society. Five finalists, three of whom will fly to Pretoria, were announced at the public viewing of the designs, coinciding with a collector’s fair that took place in the Old Mutual hall at Kirstenbosch Gardens during March.

In a briefing session in early 2007 conducted by Dr Heinz Wirz, President of the South African Bank Note Society, students were asked to design a series of five bank notes that would symbolically act as a passport for South Africa. Students were also required to design two banknotes that would be functional across the thirteen SADC countries as well as a commemorative 2010 South African bank note.

The challenge for the students was to create designs that were well researched, incorporating all the technical and security elements, while being aesthetically appealing, classic, functional and politically correct. The banknote designs, according to the objectives of the competition, should be of a calibre that would afford them the opportunity to be used as a reference when official notes are designed, if required.

Mr Lionel Franciscus, a final year Graphic Design lecturer said, “There was a good standard of work although some were better than others. It’s amazing how intricate the process is of designing money, with all the security features and technical specifications.”

Jarryd described the theme of his designs as the symbolic meaning behind the elements of the coat of arms. He said, “The meaning of each element has been translated into a South African landscape, its features and landmarks.”

Anton chose as his motifs, the main freedom fighters and Nobel Peace prize winners of our country including Nelson Mandela, FW De Klerk, Desmond Tutu, Joe Slovo, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Albert Luthuli.

The competition according to Dr Wirz aims to pre-empt research required to take action in designing new bank notes for South Africa. He also says, “Through this competition, the South African Bank Note Society hopes to raise awareness among Graphic Design students about the many facets involved in creating banknotes, as well as teaching the students about becoming good ambassadors for their designs.

*The South African Bank Note Society is involved in teaching and promotion of the hobby of collecting bank notes and the fostering of the study thereof.

Written by CPUT News

Email: news@cput.ac.za