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

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Samantha Apollis, a CPUT Graphic Design student, has won the sixth annual National Bank Note Design Competition. The award was presented at a spectacular gala which took place on 22 August 2008 in Pretoria.

The third year from the Bellville campus, scooped the first prize in this year’s competition, organised by the South African Bank Note Society (SABNS) and hosted by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The aim of the competition is to obtain proposals of bank note designs that might be used as a reference when official notes are designed.

About 300 entrants were selected nationwide of which three of the top ten finalists were from CPUT, namely Shameeg Baza, Samantha Apollis and Ziyaad Hendricks.

Ultimately Apollis emerged the overall winner of the competition. “It was shocking when they announced that I was the winner,” said Apollis.

She added that winning the competition boosted her confidence even more than expected and that she was happy that people were able to notice her work. Managing Director SABNS and Chief Adjudicator Musa Mbhele presented a cheque to the winner. The finalists had the opportunity to deliver presentations on their designed work to the invited guests and representatives from both SARB and SABNS. Students were not allowed to use existing bank note designs, colours, images or patterns as a reference or even at starting point.

Apollis, encouraged all the students to “utilise the exposure offered by CPUT through participating in such competitions” because this is a starting platform. “Such opportunities help us to gain a wider perspective of the real industry, so let’s grab it with both hands” said Apollis.

Graphic design lecture Lionel Franciscus said that this is the second time that CPUT has participated in the competition to redesign a full set of South African bank notes. In 2007 CPUT students participated in the competition for the first time and were placed in the top ten but didn’t win. The first prize was scoped by the Vega Brand Communications School.

“This year we are happy to announce that we have the title and hope to retain it again in this intense competition,”said Franciscus.

CPUT has sent its congratulations to Ms Apollis, the two finalists and the entire graphic design dept for their hard work and passion for graphic design. <p.By Ruth Chisesa, Marketing and Communication Department</p.

Written by CPUT News

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