Project Description:
DreamCatchers WorldWide is a non-profit organization based in Auckland and London, dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities through education and essential services.
The founder recently decided to redesign their website, and I was fortunate to be selected for the project through Volunteers Auckland.
My contribution:
- Designed a clean, accessible, and user-friendly interface using Figma
- Developed the entire front end with React and Next.js, building dynamic and responsive pages
- Styled components with Tailwind CSS to ensure consistency and mobile responsiveness
- Built a custom content management experience using Strapi, allowing the founder to easily update text and images
- Created reusable components for scalability and faster development
- Deployed the backend on Strapi Cloud and the frontend on Vercel
- Used Git and GitHub for version control
- Managed domain settings and connected custom domains to the live site
- Set up automated deployment workflows using webhooks, so publishing in Strapi triggers a live update via Vercel
Key Features:
- Fully responsive design
- Country-based toggle for NZ and UK-specific content
- User-friendly CMS tailored for non-technical admins
- Reusable components for scalability and maintainability
- Webhook integration for automatic content deployment
Technology Stack:
Design:
Frontend Development:
- React & Next.js: Frontend Frameworks
- Tailwind CSS: Ensured modern and consistent styling.
Backend Development:
- Strapi: Headless CMS
- Tailwind CSS: Ensured modern and consistent styling.
Deployment & Hosting:
- Vercel: Frontend Hosting Platform
- Strapi Cloud: Backend Hosting & Deployment
- Webhooks: CI/CD Automation (triggering deployments)
- Version Control: Source Control and Collaboration
Challenges & Learnings
I enjoy solving problems and learning through real-world projects, and this one offered plenty of valuable lessons.
This was my first time working with a CMS, so I learned Strapi step by step through hands-on practice and a helpful YouTube tutorial . Gaining confidence in setting up content types, writing custom queries, and managing permissions was a major achievement for me.
Outcome:
The project was a success—fully designed, developed, and deployed with all key features in place. The founder was thrilled with the clean design, the regional toggle between NZ and UK content, and the ease of updating the site through the CMS.
The website is live now.