Nonprofit Tech and Design Trends for 2015Toronto Net Tuesday

January 13th, 2014

This is not about the latest, greatest, cutting edge tech

trends in 2015

This is about trends that will impact your

nonprofit in 2015

Tech Trend #1Coding becoming

common knowledge

Reading and writing basic markup languages are no longer held solely by programmers & developers.

What is it?

Markup languages

Markup languages are used to control the presentation

and structure of the content

*a word on JavaScript

Programming languages

Programming languages are used to create instructions for

a machine to execute & automate tasks

VS

What is it?

HTML defines content

What is it?

CSS defines presentation

JavaScript defines behaviour

Images and definition courtesy of Ladies Learning Code

Why is this important?

You’ll need it.

More programs are becoming dependant on users having this knowledge (CMS,

CRM)

Save time & money

No need to hire experts/consultants to fix a relatively easy job.

It will become a common asset

Much like experience in using MS Office is now a requirement to work in an office

<code>

Resources

CodeAcademy.com Code.org/learn LadiesLearningCode.com

Tech Trend #2More interest in

hybrid cloud models

Storing sensitive information on an internal server and non-sensitive information on the cloud.

What is it?

Why is this important?

Keep sensitive data in-house and in Canada

Take advantage of cloud computing benefits

Resources

What is the hybrid cloud and how can it help my organization?

techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog/what-is-a-hybrid-cloud-and-how-can-it-help-my-

nonprofit-organization

Canadian Privacy Law, Cloud Computing and How it Applies to

Nonprofits

techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog/cloud_privacy_law

Tech Trend #3More emphasis on

your (true) owned media

Web property that your organization controls and is unique to your brand (website, publications, emails)*.

*Wait, what about social media?

What is it?

ENEWSLETTER

What is it?

Owned media

True owned media is web property that you create and

control. You control what data is being collected (input) and

exported (output).

Earned & Paid Media

Earned media is when someone uses their web property to promote you. Paid media is when you

leverage a 3rd party channel to promote your media.

VS

Why is this important?

CASL changes the game

Social media platforms will continue to change their rules,

for better or for worse

Resources

What nonprofits need to know about CASL

techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog/CASL

Litmus.com/resources

Go-to resource for email marketing

Idealware.org

idealware.org/reports/implementing-new-website-

planning-your-approach

Tech Trend #4Advanced

data analytics

Collecting data has never been easier. Emphasis is now on using & interpreting data to inform communications and strategies.

What is it?

Why is this important?

Targeted communications

Program measurement and

performance

Better forecasting

Resources

Zoho Reports

Zoho.com/reports

Jane vs Tierney: Dashboard Tool Challenge

techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog/jane-vs-tierney/dashboard-challenge

Tech Trend #5Beacon based

technology

A wireless sensor network that can be used for monitoring, tracking and routing.

What is it?

What about Wi-Fi?

Specs Bluetooth Wi-Fi

Frequency 2.4 GHz Up to 5 GHz

Cost Low High

Range 5-30 meters32 meters indoors and 95

meters outdoors

HardwareBluetooth adaptor in

devices

Wireless adaptors in devices, wireless routers and/or wireless

access points

Power consumption Low High

Ease of use Fairly simpleMore complex (hardware and

software requires configuration)

Source: http://www.diffen.com/difference/Bluetooth_vs_Wifi

Why is this important?

Advanced supporter engagement

Be creative with resource tracking (ie. iPad and tablet tracking)

Resources

Topi.comTopi is a free mobile networking

app for events and offers beacons (iOS, Android compatible)

Estimote.comEstimote offers beacons and

stickers compatible with iOS and Android devices

Design Trend #1Infinite scrolling

Content on a webpage are loaded as you scroll (no pagination).

What is it?

Why is this important?

This highly trendy function may be well-suited for your purposes, but know the advantages and disadvantages before you implement.

Mobile friendly

Manage large amounts of data

Keeps people engaged

No footer

Overwhelming & exhaustive data

Loss of control (UX)

Resources

Infinite Scroll Plugin for WordPress

wordpress.org/plugins/infinite-scroll

Google’s “Infinite scroll search-friendly recommendations”

googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.ca/2014/02/infinite-scroll-search-friendly.html

Design Trend #2Minimal & clean

design is in

A style for designing user interfaces (UI) that emphasizes simple elements, white space and flat colours.

What is it?

FLAT & SEMI-FLAT DESIGN SKEUOMORPHIC DESIGN

Why is this important?

Better user experience (UX)

Focus your call-to-actions

Attract & maintain certain audiences

About

Donate

Contact

Example: Comparing two tech websites

Example: Comparing two tech websites

Resources

FreebiesBug.com Canva.com

Design Trend #3Being intentionalabout typefaces

Embracing typography, the art and technique of arranging typefaces (ie., fonts) in order to make text more appealing, and the abandonment of “default” typefaces.

What is it?

FONTFACE: PROXIMA NOVATYPOGRAPHY

Why is this important?

Very trendy (appeals to younger generation &

certain audiences)

A good design approach for sectors that don’t have an inherent “icon”/”image”

Resources

FontSquirrel.com Google.com/Fonts

Design Trend #4Death to the “stock” photo

Images and photos that are typically purchased by organizations for use in publications. Infamously known for looking “staged”.

What is it?

Why is this important?

Stock photos appear insincere and chances are the same image is used by another charity. Supporters much prefer real photos and real stories.

See it in action

Toronto Net TuesdayConnect, chat and learn. Learn more at

www.techsoupcanada.ca

Toronto NetTuesdayConnect, chat and learn.

Learn more at www.techsoupcanada.ca

See it in action

Resources

StartUpStockPhotos.comLifeOfPix.comPexels.com

Design Trend #5Embedding digital

storytelling everywhere

Incorporating digital storytelling (the combination of different media elements to tell a story) in mediums/channels outside of the norm (video).

What is it?

ANNUAL AND RESEARCH REPORTS

Why is this important?

Great for branding Resonate more with supporters

Stand out from the crowd

Your nonprofit

Resources

Intro to Digital Storytellingyoutube.com/watch?v=kfjskBVGvVs

Storymaking Resourcestechsoup.org/community/community-

initiatives/storymakers-resources

What are your thoughtson these trends?