Norwegian citizens are being issued convention-defying passports by Neue, featuring bold colours, UV-sensitive pages with hidden images and secret anti-forgery innovations. Erica Jamieson reports
Norwegian citizens can now enjoy a new, modern passport design, courtesy of branding and design agency Neue. The tri-color makeover features a sans serif typeface, along with the national crest in gold on the cover.
Minimalist interior pages depict line drawings of historical landmarks, places of recreation, and natural resources in blue and green. They also reveal hidden elements under UV lighting.
In one scene, a mountain landscape gives way to the Northern Lights when viewed under a UV bulb (a particularly clever idea).
“The design is attractive and stylish, the colours are subtle and the abstraction of the landscapes are exciting. Aesthetically, the landscape motifs have been given a distinctive look. The jury appreciates the simplicity of the solution.”
On October 19, 2020, the first new passports were issued to minister of foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide and minister of justice and public security Monica Mæland.
“I look forward to taking this nice passport with me on my next trip abroad,” said Minister Søreideat the time. Adding: “The most important thing about the new passport series, however, is the security elements, which make it even more difficult to forge Norwegian passports.”
Norway’s currency has also enjoyed a recent makeover. Since 2017, the government has phased in new kroner notes, featuring bold colors and pixelated imagery. The designs were selected via a competition process similar to Neue’s passport bid, and come from studios Snøhetta and the Metric System.
Earlier this year, Britain began issuing new dark blue passports (as a replacement for existing burgundy ones) in preparation for its official leaving of the EU in January 2021.
According to the BBC, blue passports were introduced in 1921 and phased out after 1988 when members of the then European Economic Community agreed to harmonise designs.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the passport will “once again be entwined with our national identity”. Adding: Brexit has given the UK “a unique opportunity to… forge a new path in the world” and enabled a return to “the iconic blue and gold design”.