Design for social good is something I’ve been totally and completely obsessed with since Maria Rogal took us to Mexico in 2009 to work with artisans there. There is so much good design out there, but so much of it is used to sell crap products that kill people- like cigarettes. See this post and this one.

So I decided I would take it upon myself to work on an infographic for Kiva.org. For those of you who are new to this organization, it is an incredible resource for business owners all around the world. In its simplest form, it is this:

A non-profit organization designed to alleviate poverty through microfinance loans. How, you ask? Well…

1. You lend $25 (or any amount greater) to the entrepreneur/group of entrepreneurs of your choice.
2. The entrepreneur receives the money (after the loan amount is reached) and uses it to start their own business.
3. The money is paid back and you get all of it returned to your online account. You can either take the money back, reloan the money, or donate it to Kiva operations costs.

Brilliant, right?! Why didn’t I come up with that? So far I’ve invested in a group of women in Puebla, Mexico who make and sell stuffed animals (who have completely repaid their loan) and a man named Charles in Naivasha, Kenya who wants to start his own taxi service. Go check it out! Browse some profiles, get inspired, and lend some money. You’ll get it back or be able to reinvest it in others again and again!

So I decided to attempt an infographic that explains this process in visual terms. Any and all feedback is appreciated, so please…take a look and see what you think.

yours trulies

OK, so I know its been way too long since Hatchet has posted on the B-Log, and for that I am quite ashamed. I figured since we have been ignoring the blog, I should probably let you know what we HAVE been doing lately. Well, we have been working like little lumberelves. Its a dang workshop over here. Like my Dad constantly reminds us, it is never a bad thing to be busy these days, and for that we are incredibly lucky, blessed, and thankful.

OK, so this is what Hatchets got going now…

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Yeah, we know we have been ignoring the blog. Well its with good reason. This holiday season your favorite two Central Florida graphic designers got engaged! Don’t for a second either think we are not going to design the snot out of this wedding either. We already had a photo shoot for our save the date and found a venue and are currently in production on our wedding website. Watch your back, loads of matrimonial design coming at you!

Thanks to all our family and friends who have been supportive of us! Especially those in my wake as I was planning to propose and acting “extra spazzy” according to one source†.

†John Slavens | Father-in-law to be

I know…its been a while since I’ve posted. I feel like I read posts with this tone often, where the author of the blog lays down his or her extreme guilt for ignoring even the most loyal of readers, however many or few that may be. So, I’m not going to focus on the past, whats done is done.  I would like to dedicate this post to a certain Senor y Senora Trace- high school sweethearts who just recently tied the knot, and were kind enough to let the riff raff in.

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One of Hatchet’s best friends and World’s Greatest Print Reps, Kathy Paiva,  has started her own cookie company with the visual aid of yours truly (well…mostly Morgan, and a hell of a job she has done! It’s one of my favorite things she has put into the world). Check out Kathy’s site to find out when and where she will be appearing to try some of these amazing baked goods. I personally am a cookie-man myself when it comes to sweets and Kathy’s get my distinguished endorsement 100%! We are very proud of our client and good friend.

Where the heck has hatchet been all these month!? Up to our eyeballs in work that’s where! We have been wrapping up a number of projects and have many more on the horizon. We would like to thank all our faithful readers who stick with us even when we neglect them for a month at a time (I am looking at you J Rizz!). Regardless, here we are again.

Hatchet was fortunate enough to work with entrepreneur Dave Young, on his latest foray into sports equipment. We give you… The Air Fanatic Wakeboard Training Trampoline! Tired of Not being able to practice unless there is a driver? Too cold to get in the water? Not able to get enough reps in to really learn that new triple frontside fakie raley? Fret no more! The Air Fanatic is an all weather, solo training system designed to make you so comfortable in the air you would think you were a pelican.

We had a blast working on the identity and site and hope you guys would pop over for a visit. Holler at you soon.

Special stuff on this one ladies and lumbergents! While on our cross country trip this summer we visited Morgan’s Nana’s cabin in the wonderful Fishtail Montana. We made loads of new friends and had awesome adventures. While prowling around on the cabin property I checked out the garage… It was a virtual treasure trove of awesome looking tools. With hungry eyes I snatched em up to immortalize them on the blog. I conferred with Nan and some of these tools belonged to her father, Bopo (dating them back to nearly 1940!). Look at how sturdy all the hatchets are. Check the awesome leafy embellishments on the saws. Behold the magnificent patina nearly 70 years has put on the tools. Get this sucker quick for yer’ desktop. By special request: room for your icons on the right! (You are welcome Mr. Rockwood)

Download the desktop here:

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• 1920×1200

Hello, long lost friends! David and I have been having a GRAND time seeing the sights in Montana and Seattle…here are the first few days in a nutshell.

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The lumberfolk here at Hatchet Design LLC have decided to take their shop on the road and sow their wild oats on the great plains, tall mountains, and frigid Pacific Oceans of this fair country. We have embarked on a two and a half week excursion into the heartland and out to the opposite coast of our fine shop, working, seeing sights, and experiencing new things to keep us fresh. With an itinerary spanning the entire North American Continent we are sure to encounter many new things and cool ideas. We will post photos and inspiration from the journey here on our blog. STAY TUNED

Here is a little sneak peek at some fresh roasted branding from your very own Lumber-people at hatchet design. Website Launch is happening very soon along with some more collateral coming down the pipe at light speed! Keep your eyes peeled on the horizon for more…