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A Disruptive Rocket-Powered Brand

This case study illustrates what it takes to develop and launch a brand that is correctly positioned knowing that the whole marketplace is about to turn upside-down.

Breaking-free from tradition

David Hughes is a Hertfordshire-based business lawyer; he had become dissatisfied with the way that the law was sold to small business owners particularly in the face of what's being referred to as 'Tesco Law'. David felt unable to wait for the traditional law firm to change and so de-regulated from his position in a prestigious regional law firm to develop a 21st century law firm and become a disruptive presence in the legal marketplace.

A key part of the challenge for David was building a business that, in the climate of Tesco Law, would be able to compete an the high street with new-entrant brands such as Quality Solicitors. Looking to the US, David recognised what a legal comparison website business called Rocket Lawyer had been able to achieve and wanted to draw inspiration for his business brand from this site.

From day one Sub@omic knew this brand needed to have more than a touch of Iron Man about it. David and Steve Whiting discussed how Canopy Law would present itself as being different, David's pitch had to be more than the typical lawyers one-dimensional pitch of "Hello, I'm a lawyer and I practice the law".

David's answer was that his website should rely heavily upon video as it was so far removed from the traditional way that lawyers present themselves, furthermore, David felt video was a great way of getting across complex legal concepts to business owners. So this idea of a on online video channel came into being.

David picks-up the story:

"The idea of providing business law services via a web interface was a seedling when I first started talking to Sub@omic about building the website. It wasn't even called Canopy Law at that time. It was "Luton's Business Lawyer". Not as catchy!

As the idea for the website developed the Canopy Law name eventually came from Steve - the concept was a protective law shield above the business and a supportive safety net underneath it to protect the business owners from the perils of business law. It took a while to grow on me, but now seems like such a logical and natural fit. Steve saw the potential straight away.

Steve also took care of the branding of the new name. Steve created a logo and colour combination that stood out from the crowd and reinforced the values I had set for the business of being authoritative but approachable and a bit different. I have had many positive comments on the branding - in fact, I didn't realise just how important branding can be to a business.

From a base of strong branding, we started building the detailed plan for the web-interface together. The project evolved from a "find a solicitor" service to a document provision club, to a website that reviews business law resources on the web and curates information. The one constant in this evolving business model is that visibility on Google is critical to success and, for that, I was confident that Sub@omic's expertise would deliver results.

It was the expert consultancy, combined with Steve's design strengths (I'm always proud to pull out my business card!) and technical know-how that make me feel so confident about the prospects for the new website; Steve's expertise and strengths were a not insignificant factor in me feeling comfortable leaving Pictons to set up a web-based law business. So, thank you!"

More than just a website

This case study illustrates just what's possible when a client and design business work closely and openly together. The project has involved business consultancy, identity, web design and print management.

 
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Sub@omic Web

Web Design

Sub@omic is an independent web consultancy developing cognitive designer websites, based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK