Recognize: A platform for applicants of Canada’s Express Entry Process

'Recognize' aims to bridge this gap and create a platform fully dedicated to making Canada's Express Entry process more accessible and streamlined for potential immigrants. This project helps applicants know what step they're on within the process, track their progress, and know which documents are needed and how to prepare them, all without the pressure of the 90-day limit to submit their profile.

The research process began through conducting primary and secondary research; getting immigrants' insight into their experiences with the Express Entry system through interviews and studying the step-by-step process from the information provided by the government. Acquiring insight from both areas allowed me to comprehend the scope of the process and begin formulating a way to address the needs of future applicants.

Before beginning the design portion, I established a set of values that will serve as a framework for everything that will be involved with this project, as well as a starting visual design system.

I then proceeded to outline the steps of the Express Entry process and designed this diagram called the “Timeline” which had each step and milestone labeled clearly and concisely. I eventually incorporated this diagram into the final output of this project as a static element. It is used to help users place themselves within the process and track their progress, which was one of the major concerns interviewees conveyed during the interview portion of this project.

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The website will consist of a landing page, account access, a website tutorial/tour, and a single dashboard that has the timeline. All the information, in chronological order, will be accessible through that dashboard. This allows for simplification and easier digestion of the information.

The final outcome of this project was a responsive website and printed collateral.

I had the opportunity to exhibit this project at the End-of-Year show at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Spring of 2016.

I wanted to accompany the website with a visual that encapsulates the diversity of Vancouver and Canada and how immigration is a huge part of the country’s culture and identity. To achieve this, I designed and had a world map laser cut out of wood, and encouraged people to place a dot sticker on the country where they, or their family, immigrated from. This interactivity was well-recieved, with over 200 stickers placed over two weeks.