One trend in nonprofit web design is the use of the full width slideshow tool that cycles through current campaigns, initiatives or issues that need to be highlighted. It’s extremely relevant, but also something that becomes a challenge for a designer to think of better ways to make that area not only stand out but also think creatively to come up with different ways to navigate through that information. I use it on my website and I realize that it can become stale and overlooked when the content doesn’t change or even if it’s not fun to use.

Going back to some new ventures, I’m in the process of working on a tshirt business. What? Why? Tshirts? The idea had been brewing over the summer and after I returned from Haiti, I decided that I needed to make it a reality. There are so many issues in the world that are overlooked or forgotten. Even something as devastating as the earthquake in Haiti which occurred a year ago is a distant memory. The plan was to come up with a tshirt each month, but I’ve decided to start with 3-5 shirts and build from there. At the moment, I’m still researching silkscreen companies and also the possibility of partnering with nonprofits to donate proceeds to their cause but my main focus initially is coming up with tshirt designs to purchase and educate the buyer about the cause and ways to make a difference either by volunteering, spreading the word or donating. The site will be at http://theboringmachine.com. Please sign up and I’ll let you know when it launches.

Another project I’m working on that will probably come later down the road is connecting nonprofits with designers for small gigs. I recognize that many nonprofits don’t have in-house designers and might just need a designer or developer to assist with quick one off gigs. More info as that project evolves. Until then, work has been busy and we’re ramping up for the end of the year rush.

Regarding this NGO, they’re about being nimble, assessing needs and using sustainable practices to fill gaps that a lot of the larger NGOs can’t provide or can’t provide quickly. One surprising thing I noticed is how many larger NGOs still have a presence in Haiti and especially the UN which are policing the city of Port-au-Prince. In a span of 15 minutes on a motorcycle, every minute or so, I’d see a UN vehicle (car, tank, truck and other types of vehicles) on the road. What are they doing besides driving around?

On my last full day in Haiti, I took a tour of the city and noticed zero semblance of any physical reconstruction. The dome of the Presidential Palace is still collapsed, the main cathedral still looked like it did when the earthquake hit. Haiti has been forgotten by the rest of the world and I wondered why the government hadn’t made an effort to do more to give their people hope. Even if health and sanitation may be the first issues to tackle, why are some of their landmark buildings still left in disrepair?

About the organization and the rebranding process, being in a developing country with frequent blackouts and poor infrastructure, working at the base really was a necessity in getting work done efficiently. I’m back in Seattle; things are moving a bit slower, but the groundwork has been established and I’m hoping that with new print materials and a new website, this organization can really use those materials to get people to understand what NGOs are doing in Haiti and how the average person can help. One of the challenges of donating to a nonprofit is knowing where your donation is going. I believe in this org and its mission and hope that when we launch in the next month or so that what I’ve done for them has a ripple effect not just for private donors, but in allowing them to get grant money from foundations that see the legitimacy, the need and the mission of this organization.

Over the last year, I’ve learned more about how finding the right people is so important to my business. And it’s not easy. It’s not necessarily design or development talent that I’ve had to look for (but of course this is really important), but finding trustworthy people who are flexible to working with hectic schedules that nonprofits often have. And working within a limited budget at times is another topic in itself.

Working with nonprofits can also be challenging when it comes to the process. It’s rewarding work, but due to the nature of every-changing issues, sometimes going in with a mentality that change is inevitable is necessary. Being flexible is key and designing something that can easily be changed becomes intuitive.

This site is the culmination of years of work and a collaborative effort with the Yippa team. It is a site that’s still evolving and because of that I think we’re ready to go live this week. Projects will be added and removed, content will be updated, but I think the new website presents more depth to our process, showcases the work better and uses some new fancy techniques that are supported by modern browsers.

I will be writing more about some of the projects we’ve worked on recently and about my upcoming trip to Haiti to help an awesome relief organization with a complete rebrand. Until then, we’ll be working out some minor quirks, working on client projects and taking on new work as usual. Yippa has changed, but the way I’ve been working with my clients will stay the same.