I picked up this little coin in a dealer's 50 cent bin last week. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces2146.html Unlike all other coins, including Slovenia, the main design feature is not large and in the center. Is there a technical term in the field of graphic design for this unusual positioning choice? The coin depicts the long-eared owl, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-eared_owl
Hi @Ed Snible - I do not know the term you are looking for - if there is one - but this same coin and the fact that the device is so small and 'off-centered'* intrigued me last year when I got one in a pack of world coins I ordered. I posted it here on a thread asking to see other 'simply designed' coins and during discussion of the coin, I came across this link which shows that even within the series of related coins, it is strange and different. http://www.joelscoins.com/images/sloveniaset9.jpg Here is my thread from some time ago- even though it is not 'on point' to the numismatic terminology question you raise. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-most-simply-designed-coin-i-own-so-far.297004 * I don't think the term would be 'off-centered' since that seems to imply an error in striking. But perhaps the term 'a device designed not to be centered' or 'not centered device design' might get the idea across?
I have learned that the Slovenian coins were designed by Miljenko Licul and Zvone Kosovelj and featured reliefs of animals by Janez Boljka. The blank space around the design is called "negative space". I found an article for graphic designers on maximizing negative space. I have not been able to find out why the owl coin has a large amount of negative space. It does place the ears in the center; I wonder if that was intentional. https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/8-tips-for-maximizing-your-designs-with-negative-space
Oh yes! For a sense of thrill, balance, space to breathe and emotional satisfaction, negative space, well used, is an important tool in the artist’s “toolbox.” I wanted to suggest that the center of the owl coin seems to be in the middle of the top of the owl’s skull. That feels fine to me, especially once I have turned the coin so that the denomination is properly positioned. Then the number 20 balances the coin legend and device.