Pro bono work is for good
When I started Ditto! Design! in 2002, I had a clear vision. Regardless of their resources, I wanted everybody to benefit from the same strategy, design, and branding skills to which professional firms and corporations had access.
Part of this vision is pro bono work, which I continue to provide. Volunteering may seem counter-intuitive to some, but I like to have a pro bono client on the books for several reasons.
Firstly, it’s a fantastic opportunity to help local nonprofit organizations make a positive impact on their audiences. By lending my skills to shape or communicate their message effectively through great design, we draw on each other’s strengths. And in the process, we can achieve a level of collaboration and engagement that’s genuinely rewarding. Sometimes literally – I was once voted Volunteer of the Year for my work with nonprofit organizations in Ulster County, NY.
Secondly, it opens a window to new creative challenges. I often work with clients who have an exciting idea or project but lack the resources to invest in professional design services. This situation often requires me to find a solution that creatively meets the brief. I may be free to flex my design skills and be more experimental, something rarely found in the brief of a paid assignment.
Finally, there are other non-monetary rewards I may receive. Sure, it adds variety to my portfolio, but more importantly, I’m helping to make a difference in our local community by helping nonprofits realize their image or fundraising objectives. And, as an extra reward, my contribution to a worthy cause will be genuinely appreciated.
Pro bono work isn’t about giving away your talent for nothing (for example, I can earn a regular fee when a grant supports a project). It’s about doing something good. It’s about lending your expertise to make a positive impact on people who could benefit from your skills, which has been my vision all along.
We all know you only get one chance to make a good impression. An appropriate and considered design can elevate an organization’s stature and sometimes credibility by projecting its true identity. So, if you’re a nonprofit that could benefit from brand or design help from an experienced agency, let’s talk.
Till next time, this is Rick signing off.
PS: Click here to read our story about our work for the Kingston Midtown Arts District.
Howdy!
I’m Rick, a seasoned brand strategist and identity designer practicing in Pittsburgh, the City of Bridges.
For more than 40 years, I’ve been creating remarkable brand solutions for companies, nonprofits and feisty solopreneurs worldwide.
I want people to understand why a brand is essential to their success, share a few personal experiences, and explore what goes into a good (or bad) design.