Designer of Dutch banknotes and stamps; Head of the Art and Design branch of the Dutch postal service (PTT).
Robert Oxenaar revolutionised the look of official government publications and documents like passports, postage stamps, and, most notably, banknotes. He has also been a key player in the growth of the Dutch graphic design community.
Biography
Since he started designing Dutch banknotes in 1965, they have been hailed as the most cutting-edge and innovative in the entire world. They bear innovative social devices and moments of breathtaking beauty, like the 50 guilder note with sunflowers glowing yellow on it (raised marks to allow the visually handicapped to identify note values were used here for the first time). The 250-guilder note, which Oxenaar elaborately displayed with rabbits, birds, and other oddities as watermarks and registration devices, is perhaps his most famous example of an intricate anti-counterfeit device. This paper humanises the most impersonal of official documents.
He was appointed head of the PTT’s art and design division in 1976, serving as the organization’s general “aesthetic” adviser and overseeing artwork placement in PTT structures. This required commissioning artwork, furniture sign systems, and promotional materials for the building’s interior and exterior. In this surprisingly wide-ranging role, Oxenaar helped launch a new generation of Dutch designers in the 1970s, including Gert Dumbar. Throughout the 1980s, he continued to support and encourage young studios, designers, and artists.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL
Dormer, Peter. The Illustrated Dictionary of Twentieth Century Designers. 1991.
Design Store
New Releases in Graphic Design
Design Books | Architecture | Collections & Exhibitions | Decorative Arts & Design | Drawing | Fashion | Graphic Design | History & Criticism | Individual Designers | Painting |Performing Arts | Photography & Video
Wear It Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Getting Dressed
Taunton Press Book, Assorted
Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close (-)
Fashion, New Edition: The Definitive Visual Guide (DK Definitive Cultural Histories)
Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style
Kaffe Fassett Quilts by the Sea
Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder: A retrospective collection of artwork featuring iconic Disney characters from the past 100 years (Licensed Learn to Draw)
Ann Lowe: American Couturier
Kaffe Fassett's Pattern Library: Over 190 Creative Knitwear Designs
Jane Austen's Wardrobe
Ralph Lauren A Way of Living: Home, Design, Inspiration
The Art of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Genshin Impact: Official Art Book Vol. 1: Explore the realms of Genshin Impact in this official collection of art. Packed with character designs, character trailer art, and celebratory illustrations.
Kaffe Fassett Quilts Shots and Stripes: 24 New Projects Made with Shot Cottons and Striped Fabrics
Status and Culture: How Our Desire for Social Rank Creates Taste, Identity, Art, Fashion, and Constant Change
Taylor Swift: And the Clothes She Wears
Kaffe Quilts Again: 20 Favorite Quilts in New Colorways from Rowan
Legendary Authors and the Clothes They Wore
Kaffe Fassett's Brilliant Little Patchworks: 20 stitched and patched projects using Kaffe Fassett fabrics
Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in Ireland: 20 designs for patchwork and quilting
La Vie de Clare V.: Paris Chic/L.A. Cool
Drawing Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad
Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore (Smith College Historic Clothing Collection)
Excession
* This website may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon and Sovrn affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.