As a kid, Anuja won prizes for handwriting and drawing, and decided to study biology so she could draw organs. Today, Anuja works in graphic design and is globetrotter who has donated 200 hours of pro bono service.
I think good graphic design is an expensive necessity.
As a designer, it hurts me tremendously to see badly set type, horrible logos, and awful layouts used by certain organizations who stand for a good cause but cannot afford to hire and access good designers and design resources. Pro bono is a great way to connect people in need to those who can help.
When I do pro bono, I bring with me over eight years of design and art direction experience, an enthusiastic approach to problem solving, and the drive to always create something different that works.
A pro bono engagement I’m particularly proud of is my first pro bono project where we designed a visual identity for a nonprofit dance organization in Brooklyn called Dancewave. It’s rare to have the client completely sold on one of the three designs, but Dancewave liked what we presented on the first shot. It’s been three years and the client still loves it because the design is working well for them. An unexpected outcome of my pro bono work was that I ended up getting hired by the client—I’m now the Design and Marketing Associate at Dancewave!
Always be a learner
One piece of great advice I’ve received is: Shed the chip off your shoulder and always be a learner. On my pro bono journey I hope to learn more about the nonprofit world and be able to find new ways to help through the skills that I have and that I plan to acquire. I’m looking for my next pro bono project opportunity, preferably in the arts or education sector. My favorite part of doing pro bono is meeting and working with new people each time!
We need more work that comes from the heart, than from the urge to fill our bank accounts. It pays off in different but the most wonderful ways!
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