Volunteer work benefits a range of educational, environmental, professional development, and philanthropic non-profits in the U.S. and abroad
JIll B Gilbert recently reached a milestone: she has provided over 800 hours of volunteer work, saving non-profit organizations more than $USD 100,000. And she’s not slowing down—currently working on her next project!
Gilbert provided marketing communications, graphic design, and web design services on two dozen projects—many were multiple projects for the same client. The projects ranged from a highly-customized presentation for a sister organization to a U.S. National Park, to branding and logo design for childhood education and Head Start programs and a new high school, to custom presentations and brand guidelines for healthcare organizations.
Gilbert began working with volunteer matching organization Catchafire in 2021, during the height of the pandemic. Technology advances in the past 5 years made it possible to complete all of this volunteer work remotely—even for clients in the Houston area—with client meetings via Zoom or Google Meetings. She provided project deliverables in electronic format, using Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Acrobat; Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Apple’s Keynote slide software.
Gilbert remarked, “I have enjoyed working on projects with these non-profits. I am open to paid commissions and plan to continue volunteering marketing, graphic design, and web design services to worthy non-profits so they can spend their budgets to further their missions.”
You can read more about several of the pro bono projects in our blog.
"Jill is extremely organized and creative.
Her commitment to advancing causes is genuine and inspiring. Jill goes above and beyond! It was a pleasure working with her."
Rosa
Bridges to Science
"I highly recommend anyone to work with Jill. She has a wealth of
knowledge, is very kind, responsive, and did a wonderful job on our
visual brand guide."
Heather
Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics
"Jill knows design! She understands principles of good design and has in-depth knowledge of professional tools to make your designs look great!"
The top three graphic design deliverables my clients request are new or updated brands, brand guidelines, and custom presentation templates.
PowerPoint has been around for more than 35 years. It still rules the roost as the leading slide presentation tool, despite the emergence of tools like Google Slides, Keynote, ZOHO Show, Canva, and Prezi. Organizations large, mid-sized and small use it to communicate all sorts of messages–sometimes well done, and other times not so well done.
With hundreds of free and paid templates available, many of my clients request custom, branded slide templates. Why? Because custom templates do a better job of communicating your brand.
The Venture Mentoring Team | Custom, branded slide deck
Showcase your brand and ditch boring bullet slides
A custom template allows you to showcase your brand. Your brand is more than a logo; it is your company’s personality. Your brand is how others perceive, interact with, and build trust in your company.
Your organization’s personality really shines when you ditch a deck of boring “bullet” slides for a mix of text and graphics. Use a custom template to consistently communicate your brand. See the template above, created for The Venture Mentoring Team. This template fits the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and takes advantage of their logo style and colors. It is a complete package that truly changes how they can communicate from now on.
The Venture Mentoring Team Logo
Primo presentation pointers
Use the template throughout your organization for a consistent message.
Provide guidance on usage of your logo, color palette, typefaces, and fonts (bold, italics, regular, etc.).
Find a style that works for your organization, whether playful or serious, bold or subdued, geometric, minimal or corporate.
Use a single style for graphics and illustrations; don’t use cheap clip art with a first-rate template.
Provide a variety of infographics, photo, and text layouts for different purposes.
Make it easy for others to use the template, providing instructions and training as needed.
If online presentation tools don’t meet your needs, if you want more than the built-in templates that come with your software, or have trouble finding a template you like, then a custom template may be for you.
I have designed dozens (hundreds?) of templates for PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote (for Mac users). If you need a custom, branded presentation template and don’t have the know-how to do it yourself, then consult a pro!
The Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (WAFCC) is an advocate for the State’s ninety free & charitable clinics. The organization provides state advocacy, education opportunities, consulting services, and telehealth services to clinics. WAFCC fosters collaboration, networking, and resource-sharing. They selected Jill B Gilbert for two branding initiatives–brand guidelines and a custom presentation template consistent with these new guidelines.
Brand Guidelines
Brand guidelines are the rules an organization–large or small–follows to ensure their brand is consistent across various digital and print communications. These guidelines typically communicate the organization’s voice, style, logo, type, and colors.
They show the accepted use of the logo, any color variations, and placement, including very important “Do’s and Don’ts.” If an organization uses specific graphic styles, icons, or illustrations, the guidelines contain these, too.
Brand Guidelines are meant to be flexible, changing as the organization grows and changes. The WAFCC Brand Guidelines are a living document, soon to be updated with examples from the new slide presentation template.
Brand Guidelines | Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics
"I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE TO WORK WITH JILL. SHE HAS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE, IS VERY KIND, RESPONSIVE, AND DID A WONDERFUL JOB ON OUR VISUAL BRAND GUIDE."
Heather Ule
WAFCC
Presentation Template
The most common methods of communication are email, PowerPoint (/Google Slides/Keynote/Other) presentations, and social media.
Branding is important in slide presentations, because it sets the tone for your organization’s message. Consistent style and message are key!
Jill B Gilbert designed a template that was a great match for WAFCC’s message and style needs.
"This was my second project with WAFCC. I enjoyed working with Heather and building a relationship. We plan to work together on more projects in the future."
Custom slide template and presentation for The Justice Hub School
The Justice Hub School provides underserved youth in Houston’s Third Ward with academic and leadership skills to succeed in life. Jill B Gilbert was pleased to create a colorful new brand and a stylish custom presentation templates for this public charter school.
Our graphic design team created two templates aimed at different audiences–prospective donors and board members, and prospective students. Both templates employ Justice Hub’s new brand and color scheme. The image above shows the second, less formal, template on an iPad Pro.
I have a client that needs graphic design work for multiple brands, and wants all of their brands in a single portfolio. Their services generally target the same audience, and the audience can choose one or more services; these services do not compete with one another. My client seeks consistency in the way they portray the different services in digital and print media.
If your organization manages more than one brand, you have different options to manage them. Your branding strategy–key to your marketing strategy–depends on your target audience and customers.
Whether you already have several brands, or you anticipate new product or service lines, you can find a structure that works for your organization.
Individual Brands or Parent and Sub-Brands
Two options for managing multiple brands are:
a multi-brand strategy with individual brands for each product/service, and
a single, parent brand with multiple sub-brands.
If the products or services aim to fulfill different purposes or have different visions, you may want to to separate your brands. If your products or services reflect an overarching vision or purpose, you might choose the parent/sub-brand option.
Your company’s vision, values, customers, and market position can guide your choice of options.
Who are your customer segments?
Do your products/services target vastly different segments?
Do these differing segments want to be associated with one another?
If you plan a new product/service, does it reflect your existing brand’s deeper purpose and vision, or does it reflect a new purpose and vision?
Examples
Multi-brand strategy
Procter & Gamble uses a multi-brand strategy, with individual brands for each product line. Some of their product lines include Tide, Gain, Crest, Pampers, Bounty, Swiffer, Oral B, and Gillette. Some of their products compete with each other, for example, Tide and Gain, but Procter & Gamble gets a piece of the laundry market share from both products, aimed at different consumers.
Parent brand and sub-brand strategy
Adobe has multiple products under a single brand. Creative Cloud, their main product line, includes Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, and more. Adobe markets Creative Cloud to very different audiences, and allows individual users and teams to select the apps that best meet their graphic design, photography, and other creative needs.
Adobe Creative Cloud includes over 20 desktop and mobile apps
In closing, if your organization manages several brands, make sure that you have a clear strategy. And make sure to document this strategy and also provide clear brand guidelines so you can communicate consistently and clearly with your target audience.
Creating a new or updated website to reflect your organization’s identity takes a bit of thought and planning.
Your website is an important part of your organization’s identity. A well-designed website reflects well on your organization, and a poorly-designed website can damage your reputation. I know this is hard, but spend time planning your website before you build it. Understand your audience and design your site accordingly. Make the site attractive and easy to navigate.
Whether you plan to redesign your website or are in the enviable position of designing a new website from scratch, take the time to find answers to the following questions to set your website project up for success. You will be glad you did!
Purpose
WHO is your target audience?
HOW will your website serve that audience?
WHAT is the compelling marketing message that is tailored to your audience?
WHAT problem does your website solve for each type of person in your audience?
WHAT is the site’s purpose, such as informational, e-commerce, blog, portfolio, news, or a combination of several purposes?
Content
What is the clearly defined goal for each page on your website?
Is your Home/Welcome page compelling?
Does your About page describe the problems that you solve in simple and easy-to-understand terms?
Is your web copy geared to your target audience, clear, easy to understand, and free of jargon?
Do you have a landing page that you can use to collect email addresses and create email subscriptions?
Do you have effective Calls to Action that lead your visitors to a desired action?
What legal content do you need, such as Terms of Use, Privacy, Copyright, and/or other statements?
Design
Is your website “look and feel” cohesive, and consistent with your company’s branding and color standards?
Is your website’s navigation clear and easy to use?
Is the site typography easy to read (fonts, type size, type hierarchy, headings, color and contrast)?
Do you use high quality graphics and images on your website?
Do your fonts and images load quickly?
What is your preferred technical platform, e.g., as HTML + CSS, or a Content Management System like WordPress, Wix, or other?
Is your website responsive—readable on mobile, tablet, laptop, and large screen devices?
Can you maintain and update your website in-house, or do you need an outside specialist?
Marketing Goals and Objectives
What business results you expect from your website?
How do you plan to drive traffic and visitors to your website?
What system do you have in place to track visitor behavior and interactions on your site?
How will your organization generate and capture website leads?
Are your site and any blog posts optimized for search engines?
Security and Backups
What systems will be in place to protect your site from hackers?
What tools or systems are needed to address website crashes and spam?
What user and password security measures will your site have?
What is your backup and recovery plan, including on-site and offsite storage?
What is your periodic site audit plan?
Granted, 30 questions is a lot to answer—but take the time to find answers to every question if you want a website that addresses the needs of your audience and yields business results. If you are not sure how to proceed with your website design and build, please consult a professional that understands the technical, marketing, and business aspects of website creation. You will be glad you did!
Custom, branded presentation template for Mississippi Park Connection
Mississippi Park Connection needed a custom, branded presentation template to convey its mission and message. They selected Jill B Gilbert to design the template. “The challenge was to understand Mississippi Park Connection’s needs, and find a style to complement the organization’s three pillars—habitat restoration and tree planting; paddling the Mississippi River; and youth education,” says Gilbert. MPC is thrilled with the presentation template, which includes over twenty customized illustrations that will appeal to diverse audiences, from prospective board members to volunteers and Park visitors of all ages. Read more about the project here.
“Jill was wonderful to work with. She responded positively to our initial feedback on a design and came back with an update that accurately met our needs and vision while incorporating her professional expertise in PowerPoint and graphic design. She is prompt, communicates efficiently, and pushed the project along at times when I felt overwhelmed. We now have a well designed, branded, and functional PowerPoint presentation that will bring cohesiveness to all our presentations. Thank you Jill!”
–Callie Sacarelos, Communications and Marketing Manager, Mississippi Park Connection
Mississippi Park Connection is the nonprofit partner of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (U.S. National Park) and has headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the start of the river.
Jill B Gilbert is a graphic and web designer with years of experience creating impactful marketing communications for both digital and print platforms, for large corporations, small businesses, and non-profit organizations.
the nonprofit partner of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
A brand is how your customer or audience views your business. A brand includes your organization’s brandidentity—a logo and other assets used to convey your message; a brand strategy or blueprint; and brand marketing to spread your message via different digital, print, and word-of-mouth channels.
If you need a new logo, you can work with an in-house graphic designer or hire a freelancer. Follow the eight tips below for a greater chance of success.
1. Understand the "Why"
Why do you need a new brand? If you are just starting out, you may want to brand your products or services. Maybe you are launching a new product or service within an existing company. Perhaps you have a brand, but feel it is outdated, or it no longer reflects your organization’s mission, vision, and values. Do a majority of stakeholders share this need?
2. Understand the "What"
What do you want to accomplish with your new brand? What benefits do you expect, for example, the ability to reach larger audiences via new digital and print channels, greater market share, easier brand recognition, or other?
3. a brand is more than a logo
A brand is how your customer or audience views your business. A brand includes your organization’s brandidentity—a logo and other assets used to convey your message; a brand strategy or blueprint; and brand marketing to spread your message via different digital, print, and word-of-mouth channels.
4. Do Your Homework
Do your homework before working with the graphic designer. With graphic design projects, it’s easy to express what you don’t like, but not always so easy to express what you do like, and what you really need. Talk with your stakeholders to get a feel for their needs, wants, style, and color preferences. Do a little research and find 3-5 examples of brands that inspire you; be prepared to talk with the designer about how similar aesthetics might work for your organization.
5. Follow a Process
Creating a brand is a project that should follow a process. This process typically includes the following steps:
Study Client Brief
Research
Brainstorm
Sketch
Develop Concept
Revise
Deliver.
The designer should set expectations upfront regarding the project schedule and specific deliverables, such as the number of concepts and rounds of revisions.
6. CONSISTENCY COUNTS
You will use your brand in digital and print formats, maybe on signage, T-shirts, and more. Apply your brand consistently in multiple applications such as full color, all black on light backgrounds, and all white on dark backgrounds. Make sure that your brand looks great and reads well in different sizes, from an inch or two on a business card or letterhead, to a 12-foot banner at a trade show. You might need a horizontal layout on your web page or a large banner, a vertical layout on stationery and business cards, and an icon only for a website favicon.
7. Set Standards
If you do not have Brand Guidelines or a Visual Standards Guide, this is a good time to create one. Such a guidelines describe your organization’s official colors for print and web materials; your official logo/brand layouts and color combinations; logo/brand placement; and typography for web and other marketing communications. A brand–even when it consists only of letters or words–is artwork that must not be altered in any way, such as changing the aspect ratio, colors, or typography. Make sure that your staff is aware of the standards and their use.
BHK Child Development | Secondary Logo
BHK Child Development | Logomark
8. Protect Your Assets
A brand is one of your organization’s assets and becomes more valuable as it becomes widely used and recognized in the marketplace. Protect your brand like the valuable asset it is—stick to your Brand Guidelines/Visual Standards Guide—always! Add a trademark (™) or service mark (SM) symbol to your brand, and apply for registered trademark status (®) as appropriate.
Jill B Gilbert is pleased to be selected to refresh the logo and create a visual brand guide for BHK Child Development, Inc. This early childhood care and education non-profit serves three rural counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The new BHK logo incorporates a tree to symbolize children and growth and to reflect the natural surroundings in which many of the non-profit’s programs take place. The new color palette includes soothing blues and greens with dark gray.
Working with Jill on our visual brand guide was our first Catchafire project and it was a great experience. Jill's expertise, feedback, and consistent communication resulted in a product that we are very pleased with and excited to put into use.
Cheryl Mills
Executive Director, BHK Child Development Board, Inc.
Working with BHK Child Development was one of my first “fully remote” graphic design projects. Once I determined their needs and provided design concepts, they were responsive and provided clear and open feedback. I was happy to deliver a refreshed logo and a brand guide that will take their organization into the future. I enjoyed working with Cheryl and Marcy.
