Back in 2014, the Oslo design company Neue won the competition to redesign the Norwegian passports in a stylish and modern way. Now, after six years of development, the final version of the passport has finally been launched. The design studio created a visual story where every page represents a unique feature of Norway. The redesign of the passports aimed to increase the security of the Norwegian IDs, while simultaneously creating a solid foundation with the Norwegian people.
The new passport is minimalist on the outside, featuring a red cover embossed with a Norwegian crest and a clean line pattern. The company has also created a blue version for diplomats and a gray one for immigrants. Inside, the passports’ pages feature a modern graphic showing icy peaks overlooking a body of water. But there is more: The illustrations of the Norwegian landscape change from day to night. Under UV lights, the pages display a Northern Lights night scene.
By using illustrations of single parts of a wide Norwegian panorama, Neue wanted to show the contrasts in landscapes and climates that have shaped Norwegians, offered opportunities and resources, places for recreation and the scenes of important historical events.
The design had to create a sense of belonging and connection across age, gender and regions in Norway.
Benjamin Stenmarck, Neue’s senior designer
For this reason, the company looked back at Norway’s historical foundation and investigated what creates a sense of belonging within the Norwegian culture. “This something we found in nature. It is, and has always been, part of our history. The landscapes surrounding us give a sense of belonging and pride, and fill a symbolic function for the entire nation. Images of scenery and landscape can easily become clichés, but by being widely accepted and deeply rooted in Norwegian culture, they are also very easy to identify with,” added Stenmarck.
