Designers Rip Into The New $5 Note
The new $5 note has received a lashing the past 24 hours.
Yesterday, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) revealed the design of the $5 note pending its official release on September 1 this year.
But not everyone is loving it. Within hours of the RBA release, articles popped up around the interwebs parodying the design. Below is the new note, sans parodies.
News.com.au called it ‘vomit like’ – referencing social media posts – and Pedestrian.TV pulled together the numerous photoshopped fivers that are circulating. It’s garnered so much traction online The Guardian opened a thread for its audience to have their say. And it’s been picked up overseas by The Telegraph in the UK and New Zealand’s stuff.co.nz.
Not everyone abolishes the design – this journo liked it – but it’s hard to ignore the scornful comments coming from social media. Some designers too aren’t pleased with it, labelling it a “wasted opportunity”, a late April Fool’s joke and rendering it ‘design-by-committee’.
True, we do not have the brief for the design, so the comments are coming purely from an observational viewpoint. B&T understands the design was from a culmination of work from internal and external designers, with work from RBA’s printing company Note Printing Australia. The RBA selected one design from three and a preferred designer to refine the note.
Still, that hasn’t stopped Jaid Hulsbosch, director at design agency Hulsbosch, from quipping it’s like a late April Fool’s joke.
“I believe the Next Generation $5 note is very embarrassing for Australian design,” he told B&T.
“It unfortunately does not set a new standard; this was a great opportunity to create a design hallmark that reflected Australia’s ambitions and enterprise for the future.”
“I think the Queen looks like the rest of us feel,” remarked Graham Barton, creative director at design and branding agency Folk.
“They’re not great are they?”
Both Barton and Jennifer Segail, managing director and founder at design agency Jam&Co, agree it looks like ‘design-by-committee’ – a colloquialism for an idea that has many designers but no clear concept.
“You need to have focus otherwise the design can become confused and complicated which I think is what has happened here,” said Segail. “My opinions are purely based on what I see in front of me, but understand that the brief and the process would have played a major role in this rather disappointing outcome.”
Barton added it was “grasping at prickly straws”.
“It’s commendable to retain a distinctly Australian signature, resisting the temptation to simply gravitate to another’s visual style – be it drop-shadowy-Americana or Euro-minimalism,” he said.
But, if this is reflective of a nation, it’s unsurprising it’s getting paid out so much.
While the RBA said the note was designed to maintain the similar elements of the original $5, so as not to confuse people, Jam&Co’s Segail begs to differ.
“I believe it has been a wasted opportunity,” she said. “Surely we, Australia, should be able to update and modernise a $5 note quite dramatically without confusing people who are pulling notes from their wallets.”
Dan Ratner, managing director from design agency uberbrand believed the design was a missed opportunity to celebrate Aussie icon Fred Hollows.
“While there is a definite place for Queen Elizabeth in our currency, the five dollar note presents a great chance to showcase a true Australian hero who championed tirelessly to restore sight to those in need,” he said.
“There’s even a petition to ‘Put Fred on the Fiver’ instead of the current Parliament House image.”
And the actual design elements of the note are questioned.
“The complete mix match of images, lack of element hierarchy, and overall feeling of design confusion makes us look like we don’t know who we are,” said Segail.
“The overall artwork lacks simplicity and consistency – two critical principles for any iconic design,” put in Hulsbosch.
“It’s an over-complicated vision that results in a contradictory layout with a battle of detail versus graphic elements. You can’t have both. From the Queen’s head and on the reverse side Parliament House; the overwrought detailing fights wildly with interpretative graphics of the Prickly Moses wattle and the Easters Spinebill.”
Still, the ‘tactile’ element introduced to make the note easier to distinguish for those with visual impairments is to be applauded, added Hulsbosch.
And yet Folk’s Barton said the practicalities have overpowered the aesthetics.
“Clearly, practicality has been prioritised over aesthetics,” he said. “Assisting the vision impaired and foiling forgers. Which is difficult to argue against. But not impossible.”
Please login with linkedin to comment
$5 note Advertising Standards Bureau Blis Media customer fatigue reserve bank of australiaLatest News
Would TikTok Be Missed?
In this opinion piece, Alpha Digital’s head of performance Amir Rezaee outlines the impact to brands of a potential banning of TikTok in Australia The six weeks or so since TikTok announced its local Australian office has been a busy period. Aiming to make a similar impression on SMBs as it has on its 1.6m […]
NextMedia’s frankie And Gardening Australia Magazines Report “Surge In Sales”
Amid the sadness of magazine closures, the challenges of COVID-19, and industry concern as companies merge or change hands, some magazines are thriving. NextMedia titles such as the much-loved frankie and ABC Gardening Australia magazine have been enjoying a surge in sales during this period of home isolation. Gardening Australia retail sales have been robust […]
Mag Closures & The New Landscape For Earned Media
In this guest post, MINT’s publicity director, Nathan McIlroy (pictured below), explores the new norm for Australian media and says Bauer’s/Mercury Capital’s recent mag closures should be viewed as an exciting opportunity for the brave… Last week’s announcement that new owners Mercury Capital were to permanently close eight of Bauer Media’s magazines sent shockwaves through […]
“Worst Year In Living Memory!” Aussie Ad Spends Plummet 14.7% In 2019/20
As expected, 2019/20 ad spends make for very difficult reading indeed. Even more so if you've forgotten your glasses.
Jamie Whincup And A Host Of Aussie Personalities Star In Club Marine Series
In a first for the Australian insurance market, Club Marine, Australia’s largest provider of boat and pleasure-craft insurance, has released a new series of videos to help explain insurance cover. With a few familiar Aussie personalities to help out, Club Marine is helping its members, as well as the broader boating community, to understand the […]
Ultimate Edge Communications Welcomes Michaela Fulop Back As Client Success Manager
Sydney, July 31st, 2020: Sydney-based media marketing consultancy Ultimate Edge Communications (UEC) announces a new hire in the company’s media team; Michaela Fulop returns to fill the vacant role of Client Success Manager, to be the go-to person across the full client roster.
No Change At The Top! Initiative Remains Top Performing Media Agency For June
June's new business wins is pretty much the same as May's, just with a few less factual inaccuracies this time around.
DDB Still Top Dog For New Business Wins For June
DDB still top agency for new business wins. Sadly, has postponed celebratory rooftop effigy burning due to high winds.
Australian Advertising Students To Compete In Advertising Capstone Challenge
Ad grads set to compete in the Capstone Challenge. Which sadly doesn't appear to include a hotdog eating component.
Harold Mitchell Wins Legal Battle Over Australian Open TV Deal
Harold Mitchell wins his battle with ASIC. Which is top news for the lucky restaurant in which he chose to celebrate.
KitKat Partners With R U OK?
No one enjoys a chocolate finger for morning tea like the B&T office. On other occasions we might even have a KitKat.
Microsoft Lays Out Plan To Acquire TikTok In The US And Australia
The Microsoft exec team are working on their dance moves ahead of this bumper acquisition.
Sunday TV Wrap: Ninja Swings The Night Nine’s Way
As a plus, Ninja Warrior affords B&T the wonderful opportunity of upping our quota of gym-hardened hotties photos.
Mark Read Admits “Huge Amount Of Work To Do” As WPP Reveals Diversity Workforce Numbers
WPP's workforce diversity numbers make for a very sobering read. Unless, you're already pissed, of course.
ABC Comic Unveils Riotous “The Ballad Of Bunnings Karen”
B&T admits it's a difficult time to be a Karen. However, spare a thought for the Adolfs, the Lucifers or the Mike Hunts.
“There’s A Lot Of Uncertainty!” Roxy Reveals How CV-19 & Bauer’s Mag Closures Have Wreaked A PR Apocalypse
In harrowing news for marquee hire, Moët sales & scallops served on spoons, Roxy says the PR biz is in for a pummeling.
oOh! Launches The Junkee Network
Junkee Media and parent company oOh!media have launched a powerful new way to reach young Australians – the Junkee Network. Combining Junkee Media’s content platforms with oOh!’s leading Out of Home assets in venues and universities across the country, the Junkee Network will be the largest and most influential youth content network in the country. […]
Cricket Australia Rejects Super-Sized McDonald’s Sponsorship Deal In Favour Of Incumbent KFC
Cricket Australia spurns Macca's' overtures, insisting it had nothing to do with getting soggy fries at the Drive-Thru.
Aimee Buchanan Says It’s Time To Evolve Historical ‘Maternity Leave’ Into ‘Parental Leave’
When Aimee Buchanan speaks, B&T listens. Our editor doubly so, due to him being slightly deaf in the left ear.
Indie Agency Channel T Wins Ego Pharmaceuticals’ Creative
Ego produce some of Australia's best-loved pharmaceuticals. Particularly if you suffer from a myriad of fungal diseases.
James Murdoch Quits News Corp Board Over Editorial “Disagreements”
Expect awkward silences & a distinct lack of joie de vivre at the Murdoch family Christmas lunch this year on this news.
The Opportunities & Challenges Of Working From Home
B&T lists the advantages of working from home as The Young & The Restless, chardonnay at 11 and noticeable weight gain.
GroupM’s Finecast Allows Advertisers To Measure BVOD Reach For The First Time
Admittedly, GroupM's Finecast can't help with the office footy tipping, however, it can help with your BVOD numbers.
Research Reveals Aussie Small Businesses Upping Digital Marketing Spend
Australian small business owners are turning to skilled local freelancers and upping their digital marketing spend as they move online to connect with customers and keep cash flow positive. The Federal Government’s pandemic response has earned a tick from small business owners as have those of New South Wales and Queensland, but one in three […]
Foxtel Announces Female-Focused Lifetime Movie Network
No one loves a good 'chick flick' like the B&T office. Our favourites being 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'The Terminator'.
“Sex Sells?” Yes, There’s Now An Instagram Page Dedicated To Australia’s Hottest Real Estate Agents
You opened B&T today expecting another 'Karen' story, didn't you? Instead, it's real estate agents in states of undress.
Amobee Launches OOH Offering For Aussie Market
Amobee throws off tech's slightly unhealthy, closeted indoors reputation and heads outside with new OOH offering.
Optus Assistant Chatbot Surpasses 2 Million Conversations
In the last 12 months, Optus’ AI Assistant Chatbot has surpassed two million conversations, with 1 in 6 Optus customers having their queries resolved immediately, providing a seamless experience without needing to speak to a person. Optus Assistant greets every customer that comes through My Optus App Messaging and its Web Messaging service with on average […]
SodaStream Introduces Respiratory Device For COVID-19 Patients
Sure, it might have a little 70s hangover about it, but SodaStream's proving it's very much on-trend with this top idea.
AKQA Recognised On Best Workplace For Innovators List
AKQA recognised on best workplace list and not merely for banning the Orange Cream from the office biscuit barrel.
