NGC Signer Spotlight: Jennie Norris

To commence a new series called "NGC Signer Spotlight," Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) recently conducted an interview with Jennie Norris, the visionary artist who created the new reverse design for the American Gold Eagle. In this interview, Norris shares her approach to coin design, inspirations and the artistic process involved in her masterful depictions of nature on coins.

A Q&A with Jennie Norris

Artist Jennie Norris

What inspired you to pursue coin design, and how did you get your start?

A friend sent me a call to artists from the US Mint. I did some research and felt my style would lend itself to coin design. I was very excited at the prospect of getting to work on such an important canvas. I applied, and in 2019 I was selected by the US Mint as a member of the Artistic Infusion Program. This was my first venture into the world of coin design, and I’ve enjoyed the challenge of designing in an entirely new medium. It is very rewarding.

What tools and techniques do you use to create your coin designs, and how have they evolved over the years?

I spend a lot of time in the research phase of coin designs. I generally work on a number of concepts, keeping in mind size and relevance to the project. I draw designs by hand and digitally scan them. I use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to add type and complete the design. Working within a small round composition poses a very unique set of challenges, so over the years it has pushed me to look for interesting new perspectives and compositions. I believe design is an ever-evolving process and requires lifelong learning and adaptability.

What do you think makes a coin design truly exceptional, and how do you strive to achieve that level of quality in your work?

I believe a truly exceptional coin design is one that tells a story that is easily understood and that delineates an idea cleanly and concisely. Finding the right balance is critical when designing for such a small canvas. Keeping a design clean, uncluttered, with nice areas of negative space and getting as much detail as possible without it becoming overworked is on the top of my list of considerations!

What do you think has contributed to the rise of coins as valuable collectibles, and how has that affected your work as a designer?

Of course, there are economic reasons. Coins and medals, especially silver and gold, can be a great investment. I would like to think that people form a connection with coins based on the art and design. Coins and medals tell a story about a small piece of history, so I definitely give this much more consideration than in previous work.

Nature is a big theme of your work. What is it about nature that you enjoy and how do you capture it in your art?

Nature has always been a huge part of my life. I live in the Sonoran Desert, where I am surrounded by the most amazing natural beauty, which gives me endless enjoyment. I spend as much time as I can outdoors gathering references and inspiration to communicate my love and excitement for nature in hopes of inspiring others. I have a cabinet full of tiny curiosities collected and drawn over the years: leaves, feathers, seed pods, bird nests, insects, along with a good-size collection of animal skulls. I find beauty in the details.

Jennie Norris' winning design and the 2021 Type 2 American Gold Eagle encapsulated with the NGC Jennie Norris Signature Label. Click images to enlarge.

What was the process like for designing the new reverse of the American Eagle Gold coin?

I was thrilled for the opportunity to bring my passion and love of raptors to a coin of such high caliber. I began with a lot of research and conception. During this process, I jotted down notes and ideas and did super quick thumbnail sketches, mainly to remember ideas. Several of my best concepts were then taken to slightly larger sketches. I digitally scanned and laid out the designs with type to ensure everything would fit and look cohesive. Settling on one I liked best, I worked on completing a detailed drawing. Once satisfied, I scanned my drawing, added type, digitally shifted things as necessary, and completed the final design in Adobe Illustrator.

You work mostly in graphite for prints or published work. Was it different or challenging to create artwork that would be translated into a more three-dimensional, etched coin?

My art is very detailed and three-dimensional, so it was fairly easy to translate that to coin design. I did have to simplify a bit and leave out a lot of detail that I would normally include in my work and in turn focus a bit more on form. The bigger challenge was telling an entire story with one picture, then putting it into a tiny round composition… and then adding a bunch of type!

Aside from the eagle, which animal would you like to represent on another US coin someday?

All of them really! I am mostly drawn to birds, and raptors in particular. I would love to work on a series of raptors, birds or perhaps an endangered series that would allow the opportunity to donate to wildlife conservation, which is something I am passionate about.