US National Design Policy Initiative

US Currency Redesign: Kyle Thompson

Allison Arieff/NYTimes:

What does frustrate me about the whole notion of a U.S. Design Policy is that the country needs one at all. It feels weird to have to defend design’s importance, yet also completely necessary. The United Kingdom has had a policy in place since 1949; Japan since 1956. In countries like Finland, Sweden, South Korea and the Netherlands, design is a no-brainer, reflected by the impeccable elegance, usability and readability of everything in those countries from currency to airport signage. These places support strong design policies and a deep-seated understanding and engagement of the value of design by their governments.