RAN
DHIHAFAHEH
Concept for a new Banknote Series for the Maldives
PROLOGUE •
03 September 2014 MMA Announces ‘Ran Dhihafaheh’ Competition Invitation to Submit Artwork for a Proposed New Series of Banknotes including a 50th Anniversary of Independence Commemorative Note
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06 November 2014 MMA Reopens the call for Design Submissions
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12 January 2015 Six Submissions are Shortlisted for Presentation
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13 January 2015 The Six Shortlisted Submissions are Presented to the Judges
THE ‘CHALLENGE’ •
How do we redesign an appreciated classic?
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How can we be ‘more’ than the previous series, a series celebrated for its visual aesthetic and recognised as a design uniquely representative of the Maldives?
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We need to go beyond just a visual representation of the country
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We need to convey the socio-economic reality of the Maldives; past and present, while also encapsulating the nation’s drive/goals/aspirations; for the present and the future
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We need to provide positive provocation within the locals as well as the world at large — through evocative highlighting of cultural, historical and scientific, and perhaps even educational, concepts which are of national significance encapsulated in the design
THE INITIAL CONCEPT
THE BIG IDEA Represent the nation through timeless, iconic and contextually unique patterns and textures which are instantly recognisable
 as Maldivian.
The Faces
Our Beginnings
The three higher denomination notes focus on telling the story of our beginnings — a callback to where we’re from.
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Create and convey the story of our nation; where we come from, who we are and what drives us forward.
^
THE STORY
Weaves together to form a fabric of the Maldives and the Maldivian way of life.
We Thrive
The three lower denomination notes focus on our drive and how we use the backdrop of culture, faith and art to navigate towards success. The Back
While remaining the same in all denominations; is an acknowledgement of the basic natural building blocks of the nation.
While a single colour/ texture dominates the majority of the Banknote a contextual image provides clarity, to those immediately not familiar with the the main image, and context, why it is significant to the Maldivian way of life.
10
20 Thrive ^ Beginnings
^
THE FACES
5
50
100
500
THE BACK The Natural Biological, Ecological and Geological Building Blocks of the nation, represented in the form of a Coral Polyp, provides a provokingly powerful Foundation for the notes — with the reverse texture unchanging; the only changes being it taking on the colour while also incorporating the security window structure of its corresponding face.
OUR BEGINNINGS The three higher denomination notes focus on telling the story of our beginnings — a callback to where we’re from.
500 Coral (Brain Coral) Vital in the formation and protection of Islands.
100 Coconut Thatch Vital for building and reinforcing our shelter.
50 Fish (Tuna) Vital form of sustenance.
WE THRIVE The three lower denomination notes focus on our drive and how we use the backdrop of culture, faith and art to navigate towards success; both within our communities as well as globally.
20 Limestone Carving (in Mosques/Buildings) Collective faith and foresight shape worldview.
10 Beach and Shoreline
Utilisation of natural resources to create wealth.
5 Hull Frame (Vessel)
Artistic expression and skill in driving an industry.
THE CONNECTING ELEMENT A ‘spot laminated style’ graphical representation of the Map of the Maldives links all the banknotes together, when placed in sequence.
Front
Back
COMMEMORATIVE NOTE:
WE ASPIRE The Commemorative Note is a marked departure from the rest of the series and is a complete picture of celebration — celebratory elements such as traditional jewellery, particularly ‘gold’ to reflect the 50th Anniversary of Independence, and dress inspires this texture.
Gold Jewellery and Traditional Attire Elements of celebration worthy of a 50th year commemoration.
INCORPORATING
THE MODERN WITH THE
TRADITIONAL The security window and frame, which initially framed the National Emblem, are reflective of the textures, designs and unique features of
 the Maldives. In addition traditional motifs decorate the edges while also functioning as framing devices.
THE VISUAL STYLE While taking things in a different direction we felt it necessary to also pay homage to the previous designs — after all they are consistently featured in ‘best of’ world currency design lists. Thus the incorporation of the sketched/etched look providing a sense of a familiar continuity.
AESTHETICS A single colour dominates each denomination — the user being able to easily identify the denomination of each note with a
 simple glance. The colours assigned to each banknote will be determined by the type of texture used on the face.
INFORMATION HIERARCHY The key information is always accessible and there is no confusion as to what it is.
EXECUTED CONCEPT Presentation Ready Designs
CONCEPT: THE FACE The face of the MVR 500 note with the Brain Coral Texture as initially conceptualised and presented to the Judging Committee.
CONCEPT: THE BACK The back of every note, presented here as the MVR 100 note, as initially conceptualised and presented to the Judging Committee.
MAINTAINING RELEVANCE By creating an Augmented Reality Application for the major mobile platforms we can always keep the Banknotes relevant by adding ‘content’ and updates — simple animations and interactive elements can give the notes a sense of continuous evolution/relevance.
THE FINALISTS 18 January 2015 Three Submissions are chosen Parties to work closely with MMA to further develop concepts
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Best Design Award to be split — Note Series and Commemorative Note to be judged, and awarded, separately
INITIAL DESIGN FEEDBACK MMA gives feedback based on their views and those of the judges
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Concern that polyps aren’t unique to just this ecosystem
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Concern the image is too overbearing when compared to others
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Concern the image is repeated on every note
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Concern that the placement of the image is lacklustre
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Concern the image places a burden of (self) education/learning on the the audience as it is not instantly recognisable/relatable
RECONFIGURING
THE BACK
MMA relays instructions to reconfigure the Back in line with feedback from the Judging Panel.
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Must be attractive to foreigners as well as public — Tourism and the Tourism Industry being a major economic driving force
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Must Incorporate a Security Window in each design
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Must Incorporate Braille in each design
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MVR 1,000 to be introduced
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MVR 5 to be retired
ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK MMA emphasises additional qualities they would ideally like to see represented in the designs.
THE BACK CONCEPT EVOLVES Striving to quickly produce designs; work began on an extended concept for the back featuring newly
 chosen elements. Feedback from the Marine Research Centre, as well as their associate organisations, in fact checking and technical/ scientific input greatly helps us move
 forward swiftly.
THE ‘NEW’ BACK Based on the input for the Banknotes an extension of the ‘Foundations of Maldives’ is proposed. In addition to Polyps other elements, and organisms, which form the basis of our ecosystem is introduced to the Back — focus is given, with the assistance of the Marine Research Centre, to the genesis, balance and mediation in terms of change/ impact as to the ecosystem. It is proposed that this is a unique opportunity to create awareness as to the makeup, and fragility, of our ecosystem.
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Polyp Attaches itself to a rock on the sea floor, then divides, or buds, into thousands of clones and thus form a reef.
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Coccolithophores Of particular interest to global climate change because as ocean acidity increases, their coccoliths play a role as carbon sinks; removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
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Diatoms Estimated to contribute up to 45% of the total oceanic primary production (the synthesis of organic compounds from atmospheric or aqueous carbon dioxide). Almost all life on earth is directly or indirectly reliant on primary production.
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Halimeda Produces calcium carbonate and have been found to be the primary reef-building organism of the tropical seas.
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Foraminifera Are sediment producers. Nearly 50% of the modern deepocean floor is covered by foraminiferal ooze, which is composed primarily of the empty shells (sediments) of protists that live as plankton in the surface waters of the open ocean.
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Larvae (Fish Larvae) Larva (plural larvae) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults.
HOLD THE PRESSES While work is underway to complete the set with the extended concept incorporated into the designs MMA calls for a meeting. We are asked to pursue another concept for the Back. No reasons are required to be given on their part and none are given. We can submit our designs with the extended concept but it is made clear that it will affect the chances of us winning.
Image: Norges Bank
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Unbeknownst to the MMA, and initially to us (the designers) as well, an extremely similar concept was pitched for the new Norwegian Krone; but would be eventually rejected by Norges Bank — we bring this to the attention of MMA during this meeting.
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Coincidence aside we still believe the concept to be strong and appropriate, more so for a low lying sea faring nation dependent upon the safety of our islands for habitation and commerce.
SHOWCASING ENDANGERED UNDERWATER BEAUTY The final solution for the Back was to settle on near extinct species which live in Maldivian waters and to showcase their beauty and underwater diversity.
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Whale Shark A slow-moving filter feeding shark and the largest known fish species currently known to be in existence.
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Giant Clam Are of the largest living shell enclosed invertebrates.
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Triton Shell Also known as Ranellidae; are very large predatory sea snails.
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Marine Turtle Four of the species are Endangered or Critically Endangered while another two are classed Vulnerable.
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Spotted Eagle Ray Is a cartilaginous fish of the eagle ray family, found in tropical regions all over the world.
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Napoleon Wrasse Or Humphead Wrasse, is a species of fish mainly found on coral reefs.
CONCEPTS FOR FINAL JUDGING
‘RAN DHIHAFAHEH’ SERIES Presentation Ready Designs
MVR 10 Focuses on how the skill of boatbuilding has evolved to meet current needs while still retaining artistic/economic value. The Texture: Hull Frame / Vessel Features an intricate rendering of a traditional Maldivian boat hull. Security Window: Limestone Pattern / Kalhu Oh Fummi Framed by a Limestone pattern the image is that of the legendary ‘Kalhu Oh Fummi', the vessel Mohamed Thakurufaan deployed in his defeat of foreign oppressors; bringing freedom to the nation. The Back: Napoleon Wrasse Also known as Humphead Wrasse; a species of fish mainly found on coral reefs.
We Thrive Hull Frame (Vessel)

Artistic expression and skill in driving an industry.
MVR 20 Focuses on how we utilise our natural resources to create wealth.
The Texture: Island Shore / An Island
Features a composition of a beach and a timeless rendering of an island with a dhoni (boat) docked to a side and a smaller boat (bokkuraa) tethered to the shore.
Security Window: Liyelaa Pattern / Halimeda Framed by a commonly recurring motif in traditional lacquer work, the image is that of Halimeda; the primary reef-building organism of the tropical seas. The Back: Spotted Ray A cartilaginous fish of the eagle ray family, found in tropical regions.
We Thrive Beach and Shoreline
Utilisation of natural resources to create wealth.
MVR 50 Focuses on how faith and foresight shape our worldview. The Texture: Limestone Carving / Mosque Features a rendering of a Maldivian Limestone Carving. Security Window: Wood Engraving / Minaret Framed by a Wood Engraving common to roof structures in mosques, the image is that of the Malé Friday Mosque minaret from which it is said that the first prayer call was sounded. The Back: Marine Turtles Four of the species are Endangered or Critically Endangered while another two are classed vulnerable.
We Thrive Limestone Carving (in Mosques/Buildings) Collective faith and foresight shape worldview.
MVR 100 Focuses on our main source of traditional, and modern, sustenance. The Face: Tuna / Fishermen Features a school of tuna. Also depicts fisherman in frenzied action of pole and line fishing; globally recognised as one of the most sustainable means of fishing. Security Window: Decorative Motif / Lesser Noddy Framed by a decorative motif commonly found in traditional boats, the framed image is that of a Lesser Noddy — they fly over schools of fish. The Back: Triton Shell Also known as Ranellidae, are very large predatory sea snails.
Our Beginnings Fish (Tuna) Vital form of sustenance.
MVR 500 Focuses on the formative elements of our living habitat.
The Face: Coconut Weave / Traditional Hut Features an intricate weave of Coconut Leaves which are used heavily in traditional houses. Security Window: Wood Engraving / Coconut Seedling A wooden engraving found on a box used during the reign of Sultan Gazee Hassan Izzudhdheen frames the image of a Coconut Seedling. The Back: Giant Clam
The largest living shell
 enclosed invertebrate.
Our Beginnings Coconut Thatch
 Vital for building and reinforcing our shelter.
MVR 1,000 Focuses on the formative elements of the island nation. The Face: Brain Coral / Coral Reef Features an intricate close-up of a Brain Coral, common to Maldives. Security Window:
 Traditional Seal / Polyp Framed by an outline of a traditional seal, or stamp used by royalty as well as other institutions, the framed image is a Polyp; an organism which attaches itself to a rock on the sea floor, then divides, or buds, into thousands of clones thus initiating the formation of a reef. The Back: Whale Shark A slow-moving filter feeding shark and the largest known fish species currently known to be in existence.
Our Beginnings Coral (Brain Coral)
 Vital in the formation and protection of Islands.
COMMEMORATIVE NOTE Presentation Ready Designs
MVR 5,000
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE COMMEMORATIVE NOTE
The Face: Gold Jewellery / Children Celebrating Features Traditional attire — the gold ‘Fattaru Bai’ (necklace) and the ‘Kasabu’ (intricately hand woven decorative weave which defines the neckline of a ‘Libaas’ or traditional dress) a direct link to the Golden, 50th, Anniversary. Children unabashedly celebrating a national event channels the spirit of independence and along with it the freedom to express oneself without restraint.
Security Window: Ulha / Flag Formation Framed by a gold ‘Ulhaa', or bangle, the familiar formation of three national flags signifies national celebration. The Back: ‘Gidige’ — Celebratory Decorative Arches This harkens back to recent memory when major celebrations meant many ‘Gidige’ in different decorative styles.
We Aspire Gold Jewellery and Traditional Attire Elements of celebration worthy of a 50th year commemoration.
THE SELECTION
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09 March 2015 MMA Announces Final Selection None of the domus designs detailed here are chosen
THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank everyone who contributed their time and effort assisting us in this endeavour — our friends, families, organisations, institutions and even (prior) strangers who were happy to oblige. We’re very grateful for your assistance; thank you!
Special Appreciation for providing Technical and Scientific Input Dr. Mohamed Shiham Adam Ms. Shaahina Ali Mr. Musthaag Hussain Dr. Abdulla Naseer Mr. Mohamed Sheeneen (Sindhi) Mr. Ahmed Wajeeh
Special Appreciation for providing Images and/ or Additional Assistance Ms. Dheena Hussain Ms. Zulaikha Manik Ms. Aminath Manike Shaaz Ms. Mariam Shidha Mr. Ismail Shujau Mr. Ahmed Thasleem Dhivehi Bahuge Academy Ecological Associates Haveeru Media Group Manta Trust Marine Research Centre (Maldives)
Rosy Side, 276, Janbumagu, Maafannu, Malé 20276, Rep. of Maldives. 00 960 7782483, 00 960 7971000, 00 960 7791199 priority@domus.com.mv, www.be.net/domus, www.issuu.com/domus000, www.youtube.com/user/domus000 © Mohamed Rassam, Ibrahim Hussain Shihab, Ali Nishaf Rasheed, 2015 All rights reserved. This document may be freely reviewed, quoted, reproduced or translated, in part or in full, provided the source is acknowledged.