Photo by Snøetta.

The Central Bank of Norway announced the two winner proposals for the design of the new banknotes. The design of Oslo based studio Snøhetta has been selected to be the foundation for the backsides of the notes, while The Metric System’s design will be the starting point for the fronts.

Photo by Snøetta.

Snøhetta’s pixelated graphic design is created upon the theme The Beauty of Boundaries and pays homage to Norwegian coastal Nature. “The beauty of boundaries is about the transition between sea and land, where something meaningful and interesting happens”. Say at Snøhetta.

Photo by Snøetta.

“Our long coast has created our identity, our heritage, and our industries. It has created national and international transport opportunities, as well as the creation of our welfare society. It is a vivid meeting that creates life. When contrasts come together, as when soft meets hard or digital meets analog, a dynamic is created“.

Photo by Snøetta.

The pixelated graphic design refers both to nowaday visual language and represents and mosaic décor. The cubical pattern constructs the coast, the horizon, and the motive; just as we humans construct our societies on the coast.

Photo by Snøetta.

Snøhetta has chosen black and white photos to enhance the colors of the cubical pattern, as well as to complement the Norwegian style and tone. The pictures contrast the rational system, and have motives with both direct and indirect storytelling.

Photo by Snøetta.

“Our goal is to bring people into creating their own interpretations and associations. You will never know exactly what or how, but the design invites you into the beauty of boundaries – the transition between digital and analog, soft and hard – a dynamic that creates tension and life; just as the boundaries of our coast”.

Photo by Snøetta.