Background: gold does not have to shine
We, the TESET Studio company, participated in a competition to create a typeface for the ruble. Our option was not chosen, but the idea remained, and the work was done! In addition, we then went a little further than the main competitive task, suggesting exactly the direction of movement — to create a solid, internationally respected currency in Russia.
In all information concerning the typeface of the ruble, either the ruble itself (and, accordingly, the ruble, R) or the Russian ruble (PP, etc.) is always mentioned. It always seemed to us that this was not enough, as if something was missing.
And we came up with another abbreviation, much deeper, consisting of three words: «the golden Russian ruble», or in short — the Russian ruble.
The number 3 is very symbolic both in general for Russia (tricolor and other attributes of power) and, in particular, for Orthodoxy (for example, the Holy Trinity). Therefore, we have made the sign itself out of three components, which are always visible where more clearly, where less: this is Z or Z, R, R. We came up with the name and reflected it in the graph, because the abbreviated definition of the «golden Russian ruble» — ZRR — can become a recognizable abbreviation and be used everywhere.
Our idea was also connected with the fact that Russia has experienced many shocks related to money (or rather, even the lack of it): replacements, exchanges, promotions and demotions… There was a time when money was not measured in kilograms — everyone went with large bags and boxes; and then there were no plastic cards at all.
Therefore, we are for gold, which, even if it does not shine, is it!
So don’t judge us harshly.
This material was prepared by
S. P. Terentyev,
2000-2001
