diff --git a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/automations/page.tsx b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/automations/page.tsx
index f745fd4..9329ad5 100644
--- a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/automations/page.tsx
+++ b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/automations/page.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useCallback, useRef } from "react"
 import Image from "next/image"
 import {
-  Loader2, Check, Send, Sparkles, Trophy, CheckCheck,
+  Loader2, Check, Send, Trophy, CheckCheck,
   ChevronDown, Clock, MessageCircle, RefreshCw, Calendar
 } from "lucide-react"
 import Link from "next/link"
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ export default function AutomationsPage() {
       {/* ── Header ── */}
       <div>
         <div className="border-l-2 border-[#F59E0B] pl-3 mb-3">
-          <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">Automations</p>
+          <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">Donor journey</p>
         </div>
         <h1 className="text-3xl md:text-4xl font-black text-[#111827] tracking-tight">
           What your donors receive
@@ -169,73 +169,74 @@ export default function AutomationsPage() {
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* ━━ AI HERO ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ */}
+      {/* ━━ HERO ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+          No tech-speak. No model names. No cost breakdowns.
+          This is about what happens for the DONOR, not the engine.
+      ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ */}
       {neverOptimised ? (
+        /* ── Never tested: invite them to start ── */
         <div className="grid md:grid-cols-5 gap-0">
           <div className="md:col-span-2 relative min-h-[200px] md:min-h-[280px] overflow-hidden">
             <Image
               src="/images/brand/digital-03-notification-smile.jpg"
-              alt="Young man at a London bus stop smiling at his phone — the moment a gentle WhatsApp reminder lands"
+              alt="Young man smiling at his phone — the moment a gentle reminder lands"
               fill className="object-cover" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 40vw"
             />
           </div>
           <div className="md:col-span-3 bg-[#111827] p-8 md:p-10 flex flex-col justify-center">
-            <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-4">
-              <Sparkles className="h-4 w-4 text-[#60A5FA]" />
-              <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">AI optimisation</p>
-            </div>
             <h2 className="text-2xl md:text-3xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
-              Let AI improve your&nbsp;messages
+              Messages that improve&nbsp;themselves
             </h2>
             <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 leading-relaxed mt-3 max-w-md">
-              AI writes a different version of each message and tests both with real donors.
-              The better version wins automatically. Your messages get better over time — without you doing anything.
+              We test different versions of each message with your real donors.
+              The one that collects more pledges wins. Automatically. You don&apos;t do anything — they just get better over time.
             </p>
             <button onClick={optimiseAll} disabled={aiWorking}
               className="mt-6 inline-flex items-center justify-center bg-white px-6 py-3 text-sm font-bold text-[#111827] hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors self-start disabled:opacity-60">
               {aiWorking
-                ? <><Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin mr-2" /> AI is writing new versions…</>
-                : <><Sparkles className="h-4 w-4 mr-2" /> Start optimising</>}
+                ? <><Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin mr-2" /> Creating new versions…</>
+                : "Start improving"}
             </button>
-            <p className="text-[11px] text-gray-500 mt-3">Uses GPT-4.1 nano · Costs less than 1p per message</p>
           </div>
         </div>
       ) : testsRunning > 0 ? (
+        /* ── Tests running: quiet confidence ── */
         <div className="bg-[#111827] p-5 flex items-center gap-4">
           <div className="relative shrink-0">
-            <Sparkles className="h-5 w-5 text-[#60A5FA]" />
-            <span className="absolute -top-1 -right-1 w-2.5 h-2.5 bg-[#60A5FA] animate-pulse" style={{ borderRadius: "50%" }} />
+            <div className="w-2.5 h-2.5 bg-[#60A5FA]" style={{ borderRadius: "50%" }} />
+            <span className="absolute inset-0 w-2.5 h-2.5 bg-[#60A5FA] animate-pulse" style={{ borderRadius: "50%" }} />
           </div>
           <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-            <p className="text-sm font-bold text-white">AI is testing {testsRunning} experiment{testsRunning > 1 ? "s" : ""}</p>
-            <p className="text-[11px] text-gray-500 mt-0.5">Each message has two versions. The better one wins automatically.</p>
+            <p className="text-sm font-bold text-white">Testing {testsRunning} new version{testsRunning > 1 ? "s" : ""}</p>
+            <p className="text-[11px] text-gray-500 mt-0.5">The version that converts more donors wins automatically.</p>
           </div>
           {stepsWithoutTest > 0 && (
             <button onClick={optimiseAll} disabled={aiWorking}
               className="shrink-0 border border-gray-600 text-gray-300 px-3 py-1.5 text-[11px] font-bold hover:text-white hover:border-white transition-colors disabled:opacity-50">
-              {aiWorking ? <Loader2 className="h-3 w-3 animate-spin" /> : `+ ${stepsWithoutTest} more`}
+              {aiWorking ? <Loader2 className="h-3 w-3 animate-spin" /> : `Test ${stepsWithoutTest} more`}
             </button>
           )}
         </div>
       ) : (
+        /* ── All optimised: show results ── */
         <div className="bg-[#111827] p-5 flex items-center gap-4">
-          <Trophy className="h-5 w-5 text-[#16A34A] shrink-0" />
+          <div className="w-2.5 h-2.5 bg-[#16A34A] shrink-0" style={{ borderRadius: "50%" }} />
           <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-            <p className="text-sm font-bold text-white">Messages optimised</p>
+            <p className="text-sm font-bold text-white">Your messages are tuned</p>
             <p className="text-[11px] text-gray-500 mt-0.5">
-              {stats && stats.total > 0 ? `${stats.total} sent this week · ${stats.deliveryRate}% delivered` : "Winning versions are live."}
+              {stats && stats.total > 0 ? `${stats.total} sent · ${stats.deliveryRate}% delivered` : "Best-performing versions are live."}
             </p>
           </div>
           <button onClick={optimiseAll} disabled={aiWorking}
-            className="shrink-0 border border-gray-600 text-gray-300 px-3 py-1.5 text-[11px] font-bold hover:text-white hover:border-white transition-colors disabled:opacity-50 flex items-center gap-1.5">
-            {aiWorking ? <Loader2 className="h-3 w-3 animate-spin" /> : <><Sparkles className="h-3 w-3" /> New round</>}
+            className="shrink-0 border border-gray-600 text-gray-300 px-3 py-1.5 text-[11px] font-bold hover:text-white hover:border-white transition-colors disabled:opacity-50">
+            {aiWorking ? <Loader2 className="h-3 w-3 animate-spin" /> : "Test new versions"}
           </button>
         </div>
       )}
 
       {/* ━━ THE CONVERSATION ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
-          Full messages always visible. No truncation. No eclipse.
-          A/B tests stack vertically — Yours on top, AI below.
+          Full messages always visible. No truncation.
+          A/B tests stack vertically — Current on top, New below.
       ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ */}
       <div className="max-w-lg mx-auto">
         <div className="border border-gray-300 overflow-hidden shadow-lg" style={{ borderRadius: "20px" }}>
@@ -313,25 +314,25 @@ export default function AutomationsPage() {
                       </div>
                     </div>
                   ) : b ? (
-                    /* ── A/B TEST — FULL MESSAGES, STACKED VERTICALLY ── */
+                    /* ── A/B TEST — Two versions, stacked ── */
                     <div className="flex justify-end">
                       <div className="max-w-[90%] w-full" style={{ borderRadius: "8px" }}>
                         {/* Header bar */}
                         <div className="bg-[#075E54] text-white px-3 py-1.5 flex items-center gap-1.5" style={{ borderRadius: "8px 8px 0 0" }}>
-                          <Sparkles className="h-3 w-3 text-[#60A5FA]" />
-                          <span className="text-[10px] font-bold flex-1">AI is testing</span>
+                          <div className="w-1.5 h-1.5 bg-[#60A5FA]" style={{ borderRadius: "50%" }} />
+                          <span className="text-[10px] font-bold flex-1">Testing two versions</span>
                           {hasEnoughData && winner && (
                             <span className="text-[9px] bg-[#16A34A]/20 text-[#4ADE80] px-1.5 py-0.5 font-bold flex items-center gap-0.5">
-                              <Trophy className="h-2.5 w-2.5" /> {winner === "B" ? "AI" : "Yours"} winning
+                              <Trophy className="h-2.5 w-2.5" /> {winner === "B" ? "New" : "Current"} winning
                             </span>
                           )}
                           {!hasEnoughData && <span className="text-[9px] text-white/40">{progress}%</span>}
                         </div>
 
-                        {/* Variant A — Yours (full message) */}
+                        {/* Variant A — Current (full message) */}
                         <button onClick={() => startEdit(step)} className="w-full bg-[#DCF8C6] p-3 text-left hover:brightness-[0.97] transition-all border-b border-[#075E54]/10">
                           <div className="flex items-center gap-1 mb-2">
-                            <span className="text-[9px] font-bold text-[#075E54] bg-[#075E54]/10 px-1.5 py-0.5">Yours</span>
+                            <span className="text-[9px] font-bold text-[#075E54] bg-[#075E54]/10 px-1.5 py-0.5">Current</span>
                             {a && a.sentCount > 0 && (
                               <span className={`text-[9px] font-bold ml-auto ${winner === "A" ? "text-[#075E54]" : "text-[#667781]"}`}>
                                 {rateA}% conversion{winner === "A" && " 🏆"} · {a.convertedCount}/{a.sentCount}
@@ -343,11 +344,11 @@ export default function AutomationsPage() {
                           </div>
                         </button>
 
-                        {/* Variant B — AI (full message) */}
+                        {/* Variant B — New (full message) */}
                         <div className="bg-[#DCF8C6] p-3 relative group">
                           <div className="flex items-center gap-1 mb-2">
-                            <span className="text-[9px] font-bold text-[#1E40AF] bg-[#1E40AF]/10 px-1.5 py-0.5 flex items-center gap-0.5">
-                              <Sparkles className="h-2 w-2" /> AI
+                            <span className="text-[9px] font-bold text-[#1E40AF] bg-[#1E40AF]/10 px-1.5 py-0.5">
+                              New
                             </span>
                             {b.sentCount > 0 && (
                               <span className={`text-[9px] font-bold ml-auto ${winner === "B" ? "text-[#075E54]" : "text-[#667781]"}`}>
@@ -361,7 +362,7 @@ export default function AutomationsPage() {
                           {/* Regenerate */}
                           <button onClick={() => regenerateVariant(step)} disabled={isRegenning}
                             className="absolute top-2 right-2 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 bg-white/90 p-1.5 shadow-sm transition-opacity hover:bg-white disabled:opacity-50"
-                            style={{ borderRadius: "4px" }} title="Try a different AI version">
+                            style={{ borderRadius: "4px" }} title="Try a different version">
                             {isRegenning ? <Loader2 className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-[#1E40AF] animate-spin" /> : <RefreshCw className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-[#1E40AF]" />}
                           </button>
                         </div>
@@ -373,8 +374,8 @@ export default function AutomationsPage() {
                           </div>
                           <p className="text-[9px] text-[#667781] mt-1">
                             {hasEnoughData
-                              ? winner ? `${winner === "B" ? "AI" : "Your"} version converts ${Math.abs(rateB - rateA)}% better` : "Too close to call — need more data"
-                              : `${totalSent} of ${MIN_SAMPLE * 2} sends needed for a verdict`}
+                              ? winner ? `${winner === "B" ? "New" : "Current"} version converts ${Math.abs(rateB - rateA)}% better` : "Too close to call — need more data"
+                              : `${totalSent} of ${MIN_SAMPLE * 2} sends needed`}
                           </p>
                         </div>
                       </div>
@@ -422,7 +423,7 @@ export default function AutomationsPage() {
             className="w-full bg-[#111827] text-white py-3 text-sm font-bold flex items-center justify-center gap-2 hover:bg-gray-800 transition-colors disabled:opacity-50">
             {aiWorking
               ? <><Loader2 className="h-3.5 w-3.5 animate-spin" /> Picking winners…</>
-              : <><Trophy className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> Pick winners &amp; start new round</>}
+              : <><Trophy className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> Pick the best &amp; test new ones</>}
           </button>
         </div>
       )}
diff --git a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/collect/page.tsx b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/collect/page.tsx
index e9c9e85..aad40ab 100644
--- a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/collect/page.tsx
+++ b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/collect/page.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   Download, ExternalLink, Users, Trophy, ChevronDown, Link2,
   ArrowRight, QrCode as QrCodeIcon
 } from "lucide-react"
+import Image from "next/image"
 import Link from "next/link"
 import { QRCodeCanvas } from "@/components/qr-code"
 
@@ -222,13 +223,34 @@ export default function CollectPage() {
   return (
     <div className="space-y-6">
 
-      {/* ── Header: Appeal context (quiet for single, selector for multi) ── */}
+      {/* ━━ HERO — Brand photography + context ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ */}
+      <div className="grid md:grid-cols-5 gap-0 mb-6">
+        <div className="md:col-span-2 relative min-h-[140px] md:min-h-[180px] overflow-hidden">
+          <Image
+            src="/images/brand/event-05-qr-scanning.jpg"
+            alt="Guest scanning a QR code at a fundraising event"
+            fill className="object-cover"
+            sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 40vw"
+          />
+        </div>
+        <div className="md:col-span-3 bg-[#111827] p-6 md:p-8 flex flex-col justify-center">
+          <div className="border-l-2 border-[#F59E0B] pl-3 mb-3">
+            <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">Collect</p>
+          </div>
+          <h1 className="text-2xl md:text-3xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
+            Share your link, collect pledges
+          </h1>
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 mt-2">
+            {activeEvent ? `${sources.length} link${sources.length !== 1 ? "s" : ""} · ${activeEvent.pledgeCount} pledges · ${formatPence(activeEvent.totalPledged)} raised` : "Create an appeal and start collecting"}
+          </p>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* ── Appeal context (quiet for single, selector for multi) ── */}
       <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
         <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-          <h1 className="text-3xl font-black text-[#111827] tracking-tight">Collect</h1>
-
           {events.length === 1 ? (
-            <p className="text-sm text-gray-500 mt-0.5">{activeEvent?.name}</p>
+            <p className="text-sm font-bold text-[#111827]">{activeEvent?.name}</p>
           ) : (
             <div className="relative mt-1">
               <button
diff --git a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/exports/page.tsx b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/exports/page.tsx
index b065566..e13127b 100644
--- a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/exports/page.tsx
+++ b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/exports/page.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useCallback } from "react"
 import { formatPence } from "@/lib/utils"
 import { Download, Loader2, FileText, Shield, Zap, Activity } from "lucide-react"
+import Image from "next/image"
 
 /**
  * /dashboard/reports — "My treasurer needs numbers"
@@ -78,15 +79,35 @@ export default function ReportsPage() {
   return (
     <div className="space-y-8">
 
-      {/* ── Header ── */}
-      <div>
-        <h1 className="text-3xl font-black text-[#111827] tracking-tight">Reports</h1>
-        <p className="text-sm text-gray-500 mt-0.5">Financial summary, Gift Aid, and data downloads for your treasurer and trustees</p>
+      {/* ━━ HERO — Financial summary as a landing page section ━━━ */}
+      <div className="grid md:grid-cols-5 gap-0">
+        <div className="md:col-span-2 relative min-h-[180px] md:min-h-[240px] overflow-hidden">
+          <Image
+            src="/images/brand/impact-03-cheque-presentation.jpg"
+            alt="Cheque presentation at a charity event"
+            fill className="object-cover"
+            sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 40vw"
+          />
+        </div>
+        <div className="md:col-span-3 bg-[#111827] p-6 md:p-8 flex flex-col justify-center">
+          <div className="border-l-2 border-[#F59E0B] pl-3 mb-4">
+            <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">Reports</p>
+          </div>
+          <h1 className="text-3xl md:text-4xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
+            {formatPence(s.totalCollectedPence)}
+            <span className="text-gray-500 text-xl md:text-2xl ml-2">received</span>
+          </h1>
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 mt-1">
+            {formatPence(s.totalPledgedPence)} promised · {s.collectionRate}% collection rate
+          </p>
+          <p className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-3">
+            Financial summary, Gift Aid declarations, and data downloads for your treasurer.
+          </p>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
-      {/* ── Financial summary — the big picture ── */}
+      {/* ── Financial breakdown ── */}
       <div className="bg-[#111827] p-6">
-        <p className="text-[10px] font-bold text-gray-400 uppercase tracking-widest mb-4">Financial Summary</p>
         <div className="grid grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-px bg-gray-700">
           {[
             { value: formatPence(s.totalPledgedPence), label: "Total promised", color: "text-white" },
diff --git a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/layout.tsx b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/layout.tsx
index 136dcae..700da6a 100644
--- a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/layout.tsx
+++ b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/layout.tsx
@@ -4,15 +4,20 @@ import Link from "next/link"
 import { usePathname } from "next/navigation"
 import { useSession, signOut } from "next-auth/react"
 import { useState, useEffect } from "react"
-import { Home, Megaphone, Banknote, FileText, Settings, Plus, LogOut, Shield, AlertTriangle, MessageCircle, Users, Zap } from "lucide-react"
+import { Home, Megaphone, Banknote, FileText, Settings, LogOut, Shield, AlertTriangle, MessageCircle, Users, Zap } from "lucide-react"
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
 
 /**
- * Navigation: goal-oriented, not feature-oriented
- * Different nav for different roles:
- * - Admin/Staff: Full nav (Home, Collect, Money, Reports, Settings)
- * - Community Leader: Scoped nav (My Community, Collect, Reports)
+ * Dashboard shell — feels like the landing page, not a SaaS cockpit.
+ *
+ * Design DNA from the landing page:
+ * - Sharp edges (no rounded corners)
+ * - Midnight header
+ * - Border-l-2 active states
+ * - Generous typography
+ * - White background (not gray)
  */
+
 const adminNavItems = [
   { href: "/dashboard", label: "Home", icon: Home },
   { href: "/dashboard/collect", label: "Collect", icon: Megaphone },
@@ -39,7 +44,6 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
   const isCommunityLeader = user?.role === "community_leader"
   const navItems = isCommunityLeader ? communityNavItems : adminNavItems
 
-  // Map old routes to new ones for active state
   const isActive = (href: string) => {
     if (href === "/dashboard") return pathname === "/dashboard"
     if (href === "/dashboard/community") return pathname === "/dashboard/community" || pathname === "/dashboard"
@@ -51,30 +55,23 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
   }
 
   return (
-    <div className="min-h-screen bg-[#F9FAFB]">
-      {/* Top bar — brand-consistent: sharp, midnight, no blur */}
-      <header className="sticky top-0 z-40 border-b border-gray-200 bg-white">
-        <div className="flex h-14 items-center gap-4 px-4 md:px-6">
+    <div className="min-h-screen bg-white">
+      {/* Top bar — midnight, sharp, editorial */}
+      <header className="sticky top-0 z-40 bg-[#111827]">
+        <div className="flex h-12 items-center gap-4 px-4 md:px-6">
           <Link href="/dashboard" className="flex items-center gap-2.5">
-            <div className="h-7 w-7 bg-[#111827] flex items-center justify-center">
-              <span className="text-white text-xs font-black">P</span>
+            <div className="h-6 w-6 bg-white flex items-center justify-center">
+              <span className="text-[#111827] text-[10px] font-black">P</span>
             </div>
             <div className="hidden sm:block">
-              <span className="font-black text-sm text-[#111827] tracking-tight">{user?.orgName || "Pledge Now, Pay Later"}</span>
+              <span className="font-black text-sm text-white tracking-tight">{user?.orgName || "Pledge Now, Pay Later"}</span>
             </div>
           </Link>
           <div className="flex-1" />
-          {!isCommunityLeader && (
-            <Link href="/dashboard/collect">
-              <button className="hidden md:inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 bg-[#111827] px-3.5 py-1.5 text-xs font-bold text-white hover:bg-gray-800 transition-colors">
-                <Plus className="h-3 w-3" /> New Appeal
-              </button>
-            </Link>
-          )}
           {session && (
             <button
               onClick={() => signOut({ callbackUrl: "/login" })}
-              className="text-xs text-gray-400 hover:text-[#111827] transition-colors flex items-center gap-1"
+              className="text-xs text-gray-500 hover:text-white transition-colors flex items-center gap-1"
               aria-label="Sign out"
             >
               <LogOut className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
@@ -84,8 +81,8 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
       </header>
 
       <div className="flex">
-        {/* Desktop sidebar — brand style: sharp, left-border active state */}
-        <aside className="hidden md:flex w-48 flex-col border-r border-gray-200 bg-white min-h-[calc(100vh-3.5rem)] py-4 px-2">
+        {/* Desktop sidebar — editorial, quiet, border-l-2 active states */}
+        <aside className="hidden md:flex w-48 flex-col border-r border-gray-100 bg-white min-h-[calc(100vh-3rem)] py-6 px-2">
           <nav className="space-y-0.5">
             {navItems.map((item) => {
               const active = isActive(item.href)
@@ -97,7 +94,7 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
                     "flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2.5 text-[13px] font-medium transition-colors",
                     active
                       ? "bg-[#1E40AF]/5 text-[#1E40AF] border-l-2 border-[#1E40AF] -ml-[2px] pl-[14px]"
-                      : "text-gray-500 hover:bg-gray-50 hover:text-[#111827]"
+                      : "text-gray-400 hover:bg-gray-50 hover:text-[#111827]"
                   )}
                 >
                   <item.icon className="h-4 w-4" />
@@ -114,7 +111,7 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
                     "flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2.5 text-[13px] font-medium transition-colors",
                     pathname === superAdminNav.href
                       ? "bg-[#1E40AF]/5 text-[#1E40AF] border-l-2 border-[#1E40AF] -ml-[2px] pl-[14px]"
-                      : "text-gray-500 hover:bg-gray-50 hover:text-[#111827]"
+                      : "text-gray-400 hover:bg-gray-50 hover:text-[#111827]"
                   )}
                 >
                   <superAdminNav.icon className="h-4 w-4" />
@@ -124,12 +121,12 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
             )}
           </nav>
 
-          {/* Sidebar CTA — brand style, no emoji */}
-          <div className="mt-auto px-1.5 pt-4">
+          {/* Sidebar footer — brand style */}
+          <div className="mt-auto px-1.5 pt-6">
             <div className="border-l-2 border-[#111827] pl-3 py-2">
               <p className="text-xs font-bold text-[#111827]">Need expert help?</p>
-              <p className="text-[10px] text-gray-500 leading-relaxed mt-0.5">
-                Get a fractional CTO for your charity&apos;s digital stack.
+              <p className="text-[10px] text-gray-400 leading-relaxed mt-0.5">
+                Fractional CTO for your charity&apos;s digital&nbsp;stack.
               </p>
               <Link href="/dashboard/apply" className="inline-block text-[10px] font-semibold text-[#1E40AF] hover:underline mt-1">
                 Learn more →
@@ -138,7 +135,7 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
           </div>
         </aside>
 
-        {/* Mobile bottom nav — 5 items, icon + label */}
+        {/* Mobile bottom nav */}
         <nav className="md:hidden fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 z-40 border-t border-gray-200 bg-white flex justify-around py-1.5 px-1">
           {navItems.map((item) => {
             const active = isActive(item.href)
@@ -158,7 +155,7 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
           })}
         </nav>
 
-        {/* Main content */}
+        {/* Main content — white background, generous padding */}
         <main className="flex-1 p-4 md:p-6 lg:p-8 pb-20 md:pb-8 max-w-6xl">
           <WhatsAppBanner />
           {children}
@@ -168,7 +165,7 @@ export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
   )
 }
 
-/** Persistent WhatsApp connection banner — shows until connected */
+/** WhatsApp connection banner — shows until connected */
 function WhatsAppBanner() {
   const [status, setStatus] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [dismissed, setDismissed] = useState(false)
@@ -190,7 +187,7 @@ function WhatsAppBanner() {
       <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
         <p className="text-sm font-bold text-[#111827]">WhatsApp not connected — reminders won&apos;t send</p>
         <p className="text-xs text-gray-600 mt-0.5">
-          Connect your WhatsApp so donors automatically get payment reminders. Takes 60 seconds.
+          Connect your WhatsApp so donors automatically get payment reminders.
         </p>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mt-2.5">
           <Link
diff --git a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx
index 2f5faa2..49b63b3 100644
--- a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx
+++ b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/page.tsx
@@ -3,21 +3,18 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useCallback } from "react"
 import { useRouter } from "next/navigation"
 import { useSession } from "next-auth/react"
+import Image from "next/image"
 import { formatPence } from "@/lib/utils"
 import { ArrowRight, Loader2, MessageCircle, Copy, Check, Share2, Upload } from "lucide-react"
 import Link from "next/link"
 
 /**
- * Context-aware dashboard.
+ * Context-aware dashboard — feels like a landing page for YOUR data.
  *
- * Instead of a static layout, this page morphs based on what the user
- * needs RIGHT NOW. It mirrors their internal monologue:
- *
- * State 1 (no events):     "I need to set up" → redirect to /welcome
- * State 2 (0 pledges):     "Did it work? How do I share?" → show link + share buttons
- * State 3 (has pledges):   "Who's pledged? Who's paid?" → show feed + stats
- * State 4 (has overdue):   "Who needs chasing?" → promote attention items
- * State 5 (has "said paid"): "Did the money arrive?" → prompt bank upload
+ * Every state has:
+ * 1. A hero section (brand photography + dark panel with the key metric)
+ * 2. Content sections that use landing page patterns (gap-px, border-l-2)
+ * 3. Human language throughout
  */
 
 const STATUS_LABELS: Record<string, { label: string; color: string; bg: string }> = {
@@ -60,7 +57,6 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
     setLoading(false)
   }, [])
 
-  // Redirect community leaders to their scoped dashboard
   useEffect(() => {
     if (userRole === "community_leader" || userRole === "volunteer") {
       router.replace("/dashboard/community")
@@ -73,7 +69,6 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
     return () => clearInterval(i)
   }, [fetchAll])
 
-  // Fetch the first QR code link
   useEffect(() => {
     if (events.length > 0) {
       fetch(`/api/events/${events[0].id}/qr`)
@@ -88,12 +83,10 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
     }
   }, [events])
 
-  // ── Loading ──
   if (loading) {
     return <div className="flex items-center justify-center py-20"><Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 text-[#1E40AF] animate-spin" /></div>
   }
 
-  // ── State 1: No events → redirect to welcome ──
   const hasEvents = events.length > 0
   if (!hasEvents && ob) {
     const eventDone = ob.steps?.find((s: { id: string; done: boolean }) => s.id === "event" || s.id === "share")?.done
@@ -109,6 +102,8 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
   const topSources = data?.topSources || []
   const isEmpty = s.totalPledges === 0
   const hasSaidPaid = (byStatus.initiated || 0) > 0
+  const allCollected = !isEmpty && s.collectionRate === 100
+  const outstanding = s.totalPledgedPence - s.totalCollectedPence
 
   const recentPledges = pledges.filter((p: { status: string }) => p.status !== "cancelled").slice(0, 8)
   const needsAttention = [
@@ -125,57 +120,112 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
     setTimeout(() => setCopied(false), 2000)
   }
 
-  return (
-    <div className="space-y-8">
+  // Pick contextual hero photo
+  const heroPhoto = allCollected
+    ? "/images/brand/impact-02-thank-you-letter.jpg"
+    : isEmpty
+    ? "/images/brand/product-setup-05-briefing-volunteers.jpg"
+    : "/images/brand/event-03-table-conversation.jpg"
 
-      {/* ── Context header: shows event name, not generic "Home" ── */}
-      <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
-        <div>
+  const heroAlt = allCollected
+    ? "Woman reading a thank-you card — the quiet moment when every pledge gets through"
+    : isEmpty
+    ? "Event organiser briefing volunteers before a fundraising dinner"
+    : "Friends at a charity dinner — where pledges begin"
+
+  return (
+    <div className="space-y-6">
+
+      {/* ━━ HERO — Brand photography + the one thing that matters ━━━ */}
+      <div className="grid md:grid-cols-5 gap-0">
+        <div className="md:col-span-3 relative min-h-[180px] md:min-h-[240px] overflow-hidden">
+          <Image
+            src={heroPhoto}
+            alt={heroAlt}
+            fill className="object-cover"
+            sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 60vw"
+            priority
+          />
+        </div>
+        <div className={`md:col-span-2 p-6 md:p-8 flex flex-col justify-center ${allCollected ? "bg-[#16A34A]" : "bg-[#111827]"}`}>
           {activeEvent && (
-            <p className="text-[10px] font-bold text-gray-400 uppercase tracking-widest mb-1">
-              {events.length > 1 ? `${events.length} appeals` : "Your appeal"}
+            <p className="text-[10px] font-bold text-gray-400 uppercase tracking-widest mb-3">
+              {activeEvent.name}
             </p>
           )}
-          <h1 className="text-3xl font-black text-[#111827] tracking-tight">
-            {activeEvent?.name || "Home"}
-          </h1>
-          {waConnected !== null && (
-            <p className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-1 flex items-center gap-1">
-              <MessageCircle className={`h-3 w-3 ${waConnected ? "text-[#25D366]" : "text-gray-400"}`} />
-              {waConnected ? "WhatsApp connected" : "WhatsApp not connected"}
-            </p>
+
+          {allCollected ? (
+            <>
+              <h1 className="text-2xl md:text-3xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
+                Every pledge collected
+              </h1>
+              <p className="text-sm text-white/70 mt-2">
+                {formatPence(s.totalCollectedPence)} received from {s.totalPledges} donors
+              </p>
+            </>
+          ) : isEmpty ? (
+            <>
+              <h1 className="text-2xl md:text-3xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
+                Ready to collect pledges
+              </h1>
+              <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 mt-2">
+                Share your link — pledges will appear here as they come in.
+              </p>
+              {waConnected !== null && (
+                <p className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-3 flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                  <MessageCircle className={`h-3 w-3 ${waConnected ? "text-[#25D366]" : "text-gray-500"}`} />
+                  {waConnected ? "WhatsApp connected — reminders active" : "WhatsApp not connected"}
+                </p>
+              )}
+            </>
+          ) : (
+            <>
+              <h1 className="text-3xl md:text-4xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
+                {formatPence(outstanding)}
+              </h1>
+              <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 mt-1">
+                still to come · {s.collectionRate}% collected
+              </p>
+
+              {/* Contextual CTA — what should they do RIGHT NOW? */}
+              {hasSaidPaid ? (
+                <Link href="/dashboard/money" className="mt-4 inline-flex items-center gap-2 bg-white px-4 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold text-[#111827] hover:bg-gray-100 transition-colors self-start">
+                  <Upload className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> Upload bank statement
+                </Link>
+              ) : (byStatus.overdue || 0) > 0 ? (
+                <Link href="/dashboard/money" className="mt-4 inline-flex items-center gap-2 border border-gray-600 px-4 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold text-gray-300 hover:text-white hover:border-white transition-colors self-start">
+                  {byStatus.overdue} {byStatus.overdue === 1 ? "pledge needs" : "pledges need"} a nudge <ArrowRight className="h-3 w-3" />
+                </Link>
+              ) : null}
+            </>
           )}
         </div>
-        {events.length > 1 && (
-          <Link href="/dashboard/collect" className="text-xs font-semibold text-[#1E40AF] hover:underline">
-            Switch appeal →
-          </Link>
-        )}
       </div>
 
-      {/* ── State 2: Has event, no pledges → "Share your link" ── */}
+      {/* ── Empty state: Share your link ── */}
       {isEmpty && pledgeLink && (
         <div className="space-y-6">
-          <div className="bg-[#111827] p-6 space-y-4">
-            <p className="text-[10px] font-bold text-gray-400 uppercase tracking-widest">Your pledge link</p>
-            <p className="text-white text-sm font-mono break-all">{pledgeLink}</p>
-            <div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-2">
-              <button onClick={copyLink} className="bg-white/10 hover:bg-white/20 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold text-white transition-colors flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5">
+          <div className="border-l-2 border-[#F59E0B] pl-3">
+            <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">Your pledge link</p>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="bg-white border border-gray-200 p-5 space-y-4">
+            <p className="text-sm font-mono text-gray-500 break-all">{pledgeLink}</p>
+            <div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-1.5">
+              <button onClick={copyLink} className={`py-2.5 text-xs font-bold transition-colors flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5 ${
+                copied ? "bg-[#16A34A] text-white" : "bg-[#111827] text-white hover:bg-gray-800"
+              }`}>
                 {copied ? <><Check className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> Copied</> : <><Copy className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> Copy</>}
               </button>
               <button onClick={() => window.open(`https://wa.me/?text=${encodeURIComponent(`Please pledge for ${activeEvent?.name}:\n${pledgeLink}`)}`, "_blank")} className="bg-[#25D366] hover:bg-[#25D366]/90 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold text-white transition-colors flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5">
                 <MessageCircle className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> WhatsApp
               </button>
-              <button onClick={() => navigator.share?.({ url: pledgeLink, title: activeEvent?.name })} className="bg-white/10 hover:bg-white/20 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold text-white transition-colors flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5">
+              <button onClick={() => navigator.share?.({ url: pledgeLink, title: activeEvent?.name })} className="border border-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold text-[#111827] transition-colors flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5">
                 <Share2 className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> Share
               </button>
             </div>
           </div>
 
-          <div className="text-center py-6">
-            <p className="text-sm text-gray-500">No pledges yet — share your link and they&apos;ll appear here</p>
-          </div>
-
           <div className="border-l-2 border-[#1E40AF] pl-4">
             <Link href={`/dashboard/events/${activeEvent?.id}`} className="text-sm font-bold text-[#111827] hover:text-[#1E40AF] transition-colors">
               Create more pledge links →
@@ -185,10 +235,10 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* ── State 3+: Has pledges → stats + feed ── */}
+      {/* ── Has pledges: Stats + Feed ── */}
       {!isEmpty && (
         <>
-          {/* Big numbers */}
+          {/* Stats — dark inversion like landing page hero */}
           <div className="grid grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-px bg-gray-200">
             {[
               { value: String(s.totalPledges), label: "Pledges" },
@@ -214,13 +264,13 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
             </div>
             <div className="flex justify-between mt-2 text-xs text-gray-500">
               <span>{formatPence(s.totalCollectedPence)} received</span>
-              <span>{formatPence(s.totalPledgedPence - s.totalCollectedPence)} still to come</span>
+              <span>{formatPence(outstanding)} still to come</span>
             </div>
           </div>
 
-          {/* ── Contextual prompt: "said they paid" → upload bank statement ── */}
+          {/* ── "Said they paid" prompt ── */}
           {hasSaidPaid && (
-            <Link href="/dashboard/reconcile">
+            <Link href="/dashboard/money">
               <div className="border-l-2 border-[#F59E0B] bg-[#F59E0B]/5 p-4 flex items-center gap-3 hover:bg-[#F59E0B]/10 transition-colors cursor-pointer">
                 <Upload className="h-5 w-5 text-[#F59E0B] shrink-0" />
                 <div className="flex-1">
@@ -237,7 +287,7 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
             <div className="lg:col-span-2 space-y-6">
               {/* Needs attention */}
               {needsAttention.length > 0 && (
-                <div className="bg-white">
+                <div className="bg-white border border-gray-200">
                   <div className="border-b border-gray-100 px-5 py-3 flex items-center justify-between">
                     <h3 className="text-sm font-bold text-[#111827]">Needs attention</h3>
                     <span className="text-[10px] font-bold text-white bg-[#DC2626] px-1.5 py-0.5">{needsAttention.length}</span>
@@ -263,7 +313,7 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
               )}
 
               {/* How pledges are doing */}
-              <div className="bg-white">
+              <div className="bg-white border border-gray-200">
                 <div className="border-b border-gray-100 px-5 py-3">
                   <h3 className="text-sm font-bold text-[#111827]">How pledges are doing</h3>
                 </div>
@@ -280,9 +330,9 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
                 </div>
               </div>
 
-              {/* Top sources */}
+              {/* Where pledges come from */}
               {topSources.length > 0 && (
-                <div className="bg-white">
+                <div className="bg-white border border-gray-200">
                   <div className="border-b border-gray-100 px-5 py-3">
                     <h3 className="text-sm font-bold text-[#111827]">Where pledges come from</h3>
                   </div>
@@ -303,7 +353,7 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
 
             {/* RIGHT column: Recent pledges */}
             <div className="lg:col-span-3">
-              <div className="bg-white">
+              <div className="bg-white border border-gray-200">
                 <div className="border-b border-gray-100 px-5 py-3 flex items-center justify-between">
                   <h3 className="text-sm font-bold text-[#111827]">Recent pledges</h3>
                   <Link href="/dashboard/money" className="text-xs font-semibold text-[#1E40AF] hover:underline">View all</Link>
@@ -349,14 +399,6 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
           </div>
         </>
       )}
-
-      {/* ── State: all paid → celebration ── */}
-      {!isEmpty && s.collectionRate === 100 && (
-        <div className="bg-[#16A34A]/5 border border-[#16A34A]/20 p-6 text-center">
-          <p className="text-2xl font-black text-[#16A34A]">Every pledge collected</p>
-          <p className="text-sm text-gray-600 mt-1">{formatPence(s.totalCollectedPence)} received from {s.totalPledges} donors</p>
-        </div>
-      )}
     </div>
   )
 }
diff --git a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/pledges/page.tsx b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/pledges/page.tsx
index 5026a65..12f9846 100644
--- a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/pledges/page.tsx
+++ b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/pledges/page.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, Loader2, Upload, AlertTriangle,
   Clock, HelpCircle, AlertCircle, FileUp, X
 } from "lucide-react"
+import Image from "next/image"
 import { formatPence } from "@/lib/utils"
 
 /**
@@ -259,12 +260,28 @@ export default function MoneyPage() {
   return (
     <div className="space-y-6">
 
-      {/* ── Header ── */}
-      <div>
-        <h1 className="text-3xl font-black text-[#111827] tracking-tight">Money</h1>
-        <p className="text-sm text-gray-500 mt-0.5">
-          {formatPence(stats.totalCollected)} received of {formatPence(stats.totalPledged)} promised
-        </p>
+      {/* ━━ HERO — Dark stats panel like landing page ━━━━━━━━━━━━ */}
+      <div className="grid md:grid-cols-5 gap-0 mb-6">
+        <div className="md:col-span-2 relative min-h-[140px] md:min-h-[180px] overflow-hidden">
+          <Image
+            src="/images/brand/ops-06-counting-money.jpg"
+            alt="Charity treasurer counting donations after an event"
+            fill className="object-cover"
+            sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 40vw"
+          />
+        </div>
+        <div className="md:col-span-3 bg-[#111827] p-6 md:p-8 flex flex-col justify-center">
+          <div className="border-l-2 border-[#F59E0B] pl-3 mb-3">
+            <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">Money</p>
+          </div>
+          <h1 className="text-3xl md:text-4xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
+            {formatPence(stats.totalCollected)}
+            <span className="text-gray-500 text-xl md:text-2xl ml-2">of {formatPence(stats.totalPledged)}</span>
+          </h1>
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 mt-1">
+            {collectionRate}% collected · {stats.total} pledges
+          </p>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       {/* ── Stats bar (clickable filters) ── */}
diff --git a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/settings/page.tsx b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/settings/page.tsx
index eabc851..d3a2e6c 100644
--- a/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/settings/page.tsx
+++ b/pledge-now-pay-later/src/app/dashboard/settings/page.tsx
@@ -188,24 +188,24 @@ export default function SettingsPage() {
   return (
     <div className="space-y-6 max-w-2xl">
 
-      {/* ── Header ── */}
-      <div>
-        <p className="text-[10px] font-bold text-gray-400 uppercase tracking-widest">{settings.name}</p>
-        <h1 className="text-3xl font-black text-[#111827] tracking-tight">Settings</h1>
-      </div>
-
-      {/* ── Progress — human sentence, not a grid ── */}
-      <div className="space-y-3">
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
-          <div className="flex-1 h-1.5 bg-gray-100 overflow-hidden">
+      {/* ── Header — human progress, not a form page ── */}
+      <div className={`p-6 mb-6 ${doneCount === totalCount ? "bg-[#16A34A]" : "bg-[#111827]"}`}>
+        <div className="border-l-2 border-[#F59E0B] pl-3 mb-3">
+          <p className="text-[11px] font-semibold tracking-[0.15em] uppercase text-gray-500">Settings</p>
+        </div>
+        <h1 className="text-2xl md:text-3xl font-black text-white tracking-tight">
+          {settings.name}
+        </h1>
+        <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 mt-2">{headerMsg}</p>
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mt-4">
+          <div className="flex-1 h-1.5 bg-white/10 overflow-hidden">
             <div
-              className={`h-full transition-all duration-700 ${doneCount === totalCount ? "bg-[#16A34A]" : "bg-[#1E40AF]"}`}
+              className={`h-full transition-all duration-700 ${doneCount === totalCount ? "bg-white" : "bg-[#1E40AF]"}`}
               style={{ width: `${Math.round((doneCount / totalCount) * 100)}%` }}
             />
           </div>
-          <span className="text-xs font-bold text-[#111827] shrink-0">{doneCount}/{totalCount}</span>
+          <span className="text-xs font-bold text-white shrink-0">{doneCount}/{totalCount}</span>
         </div>
-        <p className="text-sm text-gray-500">{headerMsg}</p>
       </div>
 
       {error && <div className="border-l-2 border-[#DC2626] bg-[#DC2626]/5 p-3 text-sm text-[#DC2626]">{error}</div>}