When someone comes to me with an annual or impact report, brand refresh, fundraising campaign, presentation, or other communication that needs better design, my first question is what isn’t working and why. Maybe the most important information is getting lost. The reader doesn’t know where to begin. There’s … Read More ›
Having designed a plethora of reports, I've learned that looking good isn't enough. People have to be able to read the report, understand it, and find the information that matters to them. That can be harder than it sounds. An annual report may need to explain what an organization … Read More ›
If you've ever handed a donor a beautifully designed annual report — and then watched nothing happen — I've spent 40 years figuring out why. That thinking became my Readability Drives Revenue™ Process: a strategic approach to design built around being read, understood, and acted upon.The problem almost … Read More ›
After 40 years of working in graphic design, I've noticed a pattern: one of the biggest reasons creative projects go off track isn't bad design or weak writing — it's the lack of a creative brief, or one that isn't fully fleshed out. Whether the nonprofit professionals are developing … Read More ›
This morning I sat in a room full of nonprofit leaders at the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, working through what it actually takes to produce an annual report that works. Robin McGlothin, Amy Stirnweis, and Carrie Idol-Richards from the Good Plan Group walked us … Read More ›
A strategic approach to updating your visual identity and maximizing donor trust. Nonprofits face a unique challenge when undergoing a brand refresh. You're not just selling products or services — you're building trust, cultivating donor relationships, and maintaining recognition within your communities. A brand refresh must honor your … Read More ›
Turn your numbers into a story worth telling Learn the essential nonprofit annual report design strategies that increase donor engagement, build trust, and support fundraising goals. Annual reports aren’t just a necessary evil — they’re your nonprofit’s secret weapon for keeping donors engaged, invested, and excited about your mission. … Read More ›
Learn how one-page brochures, sell sheets, and marketing handouts help businesses capture attention, communicate value, generate leads, and support sales efforts. Marketing and development teams know that attention is everything. Whether securing funding, sharing impact, or rallying support, your message must be understood immediately. That’s where the one-pager marketing … Read More ›
Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming graphic design, marketing, and creative work—and why human expertise matters more than ever. Over the past year, it’s become almost impossible to attend a creative meeting, conference, industry event, or even dinner with friends, without the conversation turning to AI. Designers, writers, … Read More ›
Your data has a story. The right charts, infographics, and branded visuals make it clear, memorable, and persuasive. Transforming data into engaging, on-brand visuals isn’t just about making things look good; It's about making them clear, persuasive, and easy to remember. When your data visuals align with your … Read More ›
