Creating a digital presence for a retreat centre like Hillesgården was a project deeply close to my heart. This place has played an important role in my life for many years. I have both lived and worked there, and I often return to recharge and find inspiration. When Hillesgården decided it was time to update their website, contributing my expertise felt like a natural choice.
A retreat centre in Skåne with heart
Hillesgården is a non profit retreat centre located just outside Klippan in Skåne. The centre includes a café, restaurant, guesthouse, shop and a wide range of cultural events. People gather here to experience calm, connection and personal growth.
Throughout the year, Hillesgården hosts courses, concerts and themed days that attract both local visitors and guests from further afield. Surrounded by nature and grounded in strong values, the centre offers a space for rest, reflection and joy.
Renewing a digital presence for a retreat centre
Hillesgården already had a WordPress website, but it no longer reflected the growth of the organisation, its tone or its visual identity. While the content was present, the overall experience felt fragmented and lacked the calm and welcoming atmosphere that defines the physical place.
My task was to renew and strengthen their digital presence for a retreat centre. The goal was to create a structured, warm and mobile friendly website that communicates the feeling of Hillesgården while making it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for.
Since many visitors come from outside Sweden, we also created dedicated pages in English and German. This allowed the centre to reach a wider audience without compromising clarity or tone.
Strategic brand design through close collaboration
We began the project with a thorough review of the existing website. Together with Hillesgårdens communications manager, Elisabeth Linder, I analysed what was working and what needed improvement. We discussed target groups, user journeys and content priorities.
Because Elisabeth manages the website content after launch, it was essential that the site was easy to work with on a daily basis. I therefore designed a clear structure and layout that supports both visual harmony and practical usability. With templates and intuitive page structures, future updates can be handled with ease.
The visual direction is calm and restrained, with a soft colour palette, gentle typography and natural imagery. Several of the photographs used on the website are my own, taken during periods when I lived and worked at Hillesgården. This added an extra layer of authenticity and presence to the project.
A strong digital presence for a living place
The final result is a digital presence for a retreat centre that combines clarity with warmth and calm. The website reflects the soul of the place while making it easy for visitors to explore everything Hillesgården has to offer.
Today, the website serves as a central hub for contact, events, inspiration and bookings. It supports the organisation in daily operations while strengthening the overall impression for new visitors. Creating something that both represents and supports such a meaningful place has been truly rewarding.
“Before Erika redesigned our website, she carried out a thorough review of our needs and target groups together with us. We are extremely happy with the result and can highly recommend Erika. She brings many practical ideas and is friendly, professional and very easy to work with.”
— Elisabeth Linder
A heartfelt project with deep roots
This project was more than a professional assignment. It was a way of giving back to a place that has shaped me deeply. Hillesgården has given me so much over the years, and contributing my skills in brand design, web design and digital strategy felt like a natural continuation of that relationship.
Working closely with Elisabeth was also a joy. There is something special about collaborating with people who truly care about their mission. I am proud of the result and grateful to have been part of this journey.
If you are looking to create a digital presence that reflects the soul of your organisation, you are very welcome to explore my services.