Our journal
and writings
We believe in order to change the world we must always be open to new ideas.
We’re experts in design for mission-driven work. We use this space to share our approach and our thoughts on marketing for nonprofits.
Why hiring a graphic designer is still important in the age of DIY and AI
When people look at the cost of hiring a professional graphic designer, they tend to pick their jaw up off the floor and move on to a drag-and-drop tool like Canva or WIX, or lean into AI. While these are great tools for people who know how to use them, it can be daunting to design something that sticks out from the crowd if you’re only comfortable with templates.
How to develop a strong creative direction for mission-driven brands
A solid creative direction helps us understand exactly how we'll use design to solve your problems before any design work is created.
The value of brand design for impact-driven organizations
Investing in brand design shapes your brand story and connects with your ideal customers. Here's why you need solid branding.
Why brand guidelines matter for nonprofits and mission-driven teams
Think of your Brand Guidelines as the “when to use what, where to use it, and how to use it” of your new brand. Here's what to expect!
4 mistakes to avoid in your nonprofit website redesign
Redesigning your website can be one of the most rewarding parts of a rebrand. But a redesign can also be stressful. Here are four mistakes nonprofits often make during a website redesign, and how to avoid each one.
What is a brand workshop, and does your nonprofit need one?
If you’re hoping to grow your business and establish yourself as a leader in your industry, you’ll need a strong brand. The best way to build one? Complete a brand workshop with your team, led by a branding professional. Here’s how it could help you!
Nonprofit branding and web design best practices
Fundraisers, door-to-door campaigns, and petitions are some of the many creative ways nonprofits work to spread their message. As visionary, world-changing organizations, they are always seeking ways to further their mission. One frequently overlooked way to do that, however, is through quality branding and design.
How to breathe new life into your nonprofit's brand
There’s no better time than now to take another stab at the new year and breathe new life into your business and brand. You don’t actually need a date or a New Year to tell you when to refresh your brand; you just need to know when it’s time to.
Why we stopped thinking in brand deliverables for nonprofits
Most organizations think their brand “isn’t working.” What’s usually underneath the request is something bigger: a clarity problem, a consistency problem, or a growth problem. That’s why we don’t think about nonprofit brands in deliverables. We think about them in stages.
Is it time for a nonprofit brand refresh? How to know
Have you been feeling an internal push telling you it’s time to pivot—but you just don’t know in what way? In this journal we’re talking about the feelings that might be itching you and possible strategic design solutions.
Why knowing your audience matters for mission-driven organizations
To make your customers feel like your brand truly understands them, you first need to know your audience. Knowing your audience inside and out is crucial to successfully building a lasting relationship because it allows you to tailor your marketing and brand design directly to your customers.
Your nonprofit is a soul with a brand: why identity starts with mission
I recently heard the quote, “You are a soul with a body, not a body with a soul.” The same is true for our businesses and orgs! They are more than just brands. They themselves are souls. So we should treat them as such.
Is your nonprofit brand resonating with your audience? Here's how to tell
How do you know if your nonprofit brand is working? These are the real-world, non-number signs your community is connecting with your mission.
How to tell the story behind your nonprofit rebrand
Launching a new brand is more than a logo drop—it’s a moment to celebrate your mission and reconnect with your community. Here’s how to approach your brand launch with intention, heart, and just the right amount of fanfare.
The benefits of hiring a nonprofit-focused design studio
Let’s chat about why hiring a nonprofit-focused designer for your brand and website can elevate your mission, grow your impact, and build long-term trust.
How strategic design can strengthen your nonprofit
We know investing in nonprofit branding or web design can feel like a big step—especially when you're navigating limited resources. Here are ten ways that thoughtful, strategic design can make your nonprofit stronger, more recognizable, and more aligned with your mission.
8 signs your nonprofit is due for a rebrand
Your nonprofit’s grown—but has your brand kept up? If your logo, messaging, or website still feel like the old you, it might be time for a rebrand. Here are 8 signs it’s time to refresh, realign, and reconnect—with your team, your donors, and your mission.
Embracing a fresh start in your nonprofit's brand identity
After 12 moves across countries and continents, I’ve learned that change—while scary—is a powerful catalyst for growth. The same is true in business. A brand refresh can transform how you see your business and how others experience it.
How empathy makes me a better designer for nonprofits
When I left my cushy advertising design job to pursue nonprofit work, that’s when I really realized how deeply I cared. But over the years and late nights pushing pixels for big Ad, I realized something: I hated it. I wanted to feel like my work was making a difference.
Balancing representation and imagination in social impact icon design
Icons can go beyond literal representation to strike a powerful balance between symbolism and imagination, evoking emotion, telling a story, and sparking curiosity in branding.
