La Pouponnière de Dakar
Senegalese nonprofit web redesign
Moodboard
We began by creating a mood board to explore and define the visual identity. We also decided that the overarching theme would focus on girls and empowerment, reflecting the mission of Le Foyer Maria Goretti, which supports girls. I developed three distinct design directions. We chose the first direction, which aligns with the organisation’s mission and resonates with the existing branding of Le Foyer.
Logo
The logo features the iconic baobab tree. This tree is deeply rooted in Senegalese culture, celebrated for its resilience, regenerative ability, and spiritual significance. Often called the “Tree of Life,” the baobab is a succulent that stores water in its trunk, thriving even in arid conditions. It also provides medicinal benefits and serves as a symbol of strength and renewal—qualities that align perfectly with the mission of La Pouponnière.
Colour
Inspired by the vibrant colours of West Africa, we developed a primary palette centred around green, symbolising prosperity and the lush landscapes of Senegal. To reflect the bold and cheerful theme, we embraced a colourful approach, incorporating hues that align with the existing logo of Le Foyer Maria Goretti, which features blue, pink, and beige. Accessibility was a key consideration in our design. All text on coloured backgrounds was tested to meet WCAG 2.0 contrast guidelines, ensuring the website is inclusive and easy to read for all users.
Typography
PP Neue Machina stands out with its unique and playful appearance, which might feel unconventional for an NGO website. However, this bold choice aligns with our goal of creating a fresh, modern look that appeals to a younger audience and inspires future generations to engage with the organisation.
Inter, a versatile and highly readable typeface, complements the headers by providing clarity and accessibility for the body text.
Wireframes
To enhance the user experience, I incorporated subtle micro-animations on the landing page, giving it a modern and dynamic feel. These animations help draw attention to key elements while maintaining a clean design.
In contrast, the volunteer page is designed to be static, as it serves as an info. This ensures users can focus on the content without unnecessary distractions, emphasising clarity and accessibility.
Donation process
The current donation system relies solely on bank transfers, which can be limiting for users.
To address this, I designed an intuitive and streamlined donation process to make contributing more accessible and user-friendly. This new flow not only simplifies the experience but also builds trust and encourages more people to contribute.
Takeaways
Working on this project was a rewarding experience, especially collaborating with a team of Senegalese young people from diverse cultural and backgrounds. Despite the language barrier—being the only team member who didn’t speak French—I found Senegalese people to be incredibly kind, friendly, and honest, which made the collaboration enjoyable and productive.
The visual direction of the project progressed smoothly, as we had a clear vision from the outset. However, the website structure still requires refinement to achieve its full potential. A notable improvement emerged during the process: the volunteer application journey was streamlined, which will greatly benefit the organisation moving forward.
One challenge was the lack of time for user testing due to my limited stay in Senegal. Additionally, the project is still seeking a developer to bring the designs to life and fully realise the website’s potential.
This project was not only a professional milestone but also a meaningful contribution to an organisation with a powerful mission.
Role: UI visual designer
Tool: Figma/ Adobe Illustrator /Adobe After Effect
June 2025