Anyone who’s taken a formal art class at some point learned the Rule of Thirds. Instructors usually recommend embracing this rule to achieve “harmony” or “visual impact” in your design project. I recommend it to nonprofit designers because in the words of the celebrated watercolor artist, and my friend, Margaret Godfrey: “Symmetry is boring.”

Our clients at Square Lightning discover quickly that typography selection is almost a sacred art around here. We see it as a practice, not a preference. Sure, we might have our favorite typefaces, but a font we think is cool or pretty might actually detract from the impact of a design.

Design thinking is a mindset that places the user and their needs at the core of the creative process. It involves empathy, ideation, iteration, and prototyping, ensuring that every design decision aligns with a larger purpose.

Applying the black-and-white test can actually enhance your application of color once you get to that stage.