To state my point, surely background is needed: As a trained Typographer and designer, a Type-designer and after teaching design and typography at various institutions around the world, stemming from a ‘dutch-design’ background that concurred the globe in the eighties in the last century… I must admit, that in terms of design the EU-Commission, who’s ECU-Notes design competition I’ve won in the past, has not yet ever come up with any progressive, supportive or eloquent design for the EU currency. It never represented the dream of a united Europe nor ever underlined the innovative power of the EU community or its citizens.
Sadly, it all fell back to conservative — unattractive imagery of bridges, powerless colours, unspectacular typography or design, let alone a statement to embrace. Unfortunately, same does apply to the uninspired coins, minted with slabbish’ figures, undecided type-faces, less than inspiring motives and unidentifiable gibberish’ to suggest any unified pattern existing.
Ignoring the brilliance of prior existing mints and paper monies, their design and traditions.
In terms of design and minting, only the Swiss, and only they, are laughing out loud when they see the utterly shameful output in minting and paper monies by the European Central Bank.
Hundreds of the most eloquent designers from the past and designers from the present roll their eyes in despair at the ignorance of the decision makers and the lack of culture they share to and in our pockets.
Where is the ‘courage’ — to bring this to a level of integration, of inspiration, of ‘esprit’ that that will entice the citizens?

Sadly, the current output — without blaming the designer — it doesn’t fulfil any of the criteria that should be in place.

Design-wise we almost all long back to our nations mints and paper monies, as they united, respected and leveraged strongly felt unifying symbolisms that carried us.

Hopefully we’ll find the spirit and means, to do this for Europe too.