Budapest-based design student Barbara Bernát came up with a rather clever project for her master’s thesis at the University of West Hungary: a flora and fauna-inspired concept for the Hungarian euro (which does not currently exist). As Bernát’s fictional bills increase in value, so does their size—along with the size of the wildlife represented. (You’ll get a lizard for five Euros and a deer for 100. Flip them both over and you’ll go from grass to oak, respectively.)
When embarking on her project, Bernát decided to imitate an old technique for printing banknotes that’s still in process today, a method called intaglio printing. Though the aesthetic here is more stripped down than most actual currency—and thus seemingly easier to counterfeit—the concept’s security feature is the best part, revealing the skeleton of each animal under UV light.
Click through the gallery to get a closer look at one of the coolest thesis projects in recent memory.
(h/t This is Colossal)
Images used with the permission of Barbara Bernát. Photography by Richárd Kelemen.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.