Omeho Project
Prize(s):
Honorable Mention 2026 Print & Digital / Poster and Flyer
Company Name:Turipamwe Design Trading
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Jean-Claude Tjitamunisa
Design Team / Other designer(s):Tanya Stroh
Client Name:Dr Auri Wustrow, Omeho Project
Photo Credit:Willem Vrey and Opas Onucheyo for Omeho Project
Project Location:Windhoek, Namibia
Design Status:Commercialized
Website: View
Project Description:
The Omeho Project amplifies contemporary African entrepreneurship through a visual and narrative communication system that shifts global perceptions of innovation and startup culture. “Omeho” means “eyes” in Otjiherero — the project invites audiences to see beyond stereotypical representations of Africa and recognise the vibrant, urban, and creative potential embodied by local founders and ecosystem actors. Photography of founders in their working environments forms the core asset. These portraits and editorial images were paired with compelling stories and surfaced through a strategic mix of digital platforms, social media campaigns, and physical exhibition design. The communication design foregrounds visibility, dignity, and context-rich representation, using visual identity, layout, and storytelling to position startup founders as role models and agents of socio-economic transformation across southern Africa and beyond.
The Omeho Project amplifies contemporary African entrepreneurship through a visual and narrative communication system that shifts global perceptions of innovation and startup culture. “Omeho” means “eyes” in Otjiherero — the project invites audiences to see beyond stereotypical representations of Africa and recognise the vibrant, urban, and creative potential embodied by local founders and ecosystem actors. Photography of founders in their working environments forms the core asset. These portraits and editorial images were paired with compelling stories and surfaced through a strategic mix of digital platforms, social media campaigns, and physical exhibition design. The communication design foregrounds visibility, dignity, and context-rich representation, using visual identity, layout, and storytelling to position startup founders as role models and agents of socio-economic transformation across southern Africa and beyond.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The core innovation lies in how the project integrated photography, identity design, and narrative to redefine the visual language of African entrepreneurship. Rather than generic stock imagery or cliché tropes, the design system presented authentic entrepreneurial journeys, balancing portraiture with environmental context to communicate ambition, ingenuity, and real-world impact. The visual identity was intentionally contemporary and bold, centring high-contrast portrait photography and a minimalist, confident typographic system that allowed personal stories to stand on their own. Exhibition materials were designed to support socially distanced public display, reinforcing accessibility and real-world visibility during COVID-19 restrictions. Communication deliverables included campaign graphics for social channels, exhibition panels, event branding, and collateral, all designed to work seamlessly across screens and physical spaces. The approach ensured a consistent voice, adaptable assets, and a visual system that respected both craft and context.
The core innovation lies in how the project integrated photography, identity design, and narrative to redefine the visual language of African entrepreneurship. Rather than generic stock imagery or cliché tropes, the design system presented authentic entrepreneurial journeys, balancing portraiture with environmental context to communicate ambition, ingenuity, and real-world impact. The visual identity was intentionally contemporary and bold, centring high-contrast portrait photography and a minimalist, confident typographic system that allowed personal stories to stand on their own. Exhibition materials were designed to support socially distanced public display, reinforcing accessibility and real-world visibility during COVID-19 restrictions. Communication deliverables included campaign graphics for social channels, exhibition panels, event branding, and collateral, all designed to work seamlessly across screens and physical spaces. The approach ensured a consistent voice, adaptable assets, and a visual system that respected both craft and context.
Project Sustainability Approach:
Sustainability was approached through the longevity of content and the adaptability of design. The project built a digital photo bank of high-quality imagery and narratives that can be reused across media, publications, and future exhibitions, extending the lifespan of design assets beyond a single campaign. Physical exhibition materials were produced on durable, reusable substrates and designed for easy installation in community spaces, cafés, and event venues, reducing waste and enabling ongoing audience engagement. By integrating storytelling with modular design components (digital graphics, print exhibits, social templates), the communication system can scale with future editions in other cities and contexts, supporting continued awareness of entrepreneurial work without creating single-use materials.
Sustainability was approached through the longevity of content and the adaptability of design. The project built a digital photo bank of high-quality imagery and narratives that can be reused across media, publications, and future exhibitions, extending the lifespan of design assets beyond a single campaign. Physical exhibition materials were produced on durable, reusable substrates and designed for easy installation in community spaces, cafés, and event venues, reducing waste and enabling ongoing audience engagement. By integrating storytelling with modular design components (digital graphics, print exhibits, social templates), the communication system can scale with future editions in other cities and contexts, supporting continued awareness of entrepreneurial work without creating single-use materials.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
Locally, the project elevated startup founders as visible role models, celebrating a diversity of innovators while strengthening pride and identity within entrepreneurial communities. Curation and exhibition design created spaces for storytelling, connection, and networking that brought ecosystem actors together. Regionally, the visual communication system challenged reductive international imagery by portraying dynamic, urban entrepreneurship in southern Africa. Through shared visual narratives, the project contributed to a broader understanding of African innovation, supporting cross-border dialogue, ecosystem development, and cultural re-framing in global contexts.
Locally, the project elevated startup founders as visible role models, celebrating a diversity of innovators while strengthening pride and identity within entrepreneurial communities. Curation and exhibition design created spaces for storytelling, connection, and networking that brought ecosystem actors together. Regionally, the visual communication system challenged reductive international imagery by portraying dynamic, urban entrepreneurship in southern Africa. Through shared visual narratives, the project contributed to a broader understanding of African innovation, supporting cross-border dialogue, ecosystem development, and cultural re-framing in global contexts.
Company Name:Turipamwe Design Trading
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Jean-Claude Tjitamunisa
Profile Description:
Turipamwe is a Namibia-based design practice working across communication design, spatial storytelling, and co-creation. Rooted in African contexts, the studio approaches design as a vehicle for understanding, dialogue, and impact. Its work spans cultural, civic, and social sectors, combining research, visual systems, and facilitation to translate complex ideas into clear, human-centred outcomes. Turipamwe is particularly interested in design that is authored from within context and responsive to local realities, while remaining legible and relevant on international platforms.
Turipamwe is a Namibia-based design practice working across communication design, spatial storytelling, and co-creation. Rooted in African contexts, the studio approaches design as a vehicle for understanding, dialogue, and impact. Its work spans cultural, civic, and social sectors, combining research, visual systems, and facilitation to translate complex ideas into clear, human-centred outcomes. Turipamwe is particularly interested in design that is authored from within context and responsive to local realities, while remaining legible and relevant on international platforms.
Environmental Practices:
Environmental responsibility is approached through thoughtful, context-sensitive choices rather than prescriptive frameworks. Where possible, projects prioritise durable materials, modular design, and reuse to extend the life of outputs beyond single-use applications. Indigenous knowledge systems and local ways of making inform decisions around materiality, scale, and production. Sustainability is understood as cultural and environmental continuity — designing work that is adaptable, respectful of resources, and able to exist meaningfully across time, place, and use.
Environmental responsibility is approached through thoughtful, context-sensitive choices rather than prescriptive frameworks. Where possible, projects prioritise durable materials, modular design, and reuse to extend the life of outputs beyond single-use applications. Indigenous knowledge systems and local ways of making inform decisions around materiality, scale, and production. Sustainability is understood as cultural and environmental continuity — designing work that is adaptable, respectful of resources, and able to exist meaningfully across time, place, and use.
Previous Awards Won:
Shortlisted The Eiger Foundation African Photobook of the Year Awards, 2022 Hentie Burger, Namibia Unique Awards Won Close Film Festival 2023, Best Poster Design
Shortlisted The Eiger Foundation African Photobook of the Year Awards, 2022 Hentie Burger, Namibia Unique Awards Won Close Film Festival 2023, Best Poster Design
