Red & Yellow Student Wins International Recognition at The One Club Young Ones Awards

Emma received recognition in the Illustration category for her project With Love, placing her amongst the world’s most exciting emerging creative talent. Notably, Emma was the only winner from Africa in the category, joining a global cohort of young creatives from leading creative hubs including New York, London and beyond.

The achievement adds to an already remarkable year for Emma, who was also recognised as the top student at the most recent Loerie Awards — further cementing her place as one of South Africa’s standout young creatives.

Emma's project, titled "With Love", is a beautifully crafted exploration of adoption, brought to life through hand-crafted illustrations and meticulously constructed 3D models. The project stood out internationally for its tactile, authentic storytelling in an increasingly AI-driven creative landscape.

Stephanie Simpson, Emma’s Illustration lecturer for the BA Visual Communication degree and the Loeries’ Top Ranked Lecturer for 2025, praised the work and its international recognition:

“Winning a Merit Award at The One Club Young Ones is a profound moment for With Love. This book is a celebration of adoption and the beauty of being different—a message we are thrilled to share with a global audience. In an era increasingly dominated by slick, AI-generated imagery, Emma’s commitment to hand-crafting every illustration—coupled with her meticulously constructed 3D models—proves that the soul and 'imperfection' of tactile work remain incredibly valuable and resonant.”

She added:

“Seeing With Love honored internationally is a win for authentic storytelling. By hand-crafting each illustration and model, Emma has created something that AI simply cannot replicate: a tactile, heartfelt exploration of adoption. This Merit Award is proof that being different is not just okay—it is world-class.”

Emma’s recognition at The Young Ones Awards continues Red & Yellow’s long-standing tradition of producing globally competitive creative talent — creatives who combine craft, originality and meaningful storytelling to make work that resonates far beyond South Africa’s borders.