These US Dollar Bill Concepts Are Better Than The Real Thing

These US Dollar Bill Concepts Are Better Than The Real Thing

While US currency does change a little on occasional, the basic design of the notes has stayed fairly constant: green/black background, a portrait on one side and a pretty picture on the other. These concepts take that classic design and turn it on its head.

They’re the work of designer Travis Purrington, and his philosophy was to create a currency that was forwards-looking, rather than reminiscent of the past. Rather than railroads and 19th-century landscape portraits, you get molecules, astronauts and silicon circuits. As Purrington explains:

This particular series plays on themes of human discovery and endeavours to connect achievement, theory and the fundamental properties of life.

This is of course not a conspiracy to trivialise or shun the great deeds of the past, but to communicate principle rather than effigy permeating through the spirit of industrial, organic and elemental systems.

Aesthetically, I also think he’s nailed it. There’s something strangely appealing about a portrait-oriented banknote. As far as I’m aware (although I’m sure a currency expert will be along to correct me post-haste), every country uses landscape-oriented money, so to see a portrait design is decidedly refreshing. The pastel colours and monochrome contrast definitely gives a modern look, which chimes well with his overall design philosophy.

These US Dollar Bill Concepts Are Better Than The Real Thing

Purrington says that he was inspired by Switzerland, which holds a contest every 20 years or so to redesign the franc. If there was a competition to replace the US’ bills tomorrow, these would definitely get my vote. [Travis Purrington]


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