Currency Design | African American Leaders in History
This currency design series honors African American leaders in American history, featuring Katherine Johnson, John Lewis, and Martin Luther King Jr. Each bill incorporates key elements of traditional currency, with a modern twist to celebrate their contributions. Textured backgrounds include quotes from each figure, with equations for Katherine Johnson to highlight her work in mathematics. The central design features a prominent quote from each leader in Bayard font, symbolizing the Civil Rights Movement, creating a tribute that is visually compelling and deeply meaningful.
Creative Process – What is your reasoning behind these design choices?
Tribute to Legacy: I wanted to create a visual tribute that highlights the immense contributions of these leaders to American history and the Civil Rights Movement.
Traditional Currency Elements: The design incorporates familiar currency elements to ground the project in a theme of value and recognition while adding modern twists for a fresh take.
Textured Backgrounds and Equations: For Katherine Johnson's design, I added equations to emphasize her role as a mathematician, while the quotes reflect each leader's powerful words and influence.
Bayard Font: I used Bayard font for the prominent quotes to give the bills a timeless, classic feel that reflects the importance of these figures.
Gray Tone Palette: The muted gray tones evoke a sense of solemnity and respect, reinforcing the serious significance of the leaders’ legacies.
