Plavio Uganda
UX/UI – Website Design – Interaction Design – Editorial Design – Creative direction
About Plavio Uganda
Plavio Uganda is a non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting underprivileged communities in Uganda through education, healthcare, and sustainable development initiatives.
Project Goal
The organization needed a website that would:
Clearly communicate its mission and projects.
Increase engagement with donors and volunteers.
Provide an intuitive, user-friendly experience.
The core challenges were
- Outdated Design (if applicable): The previous site felt dated, potentially hindering credibility and user engagement.
- Poor Information Architecture: Key information (news, resources, how to get involved) was difficult for residents to find quickly.
- Lack of Clear Calls-to-Action: The site didn’t effectively guide users towards desired actions like signing up for newsletters, volunteering, or donating.
- Difficult Content Management: Updating the site with timely news and information was cumbersome for the organization’s volunteers/staff.
- Mobile Responsiveness Issues: The site wasn’t fully optimized for viewing on various devices, alienating a significant portion of users.
- Weak Brand Representation: The online presence didn’t strongly convey the organization’s professionalism, mission, and importance within the community.
User Research & Personas
To ensure a user-centered design, I developed three detailed personas based on research and the organization’s target audience.
1. Sarah Thompson – The Engaged Donor
Needs: Clear donation process, impact reports, engagement opportunities.
Pain Points: Lack of transparency, unclear fund allocation, limited follow-up.
Design Considerations:
✅ Simple donation process with multiple payment options
✅ Impact reports with data visualizations
✅ Personalized donor updates & recognition features
2. James Patel – The Impact-Seeking Volunteer
Needs: Easy access to volunteering opportunities, flexibility, and community engagement.
Pain Points: Unclear roles, lack of communication, limited schedule flexibility.
Design Considerations:
✅ Interactive volunteer sign-up with skill-based matching
✅ Clear role descriptions and expectations
✅ Community forum for engagement and updates
3. Dr. Emily Carter – The Research-Oriented Partner
Needs: Access to research data, credibility signals, collaboration opportunities.
Pain Points: Non-transparent nonprofit data, difficulty in verifying impact.
Design Considerations:
✅ Research section with downloadable reports and case studies
✅ Data dashboards showcasing nonprofit impact
✅ Dedicated partnership page for academic collaborations
UX/UI Designer & Developer
For PlanForTheVillages.org, I owned the entire design process, from initial concept to final implementation, with the goal of creating an impactful online presence for this community welfare NGO.
Design Process & Responsibilities
Discovery & Strategy: Collaborated with stakeholders to understand the NGO’s mission, target audience (community residents), and define key objectives for user engagement and organizational recognition.
Information Architecture & Wireframing: Structured website content logically and created wireframes in Figma to establish layout and user flow, focusing on clarity and ease of use.
UI & Visual Design: Designed the complete user interface in Figma, developing a visual language that conveyed professionalism, trustworthiness, and accessibility. Created interactive prototypes for feedback and validation.
Development & Implementation: Translated the validated Figma designs into a live, responsive website using WordPress and Elementor, ensuring the final product accurately reflected the design intent and met functional requirements.
Testing & Launch: Performed testing across browsers and devices to ensure a seamless user experience.
- Figma – UI/UX design
- WordPress / Elementor Website development
- Photoshop/Illustrator – Image and graphic optimization
The launch of the Plavio Uganda website significantly enhanced the NGO’s digital presence, providing a professional, user-friendly, and engaging platform for visitors, donors, and volunteers. By implementing a clean and structured design, the website now effectively communicates the organization’s mission while guiding users toward meaningful actions such as learning more, donating, or getting involved. The intuitive navigation, clear calls to action, and responsive layout ensure seamless accessibility across all devices, particularly for users in remote areas. Additionally, the site is built with a scalable content management system, allowing the NGO to update and expand its content as needed without technical barriers.
Designing for an NGO required a deep understanding of how to balance aesthetics with functionality while maintaining a strong focus on accessibility and engagement. A mobile-first approach was essential, given that many users rely on smartphones to browse online. The user experience was designed to be simple and effective, ensuring that information is easy to find and interactions are intuitive. By integrating SEO best practices and optimizing performance, the website is now more discoverable, helping Plavio Uganda reach a wider audience and increase its impact.
This project reinforced the importance of empathy-driven design in creating digital experiences that not only look visually appealing but also serve a greater purpose. Prioritizing clarity, user-friendly navigation, and compelling storytelling played a crucial role in enhancing engagement. Collaboration with the NGO’s team was key to ensuring the website truly reflected their mission and goals. Additionally, designing a sustainable, easy-to-manage platform ensured long-term usability without requiring constant developer intervention.
Moving forward, the focus will be on tracking user engagement, refining SEO strategies, and enhancing storytelling through multimedia elements such as video and success stories. The website is designed to grow with the organization, providing a solid foundation for Plavio Uganda to expand its reach and further its mission. This project was a valuable experience in designing for social impact, demonstrating how thoughtful UX/UI design can create meaningful change.
Designing the Plavio Uganda website was more than just a creative challenge—it was an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause. Crafting a platform that amplifies the voices of those working toward social change reinforced the power of human-centered design in making a real impact. This project was a reminder that design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating experiences that inspire action, foster connections, and drive positive change.
As a designer, I strive to create digital solutions that not only look great but also serve a purpose—whether it’s empowering a nonprofit, engaging a community, or bringing a vision to life. Seeing the website come to life and knowing it will help Plavio Uganda expand its reach and impact is incredibly rewarding. This project reaffirmed my belief that great design has the potential to shape a better world, and I look forward to taking on more projects that blend creativity with purpose.