On the money
The rupee has joined the pound, the dollar, the yen and the euro by being cast as a symbol.
The winning design, by Udaya Kumar, a lecturer in design at the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, blends the Devanagari, ‘Ra’ and Roman ‘R’.
It was selected ahead of four others shortlisted by the Indian cabinet from 25,000 entries.
Kumar has told the Indian news website rediff.com the design is based on the tricolour flag with two lines at the top and white space in between.
He says, ‘I wanted the symbol for the rupee to represent the Indian flag. It is a perfect blend of Indian and Roman letters – a capital ‘R’ and a Devanagari ‘ra’ which represents rupiya, to appeal to international audiences and Indian audiences.’
If it catches on, think of the design briefs – computer keyboards, bureau de change signage, bargain rupee shop graphics and bling Rupee medallions.
Is the missing ‘R’ intentional from ‘The winning design by Udaya Kuma’ 🙂
Being a designer and of Indian ancestry, this has significance interest to me. However, while I should be excited, I have mixed emotions about both the design and opportunity this represented for design from India to shine on a global stage.
Read more… http://www.munjeet.com/comment/a-new-symbol-represents-the-rupee/