PROJECT OVERVIEW
Plummer Youth Promise is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping foster children transition into safe, stable, and caring environments. Through residential programs, life skills education, and community engagement, Plummer works to improve outcomes for at-risk youth in state care.
The organization needed annual reports that could showcase both quantitative results and qualitative stories, while reflecting the heart of their mission, celebrating successes, and highlighting themes specific to each year.
THE CHALLENGE
Plummer Youth Promise wanted annual reports that could:
- Communicate organizational data in an engaging, visually clear way
- Highlight the emotional impact of the organization’s work through stories and imagery
- Reflect the organization’s values, optimism, and the sense of hope they offer youth
- Tie each year’s content to a unique theme while maintaining a cohesive visual system
The challenge was to create reports that balanced hard data, program outcomes, and human stories in a way that would resonate with donors, partners, and the broader community.
THE APPROACH
The design approach focused on storytelling, clarity, and brand alignment:
- Developing layouts that organize complex information while emphasizing impact and heart
- Using shapes, color, and typography to highlight key concepts and guide the reader’s eye
- Incorporating imagery and infographics to balance data with human stories
- Applying annual themes to visually differentiate each report while maintaining consistency with the Plummer brand
Every element — from color selection to corner rounding — was carefully considered to reflect Plummer’s mission and approachable personality.
THE SOLUTION
The final reports employed multiple design strategies to communicate both impact and empathy:
- Building Block Concept: Squares and rectangles were used to highlight key information and keywords, with rounded corners referencing the curves in Plummer’s logo and adding visual softness
- Color Strategy: Each report spread featured a primary color tied to the keywords, while the organization’s vibrant palette reinforced optimism, energy, and hope
- Storytelling: Reports spotlighted youth narratives, including reunifications and new families, making the data feel personal and meaningful
- Infographics & Data Visualization: Complex data around organizational tactics, leadership, and mission was presented in clear, digestible visual formats
- Thematic Execution: One report interpreted the “new day” theme with sun and rays graphics on the cover, extending these textures throughout the spreads; another highlighted the Plummer team with photography and yellow info-bubbles showcasing their impact
This approach created a visual system that could adapt to yearly themes while maintaining cohesion, vibrancy, and warmth.
SCOPE OF PROJECT
The project included:
- Annual Reports Concept & Design
THE IMPACT
The annual reports provide Plummer Youth Promise with:
- Visually engaging tools that balance data, stories, and mission-driven content
- A design system that reinforces the organization’s optimism, vibrancy, and approachable identity
- Clear, accessible presentation of information for donors, partners, and the community
- Annual reports that celebrate the organization’s work and the youth they support while remaining flexible for yearly themes
With this foundation, Plummer Youth Promise can consistently produce reports that reflect both their impact and their heart-driven mission.