Norway has my vote for one of the most beautiful and picturesque countries in the world, now they’ve got my vote for the best looking passport too.
As well as being the land of natural beauty, Norway is also known for its affinity for sleek, minimalist design. So there’s no surprise that a recent competition to redesign the Norwegian passport has yielded a design that perfectly captures this national identity.
A competition launched in February last year to find a new design concept for the nation’s passports and ID cards was won by Oslo design studio Neue.
The new passport features depictions of Norway’s amazing landscapes, simplified into fine lines in pastel shades. The passport’s cover comes in unusually bold colours of either white (immigrant), turquoise (diplomat) or red (standard). The national crest that adorns the front of the passport has also been given an update and stamped in gold.
My favourite part of the passport cannot be seen with the naked eye. When seen under UV light, the landscapes within the pages transform to show the famous northern lights in the night sky, a really nice touch that just gives it that extra layer.
“It represents the vast variety of nature and landscapes you find in Norway … which makes it relevant to all of us whether you have always lived there or just received your citizenship.”
Gørill Kvamme of Neue
The competition jury loved its wide appeal and has said that “It both illustrates the Norwegian identity and makes sure the passport will be viewed as document of high value,” “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.”
Now Neue will work closely with the National Police Directorate to find a way to balance the design with the complicated security expectations of a passport – something they are not currently able to discuss in detail. No date for the passport’s release has been set but it is expected to be within the next two years.
