Together with the Swiss company KBA-NotaSys, the Embassy of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates organised a workshop on banknote design at Zayed University (ZU). A selection of ZU graphic design students had the opportunity to learn about designing security documents like banknotes during a workshop held from June 1-5. In small groups the students continued to work on their own design projects, implementing their newly acquired knowledge innovatively into their designs. As a reward for their work, the young Emirati designers had the possibility to submit their work for a competition, and win a visit to KBA-NotaSys’s headquarters in Switzerland.
Five teams presented their beautiful designs to a mixed jury at the award ceremony held on Wednesday September 10 at Zayed University (Khalifa City Campus). “I am impressed by the students’ creativity. Many of the banknote designs display a great deal of thought and attention to detail, showing originality and conveying a clear message. All teams come off as winners out of this competition,” said Mr. Adrian Bless, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of the Embassy of Switzerland and member of the jury. He added that he was glad that in joining forces with KBA-NotaSys, the Embassy could give an aspiring generation of young Emirati graphic designers the drive to turn their attention towards the art of security design.
The General Manager of KBA-NotaSys, Mr. Eric Boissonnas, commented: “For KBA-NotaSys it was a great honour to work with the Swiss Embassy and Zayed University on this project. The UAE are always seen as a very young culture, but, as the design proposals of the students show, the Emirates have a very long history and some very intriguing traditions. There is no better vector to bring this across than banknotes. It was energising to see the eagerness and dedication that these young students have placed in their work, which reflects the pride they take in their country’s past, present and future. I see a bright future for these young designers.”
Deputy General Manager-Sales of Giffin Graphics Najib Awad, said: ‘’Usually banknotes convey a story of history, the Zayed University students conveyed story of the future. We are very proud to work together with KBA-NotaSys on several high security projects in the area, something that is nowadays needed more.”
The award ceremony was held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development and President of Zayed University. The jury was composed of Mr. Faisal Al Mahmood from the UAE Central Bank, Mr. Salem Al Qassimi, graphic designer and founder of Fikra design studio, Mr. Eric Boissonnas, General Manager of KBA-NotaSys, Mrs. Jodi Magi, artist and professor at Zayed University, and Mr. Adrian Bless, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Switzerland.
The Swiss company KBA-NotaSys is regarded as the main driver of innovation and excellence within the high-security printing industry. Working hand in hand with clients and partners, KBA-NotaSys continuously endeavours to meet new challenges of the market while elevating the art of banknote printing to new levels.
