Articles & Resources
7 Mistakes Museums Make with Exhibit Branding (and How to Avoid Them)
Exhibit branding is more than logos or wall colors — it shapes visitor experience, donor trust, and a museum’s legacy. This guide reveals 7 common mistakes museums make with exhibit branding, from starting too late to inconsistent donor recognition, and how to avoid them. Learn how thoughtful museum design, catalogs, and cohesive branding elevate exhibits into lasting experiences.
Why Annual Report Design Matters More Than You Think
Annual report design is more than decoration—it’s a tool for credibility, donor trust, and lasting impact. Discover why clean layouts, consistent branding, and balanced storytelling matter more than you think. Learn how professional design transforms reports from compliance documents into fundraising and advocacy tools that inspire donors, build confidence, and create legacy.
Annual Report Design Trends for 2025 (and How to Use Them Wisely)
Discover the top annual report design trends for 2025 and how to use them wisely. From ultra-modern corporate styles to handcrafted artwork, playful storytelling, accessible digital-first layouts, and multi-channel infographics—learn how nonprofits and associations can design reports that inspire donors, build trust, and elevate fundraising impact.
Exhibit Catalog Timelines Every Museum Should Know
Exhibit catalogs are powerful donor tools and lasting records of exhibitions — but they take longer than most museums expect. Learn the key exhibit catalog timelines every museum should plan for, from photography and board approvals to color accuracy and print production. Avoid costly rush fees and missed impact with smart planning and expert design support.
The Lasting Legacy of Print in a Digital World
In a digital-first world, print annual reports remain powerful trust-builders. Discover why printed reports create permanence, credibility, and legacy that PDFs cannot. Learn how design transforms print into keepsakes donors keep, share, and remember. Explore how balancing print with digital extends reach while reinforcing your mission’s impact and long-term credibility.
From DIY to Donor-Ready: Why Professional Annual Report Design Builds Trust
DIY annual reports may check the box, but poor design erodes credibility. Discover why professional annual report design builds donor trust through clear branding, polished layouts, ADA compliance, and repurposable visuals. Learn how nonprofits can transform reports into fundraising tools that inspire confidence and showcase mission impact.
How Small Museum Teams Can Create Big Impact with Exhibit Branding
Small museum teams can achieve big impact with smart exhibit branding. Learn strategies to overcome limited staff, tight budgets, and short timelines by focusing on storytelling, key collateral, and cohesive design. Discover how professional museum branding builds donor trust, extends exhibit reach, and creates memorable visitor experiences — even with a lean team.
How Clean, Compelling Annual Reports Help Win Crucial Funding
Clean, compelling annual reports build donor trust and unlock funding. Discover how professional design creates clarity, credibility, and emotional impact. From storytelling and branding to accessibility and polished layouts, learn why design is a funding strategy that inspires confidence and shows supporters your mission is worth investing in.
Why Every Exhibit Needs a Catalog to Document Its Legacy
Every exhibit ends, but a catalog preserves its legacy. Discover why exhibit catalogs are essential museum tools that document art, stories, and scholarship while honoring donors. From simple brochures to collectible books, catalogs extend impact beyond closing day, engage visitors and researchers, and provide lasting recognition that keeps exhibitions alive for years.
The #1 Reason Exhibit Branding Projects Fall Behind (and How to Fix It)
Exhibit branding projects rarely fall behind because museums start late — delays come from approvals, photography, and print production. Learn the #1 reason timelines slip and how to fix it with early planning, expert design support, and careful catalog production. Discover how strong exhibit branding protects donor experience and ensures lasting impact
How to Write a Strong Annual Report Design Brief
A strong annual report design brief is the key to saving time, reducing revisions, and producing a polished, donor-ready publication. Learn the essential elements every brief should include—from purpose, audience, and key messages to brand guidelines, budget, and timelines—and avoid costly mistakes. Set your nonprofit up for success with clarity, alignment, and impactful design.
Behind the Scenes: Designing a Museum Exhibit Catalog from Concept to Press
Go behind the scenes of museum catalog design with the Audubon’s Birds of Florida catalog for MOAS. This case study reveals how exhibit catalogs are crafted — from branding to book design, typesetting, and press checks. Discover how thoughtful publication design preserves history, delights visitors, and creates lasting donor impact through museum-quality catalogs.
Outsourcing Annual Report Design: How to Save Time and Protect Your Team From Burnout
Outsourcing annual report design saves time, prevents staff burnout, and ensures polished, donor-ready publications. Discover how professional design boosts credibility, balances storytelling with data, delivers ADA-compliant files, and keeps nonprofits on schedule. Learn why outsourcing is a funding strategy that protects your team and inspires donor confidence.
Preserving Your Exhibit’s Impact Beyond the Closing Date
Exhibit impact shouldn’t end on closing day. Learn how catalogs, donor recognition, and digital tools preserve exhibitions beyond the gallery. Discover strategies museums use to extend legacy, engage donors, and inspire future visitors. From professional exhibit catalogs to video archives, see how thoughtful branding keeps exhibitions alive long after the doors close.
Budget-Friendly Strategies for Exhibit Catalog Production
Exhibit catalogs impress donors, extend exhibitions, and preserve legacy — but they don’t have to break the budget. Learn how smart planning, strategic design, and cost-conscious choices in photography, printing, and finishes can create high-quality museum catalogs that inspire donors, avoid rush fees, and balance prestige with savings.
The 7 Most Common Annual Report Design Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid the 7 most common annual report design mistakes that weaken credibility and cost nonprofits donor trust. Learn how to prevent rushed layouts, text-heavy pages, inconsistent branding, weak photography, accessibility gaps, print errors, and data overload. Discover practical tips to create professional, polished reports that inspire confidence and showcase mission impact.
Why Catalogs Are One of the Most Powerful Donor Engagement Tools
Exhibit catalogs are more than books — they’re powerful donor engagement tools. Discover how museum catalog design creates pride, legacy, and recognition by turning exhibitions into lasting keepsakes. Learn why catalogs matter for donor relationships, how they extend impact beyond the gallery, and what makes them one of the most effective tools for lasting donor connection.
The Anatomy of a Great Annual Report Cover
Your annual report cover is more than a first page—it’s a trust-building tool that sets the tone for your entire publication. Discover the key elements of a great cover, from clean design and engaging visuals to special print effects that spark curiosity. Learn common mistakes to avoid and how strong covers inspire donors, strengthen credibility, and guide the full report design.
The Catalog Pitfalls That Cost Museums Time and Donors
Exhibit catalogs preserve legacy and inspire donors — but common pitfalls can cost museums time, money, and relationships. Learn the top mistakes, from late starts to rushed photography and overlooked donor recognition, and how to avoid them. Discover how thoughtful museum catalog design creates lasting keepsakes that engage visitors and honor donor support.
Designing Exhibit Collateral That Speaks to Donors and Visitors Alike
Exhibit collateral must impress donors and engage visitors — but many museums design for only one audience. Learn how to balance storytelling, branding, and design quality to create catalogs, signage, and materials that inspire the public while honoring donor legacy. See strategies and case studies that show how museum collateral can elevate exhibits.