Social Innovation Design
Nik Valenta
Verigar

Project
This three-dimensional tactile reinterpretation of a postage stamp and postal horn bridges Slovenian postal heritage, modern digital technologies, and the principles of inclusive design. The project stems from a desire to make cultural and historical content more accessible to individuals with visual impairments, allowing them to experience heritage not only visually, but through the sense of touch.
At its core, the project is a reinterpretation of the historic “Verigar” postage stamp by Ivan Vavpotič, redesigned into a contemporary three-dimensional form that can be read by touch. Simplified elements, clear reliefs, and emphasized surfaces allow users to explore the motif through tactile perception. Alongside a standard-sized version, enlarged variants were created for a more detailed recognition of symbols, accompanied by a 3D model of the postal horn, one of Slovenia's most recognizable postal symbols.
Combining digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Blender with 3D printing technology, the digital models were translated into tangible physical objects. The work represents an intersection of art, technology, and social responsibility, offering a new approach to reinterpreting museum artifacts through a multi-sensory experience.
Year
2026
Mentors and collaborators
Boris Beja, Full Professor (mentor)
Institution
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
Author
Nik Valenta completed his Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering in Ljubljana, where he is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Graphic and Interactive Communications. During his studies, he actively participated in numerous real-client projects, gaining hands-on experience and developing a holistic approach to visual communications.
Among his most notable works is the exhibited project “HUD – Kje je telo?”, which explores themes of body and identity through a 3D graphic concept screen-printed as a physical puzzle. Other key projects include a 3D reinterpretation of the historic “Verigar” postage stamp, adapted for blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as the development of a complete visual identity and brand guidelines for the company Aurora.
Beyond his academic work, he has collaborated with Medis on brands such as Defendyl, Waya, and Novalac, contributing to summer campaigns and creating content for digital channels and social media.




