I'MIN
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 Multimedia Design / Social Media Campaign
School / University Name:Emeris - Vega School Pretoria
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Jihee Ko
Professor Name(s):Tlholo Modiba
Project Location:Pretoria, South Africa
Design Status:Concept
Project Description:
I’MIN is a streamlined solution designed to simplify the visa application process, reducing delays and anxiety for immigrants to South Africa. Immigrants play a vital role in the economy, and the stress of visa applications can impact their perception of and commitment to the country. To address this, this solution integrates a website, mobile app, and social media platforms to provide clear guidance, including detailed visa checklists, making essential information easily accessible in one place. Its design features minimalist, diverse illustrations with limited colour palettes, ensuring an inclusive and memorable identity.
I’MIN is a streamlined solution designed to simplify the visa application process, reducing delays and anxiety for immigrants to South Africa. Immigrants play a vital role in the economy, and the stress of visa applications can impact their perception of and commitment to the country. To address this, this solution integrates a website, mobile app, and social media platforms to provide clear guidance, including detailed visa checklists, making essential information easily accessible in one place. Its design features minimalist, diverse illustrations with limited colour palettes, ensuring an inclusive and memorable identity.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The I’MIN project demonstrates innovation through a user-centred system that simplifies the complex visa application process for immigrants to South Africa, reducing delays, confusion, and anxiety. Recognising the vital role immigrants play in the economy, the project addresses how administrative stress can affect their perception of and commitment to the country. I’MIN is a streamlined solution that integrates a website, mobile app, and social media platforms to provide clear, accessible guidance in one ecosystem. Key features include structured visa checklists and centralised information, enabling users to navigate requirements with clarity and confidence. The project shifts users from passive recipients to active participants in managing their application journey. The specification is informed by real user needs, prioritising usability, accessibility, and clarity. Its visual identity - minimalist, diverse illustrations with a limited colour palette - ensures inclusivity and memorability. By combining functional efficiency with thoughtful design, I’MIN offers an innovative and implementable solution to a critical real-world challenge.
The I’MIN project demonstrates innovation through a user-centred system that simplifies the complex visa application process for immigrants to South Africa, reducing delays, confusion, and anxiety. Recognising the vital role immigrants play in the economy, the project addresses how administrative stress can affect their perception of and commitment to the country. I’MIN is a streamlined solution that integrates a website, mobile app, and social media platforms to provide clear, accessible guidance in one ecosystem. Key features include structured visa checklists and centralised information, enabling users to navigate requirements with clarity and confidence. The project shifts users from passive recipients to active participants in managing their application journey. The specification is informed by real user needs, prioritising usability, accessibility, and clarity. Its visual identity - minimalist, diverse illustrations with a limited colour palette - ensures inclusivity and memorability. By combining functional efficiency with thoughtful design, I’MIN offers an innovative and implementable solution to a critical real-world challenge.
Project Sustainability Approach:
The I’MIN project aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting inclusive participation and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement within the digital and creative economy. The project is designed to be scalable and adaptable, enabling its application across educational, professional, and community contexts, where it can support skill development, self-awareness, and personal branding. By encouraging users to actively reflect on their identity and strengths, I’MIN fosters confidence and employability—key components of sustainable economic participation. Its digital-first approach minimises material waste while maximising reach and accessibility, ensuring long-term viability. Furthermore, the project supports ethical and human-centred design practices, emphasising accessibility, inclusivity, and user empowerment. By bridging personal development with practical application, I’MIN contributes to a more resilient and future-oriented workforce, aligning design innovation with sustainable economic growth.
The I’MIN project aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting inclusive participation and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement within the digital and creative economy. The project is designed to be scalable and adaptable, enabling its application across educational, professional, and community contexts, where it can support skill development, self-awareness, and personal branding. By encouraging users to actively reflect on their identity and strengths, I’MIN fosters confidence and employability—key components of sustainable economic participation. Its digital-first approach minimises material waste while maximising reach and accessibility, ensuring long-term viability. Furthermore, the project supports ethical and human-centred design practices, emphasising accessibility, inclusivity, and user empowerment. By bridging personal development with practical application, I’MIN contributes to a more resilient and future-oriented workforce, aligning design innovation with sustainable economic growth.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
The I’MIN project creates local impact by supporting young immigrants in South Africa through a streamlined visa application system that reduces delays, confusion, and anxiety. By providing clear guidance, structured checklists, and accessible information across a website, mobile app, and social media, it improves users’ ability to navigate administrative processes, supporting their integration into education and employment. Regionally, I’MIN strengthens participation in the economy by enabling immigrants to remain engaged and productive. By reducing barriers and improving access to essential information, it fosters a more inclusive environment, encourages cross-cultural integration, and supports sustainable economic contribution across diverse communities.
The I’MIN project creates local impact by supporting young immigrants in South Africa through a streamlined visa application system that reduces delays, confusion, and anxiety. By providing clear guidance, structured checklists, and accessible information across a website, mobile app, and social media, it improves users’ ability to navigate administrative processes, supporting their integration into education and employment. Regionally, I’MIN strengthens participation in the economy by enabling immigrants to remain engaged and productive. By reducing barriers and improving access to essential information, it fosters a more inclusive environment, encourages cross-cultural integration, and supports sustainable economic contribution across diverse communities.
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Jihee Ko
Profile Description:
I am a South Korean–born graphic designer who has lived in South Africa since the age of 11. My creative practice spans graphic design, photography, videography, and social media content creation, rooted in storytelling and cultural awareness. Influenced by South Africa’s rich diversity of cultures and languages, I merge global design sensibilities with African narratives to craft work that is visually striking, meaningful, and deeply connected to people and place.
I am a South Korean–born graphic designer who has lived in South Africa since the age of 11. My creative practice spans graphic design, photography, videography, and social media content creation, rooted in storytelling and cultural awareness. Influenced by South Africa’s rich diversity of cultures and languages, I merge global design sensibilities with African narratives to craft work that is visually striking, meaningful, and deeply connected to people and place.
Previous Awards Won:
My design journey has been recognised with notable achievements, including the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD (2025) and a Pencil Award at IIE Vega. Earlier in my career, I was awarded Second Place in the Design an Ad Competition (Gr. 6–7 Category) hosted by Pretoria News (2015), a milestone that sparked my passion for creative design.
My design journey has been recognised with notable achievements, including the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD (2025) and a Pencil Award at IIE Vega. Earlier in my career, I was awarded Second Place in the Design an Ad Competition (Gr. 6–7 Category) hosted by Pretoria News (2015), a milestone that sparked my passion for creative design.
