Carl, what was the idea behind the design of the new Swiss passport?

With the design, we wanted to redefine what a Swiss document looks like in the 21st century. The design of passports often looks outdated, even though the technologies used to produce these documents are extremely innovative.

Instead, we wanted to create a contemporary design around a visual narrative. It allowed us to incorporate security features that are not only difficult to counterfeit, but also play a role in the narrative. Ultimately, the passport should be a document that holders can trust, identify with and be proud of over the next 15 years ! 

What makes the new Swiss passport typically Swiss?

We studied the Swiss landscape and the essential role water plays in shaping it. Switzerland is often called the water castle of Europe because of the abundance of this precious resource. Symbolically, water represents life and movement, and its fluidity evokes interaction and exchange. Step by step, we conceived this imaginary journey along the watercourses. It follows the flow of water, from the Alpine peaks down into the valleys, through the 26 cantons and out into the world. The passport is an invitation to travel.

Where did you get the inspiration for the design?

At the very start of the project, we did a deep iconographic research and built a digital library, including Alpine engravings from the Renaissance, 18th century landscape paintings, mineralogy and contemporary design. We were also fascinated by Swiss cartography and in particular the work of cartographer Eduard Imhof. Throughout the project, we expanded and refined this image database and went back to it for inspiration.

To better understand the topography of Switzerland, we also worked with the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo, which gave us access to amazingly detailed geodata. The first official map from 1838, the Dufour map, was a pioneering achievement!

What are the hidden features that people might not know about?

Many design features only become visible under UV light. UV printing adds a new layer of information and enhances the story. When you look at the inside pages under UV light, you can see contour lines. They show the topography of the landscapes and the architectural landmarks of each canton, as well as the rich cultural heritage and history of our country.

The passport cover also has UV print. When the passports are placed side by side, they connect to form a continuous pattern. Symbolically, each citizen owns a piece of Swiss identity and all these pieces come together to form one nation.

What do border control officials usually check to make sure a passport is not a fake?

There are many verifiable security features in the new Swiss passport but, generally, the data page is the most checked component. It requires the highest level of security because it contains the citizen’s photograph and personal data. In terms of design, it was one of the most challenging page to design. Our goal was to create a seamless design between the datapage and the first paper page, like a vertical interface.

Are these security measures standard for all passports?

Security features vary from country to country. However, all travel documents must comply with the specifications set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in relation to machine readability. For us, this implies finding creative solutions within tight production constraints.

Which pages and features of the passport are you most proud of?

There are many features that we love because there is a little story behind each design element. For example, the quartz crystal watermark that appears in the white part of the Swiss cross when you hold the pages up to the light. We designed the quartz entirely in 3D. It is a reference to the 1985 passport designed by Fritz Gottschalk and Jenny Leibundgut, which featured a stylised quartz in the centre of all visa pages. In the new passport, we have hidden the crystal in the paper, like the mineral in its natural environment. It was important for us to create a visual link to the previous passports, which many Swiss people still remember.

Do you use your passport regularly and do you like to travel?

Absolutely, I love it. My dad was a frequent flyer for business and only flew SWISS! My brother and I had the opportunity to travel a lot as kids, it was eye-opening.

What words come to mind when you think of SWISS?

I think: efficiency, delicious foil-wrapped chocolates and Swiss typography! The SWISS logo is definitely one of the best airline logos out there.

You grew up in England. What is typically Swiss about you?

I have a great passion for innovation and I am a perfectionist. In my job, I strive to push the boundaries of what is technically possible to create unique products. In many ways, our approach at RETINAA is similar to watchmaking. Interestingly, there are deep historical links between watchmaking and the security printing industry in Switzerland.

Thank you, Carl, for this interesting interview.