Switzerland’s Next Banknote Series by Emphase

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has begun developing a new series of banknotes, aiming to ensure that Swiss currency continues to meet the highest standards of functionality, durability and security over the long term. Following a design competition, the SNB selected Concept J, created by Emphase*, a Swiss studio included in the European Design Awards Top 50 European Design Agencies ranking**, as the winning proposal for the country’s next generation of banknotes. The project will now be developed by the Emphase team under the direction of designers Fabienne Kilchör and Sébastien Fasel. The proposal stood out for its clarity of concept and its suitability for the complex process of banknote development. In both the public consultation and the evaluation by an external advisory board, Concept J ranked among the three strongest submissions. When organisational and production considerations were taken into account, it achieved the highest overall score.

A concept structured by altitude

Concept J is built around the theme “Switzerland and its altitudes.” The design approaches the country as a vertical landscape, moving from the lowlands to the highest Alpine regions. Each denomination corresponds to a specific altitude zone, presenting the diversity of Switzerland’s ecosystems and human environments. The series therefore functions not simply as a set of separate images but as a continuous visual cross-section of the country. On the front side of the banknotes, native plants appear at life size. This choice shifts attention toward elements of the natural environment that often go unnoticed in everyday life — plants encountered in cities, along paths or during hikes. The reverse side expands the view, combining landscapes with references to architecture, infrastructure and scientific or cultural achievements. Through these compositions, the concept establishes a dialogue between the natural world and the built environment.

A visually interconnected series

The proposed banknote series includes six denominations — 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 1000 Swiss francs — each associated with a different geographical level.

The sequence moves gradually through Switzerland’s landscapes:

 • Lowlands (10 CHF) focus on urban biodiversity and mobility, referencing elements such as rail transport and major scientific infrastructure.

 • Central Plateau (20 CHF) highlights agricultural cultivation and technological experimentation in the built environment.

 • Jura (50 CHF) reflects forest ecosystems alongside traditional architecture and craftsmanship.

 • Alpine foothills (100 CHF) present flowering meadows, pastoral landscapes and Alpine farming traditions.

 • Alps (200 CHF) combine mountain ecosystems with infrastructure such as railways and dams.

 • High Alps (1000 CHF) depict extreme environments and scientific exploration at high altitude.

Rather than existing independently, the banknotes are designed to interact visually with one another. Plants extend beyond the boundaries of individual denominations, transport systems connect regions, and graphic elements create transitions between the different altitude levels. Together they form a panorama of Switzerland’s landscapes and habitats.

Security features embedded in the narrative

Banknote design requires the integration of complex anti-counterfeiting technologies. In Concept J, these security features are incorporated directly into the visual storytelling.

Examples include:

 • Native insects appearing in the transparent register elements.

 • Prehistoric animals discovered in Switzerland concealed within the watermarks.

 • Geological strata running through the security bands, referencing the deep rock formations beneath the Swiss landscape.

These elements reinforce the underlying concept of the series while simultaneously fulfilling their technical function.

Banknotes as narrative surfaces

Contemporary banknote design increasingly moves away from the traditional depiction of historical figures or monumental architecture. Instead, many new series focus on broader themes that express a country’s identity through systems, landscapes or cultural practices.

Concept J follows this approach. By organising the series around altitude and ecological diversity, the design presents Switzerland as a network of interconnected environments shaped by both nature and human activity.

Through this framework, the banknotes operate not only as financial instruments but also as small narrative surfaces, offering layered insights into the geography, culture and technological achievements of the country.

As development of the new series progresses, the project provides an example of how graphic design, security engineering and national symbolism can be integrated into a coherent visual system — one that reflects Switzerland’s landscapes from the lowlands to the peaks.

* Link: https://emphase.ch/en

** Link: https://awards.europeandesign.org/rankings/agency/15899