Sitting at my desk, surrounded by post-it notes, motivational cards, and my fav little Funko Pop from a dear friend, I can't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude as I reflect on 2023. It's been a transformative year at Acton Circle, marked by growth, creativity, and resilience.

Our 2023 has been filled with challenges turned into opportunities — from brainstorming sessions to final touches.

Here's a rundown of some of our most fun and impactful projects from this year.

Featured projects

Planet Women's Annual Report

For Planet Women, we took their environmental advocacy initiatives and transformed them into a clear and compelling annual report. Our focus was on making their message accessible, using design to highlight their work in empowering women and impacting communities. We created a digital and print report that showcased their achievements and positioned them to connect with their audience closely, ensuring their impactful work was both seen and understood.

Good Filling's Dispensing Machine Decals

With Good Filling, our mission was to make sustainability look good. We redesigned the decals for their soap and coffee dispensing machines, balancing luxury and eco-friendliness. Our designs were not just about aesthetics; they communicated the brand's core message of waste reduction in an intuitive and appealing way to consumers, enhancing Good Filling's presence in upscale locations.

Making Waves Academy Mural

In collaboration with Making Waves Academy, we designed a large-scale mural that was more than just decoration; it told the story of the academy and its values. Integrating images of graduates and faculty, we created a visual narrative that resonated with the academy's ethos. This mural became a source of inspiration and pride on campus, reflecting our ability to merge creative design with educational themes.

Reflecting on the past year at Acton Circle, I see that our highlighted projects with Planet Women, Good Filling, and Making Waves Academy pushed us to think outside the box, innovate, and make a difference through our designs.

Each project was a lesson in how design can inspire and drive change.

Industries/Sectors Served in 2023

We were fortunate to collaborate with clients in a variety of sectors this year. 

Mental Health: We've supported organizations focused on public health and  advocacy, creating designs that emphasize the importance of mental health and wellness. 

Education: Our work with educational nonprofits has been geared towards highlighting the value of learning and access to education.

Environment and Conservation: Collaborating with groups dedicated to environmental conservation, we've contributed to projects on sustainable development, wildlife protection, and climate action.

Philanthropy and Foundations: We've supported grant-making bodies and foundations in their mission to fund various causes and initiatives.

Public and Societal Benefit: Working with nonprofits focused on societal benefits, our designs have aided in policy research and community-building efforts.

We look forward to continuing to help clients make a tangible impact within these sectors as we move into 2024.

Most Memorable Lessons!

As we reflect on this year, it's clear that we learned a lot.

First, the importance of adaptability. Each project came with its unique challenges, and being flexible in our approach was key to our success.

Second the power of specialization. The more we learned about each project, the more we realized the importance of honing our skills. In 2024, we will continue focusing on specialization, particularly in report design.

Big News for 2024

As we head into 2024, I'm super excited to offer our report design expertise. Our mission is more clear than ever! We want to be the best at what we do, which means going deep, not wide. We want to deliver designs that aren't just visually appealing but also meaningful and effective.

First up, we're zeroing in on partnering with more nonprofits and foundations. 

Tweaking Our Secret Sauce: Our Recipe for Better Results

Growth is great, but it sure comes with its own set of challenges. We've taken a good, hard look at where we can do better. For starters, we're revamping how we do our design reviews. The goal? Make it super easy for our clients to review and give feedback on files. It's all about streamlining the process while keeping our standards sky-high.

So, that's the sneak peak for 2024. We're all about growing, improving, and delivering heartfelt design work that makes a real difference. Let's make 2024 creative, collaborative, and purposeful. It's only up from here!

Want to learn more about our new signature annual/impact report design service? 

Our reports do more than just present data; they inspire action, build trust, and express your vision. The goal is to tell your organization's story, capturing its impact, accomplishments, and financial health.

It's not just about design, it's about weaving a story that stirs emotions and unites people around your mission.

From initial concepts to the final design, we're with you every step of the way.

Ready to make a difference with your report? Start here.

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