Date
Ongoing/Present
Client
Protégés NGO (UNILAG)
Role Played
Lead Designer
Project Type
Volunteer
Timeline
July 2023
-
Ongoing/Present
Project Category
Brand identity
Event Design
Print Design
Social Media Design
Intro
Protégés was born from a conversation among counseling students at the University of Lagos. As the organization’s lead designer, I developed the NGO's visual identity from the ground up – the logo, color system, campaign templates, and event assets that powered its advocacy, outreach, and flagship events while studying full‑time. Over two years, I produced 30+ assets for the Mental Health Revolution Seminar (MHRS) 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, including main flyers, guest speaker graphics, countdowns, merchandise, volunteer certificates, pitch deck, and a video recap. The result: a 40% boost in Instagram engagement, 4,000+ young Nigerians reached, multi-million naira in funding secured, and a sustainable annual event that continues to grow.
Project Overview
Protégés is a student-led mental health NGO at the University of Lagos, founded by Guidance and Counseling students, dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and breaking stigma around mental health among students and young Nigerians. Through seminars, outreach programs, and digital campaigns, the organization promotes mental well-being and connects individuals to support systems. My role was to translate their mission into powerful, accessible visual communication. Starting as the sole designer and growing into the lead role, I handled all visual branding and campaign assets for 2+ years – from the organization's launch up to the third edition of MHRS.
Challenge
Protégés needed cohesive, emotionally resonant visuals that educate, inspire action, and create safe spaces for dialogue across events, schools, and social media. The organization launched with three significant constraints.
First, no established visual identity – no logo, no color palette, no templates, or audience recognition.
Second, no budget – every asset had to be created with free tools (Canva, PixelLab on a phone) or my own laptop.
Third, a skeptical audience – university students and faculty who had seen countless "awareness campaigns" that went nowhere.
The first MHRS event needed to feel urgent, hopeful, and credible enough to attract speakers, vendors, and 200+ attendees – all within a 6‑week window. I had to build not just designs, but trust in a brand that didn't exist yet.
Design and Execution – Key Insight
The key insight was that mental health communication must balance two opposing forces: urgency (the issue required immediate attention) and hope (help is available and recovery is possible).
Most mental health campaigns lean too heavily on one – either they're alarmist (triggering avoidance) or overly cheerful (feeling dismissive). To achieve this without leaning too heavily on either side, I focused on creating visuals that were emotionally sensitive, clear, empathetic, and culturally relevant. I used approachable typography, calming color palettes, and relatable messaging, drawing directly on my training in Guidance and Counseling, where understanding emotional response and audience behavior is foundational. Authentic human emotion became the visual anchor instead of generic stock imagery. Each design was crafted to reduce intimidation, encourage openness and communication, and create a sense of safety for viewers.
From event flyers to educational content, the goal was not just to inform, but to invite participation and conversation.
Event Experience 2.0
Production Reality – Mobile-First and Two Years of Content
For the first two years with Protégés, all design work was executed entirely on a mobile phone When I later transitioned to a laptop and Photoshop, I intentionally retained the existing visual direction rather than rebuilding the system from scratch. MHRS 1.0 flyers, guest speakers, countdowns, team pages, vendor announcements, and even the logo's vector tracing were all completed on a phone.
Between MHRS editions, I designed a continuous stream of social media assets covering Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid, self-care education, burnout awareness, anxiety education, and event campaigns. Every asset was optimized for mobile readability using high-contrast typography, clear hierarchy, and direct calls to action.
Real-World Impact and Outreach
The work extended beyond digital platforms and the campus into secondary schools. Protégés organized mental health outreach programs in schools, including sessions at institutions like Canon James Pearse Anglican College, a local secondary school. I designed the full outreach kit: a large banner and a branded photo backdrop for event documentation. The session reached over 200 students, using professional-led sessions, interactive games, and peer activities to make mental health topics engaging and approachable.
Outcome
The visual systems and campaigns contributed to the growth of a strong, engaged mental health community, helping Protégés reach thousands of young Nigerians through both digital and physical initiatives. Beyond the audience growth, the real impact is visible in how conversations shifted — from avoidance to openness, from stigma to visibility.
What endured:
7 communities served – UNILAG students, faculty, local youth, secondary schools, and partner organizations.
The MHRS seminar is now an annual fixture.
The visual identity I built continues to be maintained by the team.
Multi-million naira in funding secured through pitch decks designed for MHRS 1.0 and 2.0.
Reduced stigma and encouraged more open discussions among young adults.
