How to use the four principles of graphic design to create images that engage audiences and make your organization look good As a 20+-year professional veteran of the graphic design field – most often working with nonprofits – I believe an organization’s marketing materials need no, require good design. In my experience good graphic design has…
Can you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following problem statements about your logo? My logo has too many colors and it’s difficult to see or make it look good on different backgrounds My logo has a complicated colorful gradient which is too expensive to reproduce My logo looks blurry when I try to print…
Do you sometimes feel your nonprofit is having an identity crisis – like one of your programs or events is more well-known than the organization itself? If the public recognizes the event or program, but not the organization that has worked so hard to make it a familiar success, this can be a problem —…
A few years ago, a small performing arts organization in California was having an identity crisis. They were asking themselves the question: Who are we – really?! Background Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization was founded in 1993. Back then they didn’t want to be known only as a drum and bugle corps, an organization that…
Knowing who you are as an organization and how you are perceived is a critical part of the branding process. Once you’ve got a handle on your mission, vision, values, and messages (congrats!), you’ll want to start disseminating your brand identity to the world. But do you really know who you’re trying to reach? A…
We know that branding is a great way to uncover and define an organization’s authentic self. But did you know that some of the most authentic stories may come from the past? A group that’s growing its brand reputation and perception should consider not only look into the future, but backwards, too – to identify and honor…
A Mood board is a tool that can be used during branding to help organizations get a sense of how their brand is evolving. Mood boards are a collage of: Colors Textures Patterns Images I’m a creative person and graphic designer. Even if I’m not working on a project that involves designing visual identity, I’ll start to…
I feel like I’m always using the word authentic to qualify the word brand. I do this because authenticity in a brand is of paramount importance. You can’t just make up your brand. No matter how much you want to pay me, I can’t develop the character of your brand either. Your brand is who…
Eventually we want to re-design our website, but first we want to redo our branding. Can we discuss your process?” We are headed into a major transformation and need big brand development. I’d like to get a general sense of what your approach might be.” When I’m contacted by a prospect, often they’ll ask about…
