Shelter the Future Generation - Portfolio

shelter home for children

Shelter the Future Generation

Empowering children towards a brighter future with Shelter

Background

overview

Shelter collaborated with XIMNET to transform their branding and website, making it clean, welcoming, and impactful. The refreshed design embraces the gravity of Shelter’s mission but is crafted to inspire hope rather than overwhelm.

Unique illustrations and thoughtful graphics create a friendly and positive atmosphere that resonates with supporters, ensuring Shelter’s story is both memorable and encouraging.

XIMNET also streamlined operations by digitising previously manual tasks, enhancing efficiency for both the Shelter team and its donors. The new, optimised donation system makes it simpler for supporters to connect and contribute. The result is a seamless, user-friendly experience that strengthens the bond between Shelter and its community.

the client

Shelter Home is a welfare organisation aiding abused, abandoned, neglected or at-risk children.

Established in 1981 by a group of 7 friends, Shelter Home provides a safe haven and holistic support for vulnerable children, addressing their emotional and psychological needs to empower them towards a brighter future.

challenges

One of our primary challenges with Shelter's website project was to establish a distinct and impactful online presence that would resonate with visitors immediately. We aimed to differentiate Shelter by using visually engaging illustrations and design elements that feel both welcoming and memorable, capturing the heart of Shelter’s mission.

Balancing the mood and tone of the website was another essential aspect. Shelter addresses serious issues like child maltreatment and welfare, so it was crucial to convey the gravity of its work while ensuring the site remained inviting and hopeful. This involved carefully crafting the right visual and content approach to convey empathy and strength.

our approach

Our approach centred on using visuals and language that conveyed both empathy and resilience, striking a meaningful balance between warmth and gravity. This required close attention to colour schemes, imagery, and word choices that evoke warmth and support rather than an overwhelming sense of heaviness.

Each element was designed to make visitors feel hopeful and motivated to support the cause without feeling burdened. We wanted Shelter to have a thoughtfully crafted website that aligns with their mission, ensuring users feel connected to the purpose while navigating an accessible, positive online space.

To enhance the user experience, we worked on simplifying the donation process. By refining the interface, removing unnecessary steps, and ensuring secure payment options, we aimed to provide a smooth and trustworthy experience. Given that child welfare and protection issues don’t always receive the same level of awareness as other causes, Shelter's website needed to bridge the gap by clearly conveying their mission and engaging both those familiar with the issue and newcomers.

The design centred on striking a meaningful balance between warmth and gravity.

The Work

Research

Workshops were conducted to identify the core elements of Shelter’s mission. During these sessions, we reviewed and refined key messaging to ensure it aligns with the fresh visual design of the website and resonates clearly with visitors. This effort aimed to maintain consistency across the site, allowing users to connect with Shelter’s message without any confusion.

Additionally, we conducted a market analysis to examine how other organisations structure their content and engage their audiences. This research provided insights into the strengths and limitations of various strategies, helping us adopt the most effective approaches for Shelter’s website refresh. The goal was to create a site that not only informs but also encourages users to get involved in Shelter’s initiatives.

pitch deck

XIMNET helped Shelter develop an impactful pitch deck designed to attract partnerships in support of Shelter’s mission. The deck effectively emphasises Shelter’s mission and values, using real stories, data, and clean visuals to engage corporate and philanthropic partners. It opens with a compelling overview, highlighting the urgent need for support through impactful statistics and beneficiary testimonials, fostering an emotional connection.

Each section is structured for smooth readability, detailing Shelter’s core programs, achievements, and partnership opportunities. Data-driven insights and clear, concise language underscore Shelter’s expertise, making the presentation both informative and inspiring. This approach is designed to motivate partners, showing how their collaboration can enhance Shelter’s impact.

Figure 1: A slide in the pitch deck outlining Shelter’s mission.

Shelter’s branding carries love, security and upward progress in children’s lives.

brand Concept

Shelter’s branding carries love, security and upward progress in children’s lives. To ensure the website achieves this, we chose soft colors and approachable, welcoming illustrations that foster a sense of comfort and optimism. This design strategy allows the website to convey hope while honoring the gravity of Shelter's mission, creating a warm yet respectful atmosphere for visitors.

By introducing gentle visuals and thoughtful design, we help ease the weight of the topic, inviting users to engage with Shelter's message in a way that feels inspiring.

logo design

We went through an extensive process of designing multiple logo concepts for Shelter Home for Children. Our goal was to preserve the familiarity of the original logo while refreshing its design to align with modern trends. After testing various ideas, we decided on a simple, memorable design that incorporates a house shape to clearly reflect Shelter’s mission of providing a safe haven for children. We chose a sturdy, yet friendly font to evoke stability and warmth.

The final design is both contemporary and respectful of Shelter's long history, offering a memorable, approachable identity that resonates with its commitment to providing a safe haven for vulnerable children.

Figure 2: Logo design ideas for Shelter Home For Children.

Design Concept

Shelter’s website is designed around the concept of a “sanctuary”, using soft greys and light blues to create a peaceful, grounding atmosphere that reflects safety and stability. The colours evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, offering visitors a calming, secure space. To reinforce this nurturing environment, the site incorporates gentle design elements like open arms, hearts, and home-like symbols, which convey the organisation's core values of care and support. This thoughtful approach makes the site a welcoming refuge, resonating with the organisation’s goal of providing comfort and a safe haven for those in need.

Figure 3: Icon design for Shelter's website.

Shelter’s website uses storybook-inspired illustrations, reminiscent of classic children’s fairytales, bringing a nostalgic charm and sense of warmth. With hand-drawn lines and light textures, the visuals create a raw, inviting feel that softens the presentation of serious topics, making the message more approachable and emotionally resonant.

Figure 4: Illustration sample for Shelter's website.

online tools

The online donation process for Shelter has been fully digitised to enhance both the user and admin experience. Previously, payment status updates were handled manually, which often led to errors and required time-consuming cross-checking between systems. Now, Shelter has streamlined the process by introducing digital donation forms and e-payment options. This system eliminates the need for manual data entry and ensures smoother transactions. Automatic synchronization with payment providers ensures that payment statuses are accurately tracked in real-time, improving efficiency and reliability, and providing a seamless experience for donors and Shelter’s team alike.

Logo Design

A design that reflects Shelter’s mission of providing a safe haven for children.

Authentic artwork

Sketch-like illustrations centred around children that evoke a sense of hope and comfort.

Digitisation

Simplified form filling and donation process to improve efficiency and user experience.

The Results

Upon first glance, the website immediately evokes a sense of comfort and hope, with its inviting imagery and soothing colour palette. By transforming Shelter’s website from a basic, informational site into a visually engaging, heartwarming platform, we significantly improved user interaction, making it easier for both visitors and admins to manage and engage with the content in a more efficient, user-friendly manner.

project achivements

3.7k

users since its launch in 5 months

1.5

minutes per session on average

of page views landing on Donate page

40%

and below in bounce rate

Notably, the updated site has made it much easier for supporters to connect and contribute, allowing donors to quickly and independently make donations or express interest in other ways of supporting, streamlining their engagement with the cause.

see the work

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