Emphase Ltd wins competition to design Switzerland's next banknote series
The Swiss National Bank has selected Emphase Ltd to design its tenth banknote series, themed 'Switzerland and its altitudes'. The SNB will exhibit all 12 design concepts from the competition in Zurich.
Emphase Ltd's winning concept
Emphase Ltd, led by Fabienne Kilchör and Sébastien Fasel, won the competition to design the SNB's tenth banknote series.
Their submission, Concept J, was the only design to rank in the top three in both the public survey and the external advisory board's evaluation.
The concept convincingly conveys the theme 'Switzerland and its altitudes', depicting the six altitudinal zones from lowlands to High Alps.
It shows people interacting with nature, featuring native plants on the front and typical landscapes, buildings, and modes of transport on the back.
Graphically, Concept J impresses with its distinctive imagery, balanced interplay of components, and high design density.
Technically, it is well-suited for the banknote development process, ensuring precision and intricate detail.
The design elements are closely coordinated, articulating Switzerland's diversity and quality.
Public and experts weigh in
The SNB launched its design competition 18 months ago, selecting 12 concepts from over 300 applications.
A public survey, conducted from August 13 to September 7, 2025, saw over 100,000 participants, with preferences for Concepts K, B, and J. Concurrently, an external advisory board, comprising experts in culture, graphic design, and printing, independently evaluated the designs, favoring Concepts H, J, and L. Both public and expert opinions were given equal consideration in the final decision.
Emphase Ltd's Concept J uniquely placed in the top three of both evaluations.
Maxitype Sàrl and Norr Design AG secured second and third places, sharing CHF 60,000 in prize money.
A long road to new cash
While the design competition is a significant step, the SNB explicitly states the final banknotes may differ significantly from Concept J. The early 2030s issuance timeline also highlights the lengthy and complex development process still ahead.
This announcement therefore serves more as an update on an ongoing project rather than a definitive reveal of future currency.