CRITERION A

Mr.Bank's Previous Feedback:

"Your design brief is well-written - it integrates points from all sections of Criterion A and sets out some very clear parameters for your design work in Criterion B."

My Concluded Action Point:

I will therefore build on this skill to write an effective design brief that includes what I plan to create in my criterion B development. 

Who: The clients of the product are The Bank of Canada & The Royal Canadian Mint. The product will be designed for the use of Canadian citizens (my audience), whom should feel united by the product's message. 

What: The problem is that the audience has deemed the current Canadian currency to be an inaccurate and outdated representation of the Canadian identity. To provide a better representation of Canada's diverse character, a fresh, modernized form of Canadian currency that reflects its multiculturalism is hence required. 

Why: The current Canadian currency is considered inaccurate/outdated because it does not represent the diversity of the Canadian people, focussing primarily on the white/European important historical figures as opposed to those across numerous cultural backgrounds. Having been produced 10-15 years ago, it also does not reflect the more recent events that have impacted the Canadian identity (such as the rise in Indigenous movements/awareness, like the TRC's (Truth and Reconciliation Commission's) final report of human injustices faced by the Indigenous people of Canada in 2015).

Where: The product will be created in the TMS Grade 10 Design course and designed for the people of Canada.

When: The product will be developed throughout the months of November 2023 - February 2024. 

How: For the creation of this product, I will be using the following applications;

• Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator - Used for creating my designs

• Hand-drawing techniques and design development strategies for ideation process 

• Research/Analysis of significant Canadian historical figures 

• Evaluation of my final product through testing with members of the official Bank of Canada

Egyptian neuropsychiatrist, Sherief Marzouk, has had quite the upbringing, living in a number of different countries throughout his life, namely the United States of America, Canada, and of course, Egypt. Thus, to conduct my primary research in regards to currency, I interviewed Dr.Marzouk (written interview displayed below), asking him the following questions about the different types of currency he has been exposed to: 

• Of the 3 main countries you have lived in (listed above), which country's currency did you find you were most drawn to? Why? 

• In your experience, how does the design-aspect of currency affect its overall functionality to its user (you)? 

• Were you to change a certain aspect of a country's currency you found to be less aesthetically appealing, what would you change? Why is this important in currency design? 

Economic Functions:

Facilitating Transactions 

• Money serves as a medium of exchange, as a store value, and unit of account (CliffsNotes, 2021)

• In terms of its specific economic role: Currency helps encourage economic activity within Canada through increasing the market for various goods (seeing as it indicates an item's valuableness), enabling consumers to find wealth and hence address long-term needs (Ma, 2022)

THEREFORE: Its design plays a central role in being a representation of an item's value - Although the currency's design doesn't directly affect its value, a well-designed bill and significant symbolism can subtly boost public confidence in the money. Its circulation, acceptance, and stability in the market—along with other elements that affect how valuable people perceive it overall—can all be positively impacted by this confidence. 

Political Functions: 

Currency's International Influence & Power 

• A nation's influence and reputation abroad can be improved by having a strong and stable currency.

• A country's trade relations, foreign investments, and geopolitical power (Ma, 2022) can all be impacted by the value of its currency on global markets. 

• A nation's place in the world can be significantly impacted by political choices and actions intended to preserve a stable currency exchange rate or to enhance the value of the national currency.

THEREFORE: This stability is in part determined by how effective or ineffective the currency is designed, as external appearance plays a large role in how we perceive what is around us (in which case, currency would be said external appearance). 

Fulfilling Canada's National Identity: 

Cultural Representation & Historical Significance

• Canadian currency often offers variety in cultural symbols, landmarks, and depictions of Canada's rich history.

• FOR EXAMPLE: Images of notable historical figures such as former prime ministers/human rights activists, help honor the nation's rich cultural diversity and the societal contributions of its citizens.

• THEREFORE: Canadian currency plays a role in acknowledging the collective memory and shared history of the Canadian people. This in turn helps foster a sense of nationalism within Canadian citizens. 

Size of Canadian Currency: All notes (from 1954 onward) measure 152.4mm (6in) x 69.86mm (2.75in) 

Nickel - 21.2mm (diameter) x 1.76mm (thickness)

Dime - 18.03mm (diameter) x 1.22mm (thickness)

Quarter - 23.88mm (diameter) x 1.58mm (thickness)

Loonie - 26.5mm (diameter) x 1.95mm (thickness) 

Toonie - 28mm (diameter) x 1.8mm (thickness) 

ADVANTAGE: This size allows for practicality in storage and transportation; its small size (in bills and coins) makes it easy to carry and more convenient in terms of daily use for the user. 

DISADVANTAGE: Larger-sized currency may be easier to handle and count, particularly for those with visual impairments/find it difficult to handle smaller objects. This would enhance the accessibility of Canadian currency. 

The client is in need of a product that is durable and long-lasting, yet easily handled (eg: When counting through a stack of dollar bills as well as transportation, such a feature would be extremely helpful). 

Cotton-Linen Paper Blend:

Because it is resilient and long-lasting, a blend of cotton and linen fibers is often used in the creation of banknotes. This substance offers a strong foundation for adding complex security elements, including security threads and watermarks, to banknotes, guaranteeing their durability and resistance to counterfeiting.

Polymer Substrate:

Compared to conventional paper-based currencies, polymer banknotes are more durable since they are composed of a synthetic polymer substance. The longevity of these notes is increased by their resistance to ripping, dampness, and dirt. Furthermore, polymer banknotes frequently have cutting-edge security features like holographic components and clear windows, which strengthens their resistance to counterfeiting.

Metal alloys (nickel, copper, and zinc):

Because of their durability and capacity to endure repeated handling, metallic compositions are frequently used in coin minting. These alloys guarantee that coins retain their structural integrity and form throughout time. Additionally, because of their metallic qualities, coins may be clearly identified by weight.

THEREFORE: Materials help provide an appropriate base for the installation of significant security/accessibility features. 

Resource:

U.S. Currency Education Program. (2020). Currency Facts | U.S. Currency Education Program. The U.S. Currency Education Program. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.uscurrency.gov/about-us/currency-facts 

Polymer Substrate: This strong polymer material prevents counterfeiting attempts by allowing the insertion of sophisticated security features like holographic pictures and transparent windows.

Raised Ink and Tactile Elements: Contains raised ink and tactile elements that facilitate touch identification, making counterfeiters' job more difficult.

Security Threads: Embedded threads that can change color or have distinctive patterns that are visible under certain lighting situations, making reproduction difficult and acting as a visible authentication element.

Holographic Features & Foils: Difficult to copy dynamic components that change appearance depending on angle, including metallic stripes or holographic images that serve as visual identifiers of authenticity.

Microtext and Fine Details: This adds another level of security to the process of verifying that banknotes are authentic by including microtext and fine details that are visible under magnification.

THEREFORE: Security features help provide a sense of authenticity to Canadian currency. 

Tactile Features:

• • Raised markings and embossed dots through various patterns allow for those who are visually impaired to identify forms of currency through touch.

Large Numerals and High-Contrast Colors:

• • Clear, bold, and distinct numbering in large print on both the front and back of the banknotes again helps the visually impaired to better identify denominations

Differentiated Sizes:

• • Graduated sizing of banknotes allows for faster differentiation between denominations by touch, helping those who find difficulty distinguishing between colours 

Braille Features:

• • Inclusion of Braille characters, such as the denomination number, on some banknotes helps those who are blind/have low vision (THEREFORE: providing a greater sense of inclusivity to the Canadian banknote)

Anti-Counterfeit Elements in Tactile Form:

• • Incorporation of raised ink, textured elements, and unique features that are able to be touched aid those who are visually impaired and avoids counterfeiting 

The initial problem was that the Bank of Canada/The Royal Canadian Mint as well as the Canadian public have deemed the current Canadian currency to be a wrongful representation of the various modern elements of the Canadian identity. From my primary and secondary research, I can conclude that various aspects of a country’s currency design contribute to its effectiveness/ineffectiveness for its user: Fostering a sense of national identity through the use of important historical figures [1]; the convenience of its size in terms of portability and every-day use [2]; the materials it contains to build a strong foundation for the installation of security/accessibility features, particularly metal alloys, polymer substrate, and cotton-linnen paper blend [3]; security features (such as security threads and holograms), which aid in the prevention of counterfeiting and provide a sense of authenticity to said currency [4]; accessibility features (such as braille features and largely-written numbers), which provide a greater sense of inclusivity to currency [5]. From my existing product analysis, I have concluded that the following features make a banknote's design effective: Use of national symbols and consistent colour schemes (aesthetic); security features like a serial number and raised ink on the bill's portraits; accessibility features to help the visually impaired such as braille and clear contrast; a small size (similar to the Canadian $10 bill, 152.4 millimetres (6.00 in) x 69.85 millimetres (2.750 in)) to ensure of easy transportation; and a long-lasting material, like polymer. From my analysis of Elyse Dodge’s work, I can conclude that her use of geometric abstraction and a vibrant colour palette contributed to creating her unique, distinctive style as a designer. The global context, communicating national identity, is in part defined by a designer’s ability to offer a fresh take on a national symbol, in which case being the Canadian banknote. Therefore, incorporating the elements of my secondary research highlighted above along with Dodge’s design features will ensure my product offers a unique and modernized take on the Canadian banknote that also instills a sense of identity within Canadians. 

My banknotes will feature Mike Drewoth (the founder of Al-Rashid Mosque, the first Mosque built in Canada in 1938) and Zarqa Nawaz (a Muslim-Canadian journalist and author whose sensational TV show, Little Mosque on the Prarie, was the first to offer the Muslim perspective on prejudices the community experiences in the Western world) are exemplary representations of the global context. The Canadian identity of the present is characterized by the integration of diverse cultures into one unit and the collaboration between them to work towards resolving societal issues. Hence, leaders like Mike Drewoth and Zarqa Nawaz, who emphasize unity in diversity and challenge stereotypes and promote cultural representation, add distinctive viewpoints to the story of Canada's multicultural heritage and help to shape a greater national identity. 

I will be redesigning the $20 (featuring historical figure, Zarqa Nawaz) and the $100 (featuring historical figure, Mike Drewoth) banknotes, incorporating Dodge’s abstract geometrics on the Mosque I will use as a “landscape” for $100 bill, as well as the film camera I will use in the foreground of the $20 bill. I will be using the $20 and $100 bills because the Queen, who is currently the face of the $20 bill, is no longer alive, and nor is Sir Robert Borden, who is currently the face of the $100 bill. My design will be inspired by Elyse Dodge's unique design style; By incorporating geometric abstraction and a vibrant, consistent (as mentioned in product analysis) colour scheme, I can emulate this uniqueness in my banknote.