Dejan Mraovi? is already a photographer, graphic designer, author and filmmaker, but now the senior is pushing himself in an entirely new way — redesigning the Serbian currency.
For his MFA thesis exhibition project, Graphic Ambassadors of a Country: (Re)design of Serbian Dinars, Mraovi?’s research is focused on money and redesigning the Serbian currency, the dinar. The project is a collaboration with the National Bank of Serbia in Belgrade.
“As a measure of protection for my currency, I designed a completely new, sans-serif font titled Serbiana,” said Mraovi?. “Serbian is the only language in the world that uses both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabet. I included both alphabets for this project. I believe that this unique, brand-new font will contribute to the originality and beauty of my redesigned dinars.”
His exhibition began May 8 and will continue through Friday. It is being held at the Ohio University Art Gallery in the School of Art at Siegfried Hall.
The Serbian governor and treasurer will view the redesigns for possible implementation and , on Thursday, Desko Nikitovi?, consul general of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago, will visit OU to view the exhibit.
“It is my pleasure and prestige to have them here,” said Mraovi?. “I couldn’t believe that I could design this and have such great attention.”
Don Adleta, Mraovi?’s advisor and chair of the graphic design program, helped Mraovi? create the exhibit.
“My God, the visual aesthetics and algorithm he makes creates this synergy that’s quite incredible,” he said, adding, “It’s pretty honorable and fantastic to be a part of this exhibit.”
Norma J. Humphreys, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts, worked with Mraovi? as well.
“He was always very gracious and accommodating here at OU and I wish him and his exhibit well,” she said.
In addition to his thesis project, Mraovi? is also writing a book that combines his research and plans for currency.
More than anything else, Mraovi? believes that this project is a great collaboration between the United States and Serbia. The show will also be offered to the embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, D.C.
Adleta, too, has been invited to visit Nikitovi? in Chicago and meet the Serbian diplomats.
“It was a pleasure for me to work with Adleta, who is the best professor of graphic design and typography that I ever had,” Mraovi? said. “Professors David LaPalombara, Joseph Lamb and Norma J. Humphreys support multiculturalism and openness to the different cultures at OU, and that is why I never felt (like) a foreigner at Ohio University.”
And although Mraovi? is quick to sing the praise of his professors, they feel that all his success comes from himself.
“He’s a pretty unique and stellar human being,” said Adleta. “I think he took full advantage of what he is able to do here at the school.”
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