Harholdt - Mediation and Law
Designing for Delicate Circumstances
Case Study
The Challenge
Crafting a brand for Harholdt Mediation and Law that subtly conveys trust, empathy, and authority without overshadowing the delicate circumstances often associated with mediation and law, particularly in divorce situations.
The Outcome
A strategic and comprehensive rebrand, including logo, messaging, marketing materials, and business structure, that establishes calm and respect for both users and practitioners of mediation.
Scope
Consultation
Strategy Design
Brand Design
Identity Design
Marketing Assets
Advertising
Harholdt Mediation and Law, a firm emphasizing empathy and trust, collaborated with HIARKI DESIGN Co. to create a brand that delicately balances symbols of trust, empathy, and authority. The journey began with a series of workshops and strategy sessions, revealing a need for a brand that could seamlessly integrate the diverse aspects of the business, from mediation to education. The outcome was a brand that not only resonates with the clients in their vulnerable times but also establishes a sense of calm and respect. The project was a harmonious blend of industry symbolism and innovative design, resulting in a brand package that is both robust and reflective of Harholdt’s mission and values.
The Beginning
The client, the founder of Harholdt Mediation and Law, had built a multifaceted career in law, mediation, and teaching mediation. The challenge was to unify these seemingly unrelated pieces into a cohesive brand. Through initial strategy workshops with HIARKI DESIGN Co., a clear path emerged to create a parent brand that could house the diverse pillars of the business, setting the foundation for a brand that is coherent, resonant, and aligned with the business's vision and objectives.
Phase 1 - Value
In this foundational phase, we immersed ourselves in the intricate world of Harholdt Mediation and Law, striving to comprehend its multifaceted essence and the nuanced equilibrium it aspired to achieve. Our journey involved meticulous research and enlightening discovery sessions, where we unearthed the fundamental values and goals of the firm.
This exploration allowed us to align these elements, forming a brand blueprint to navigate future endeavors and expansions. The approved mood board, a culmination of our exploration, inspired the design, visualized the brand’s purpose, and look-and-feel. As a result, reflecting Harholdt’s mission of reconciliation, communication, and authority. It was a pivotal step in shaping the brand’s personality, ensuring coherence in its appearance, tone, and behavior.
Client-approved mood board, a visual representation of Harholdt’s values and mission, serving as a design compass for crafting a brand that embodies trust, empathy, and strategic alignment in design.
First collaborative session with the client at a local café. We focused on understanding Harholdt’s values and vision, and laying the groundwork for strategic alignment in design, to craft a brand resonating with trust and empathy.
Phase 2 - Design
Transitioning to the design phase, our task was to morph the values and objectives identified in Phase 1 into tangible visual elements. The initial inclination was towards an abstract mark, but our research and workshops underscored the significance of industry symbolism to the clientele. We, therefore, embraced these symbols, synthesizing a logo that harmoniously integrates several symbols representative of mediation and law.
In this phase we emphasized creating calm and cohesive visuals that seamlessly integrate the overall look-and-feel of the brand, ensuring the design resonated with Harholdt’s mission. The outcome was a set of three visual cues within the brand, each encapsulating the essence of Harholdt’s mission, forming a visual narrative that is both calming and authoritative.
A series of initial logo sketches by HDC, each one a blend of innovation and strategic alignment, reflecting our commitment to design for visionary businesses and create a lasting impact in the design landscape.
A detailed breakdown of symbolism in Harholdt’s final logo illustrates HDC’s meticulous approach to melding insights from Phase 1 with innovative design, effectively echoing Harholdt’s mission and values in mediation and law.
Phase 3 - Voice
In this final phase, we meticulously shaped the brand expression, ensuring that every component, from the colors to the fonts, resonated with Harholdt’s mission of calm, respect, and authority. We developed an ID Guideline, a succinct summary encapsulating all the brand elements, designed to guide effective future implementations of the brand.
This guideline acts as a navigational tool, steering the brand’s journey and ensuring the consistent and accurate communication of its essence. After detailed development and securing the client’s approval, we organized all assets for hand-off, ending with a strategy meeting to review and consult on the brand’s deployment.
This phase was crucial in fortifying the brand's voice, ensuring it spoke clearly and resonated deeply with its audience.
The final logo epitomizes the elegance of minimalism. The result is the culmination of the client’s and our effort to create a mark that is both memorable and simplistic, resonating profoundly with Harholdt’s mission in mediation and law.
The brand’s refined identity, showcased on business cards and sell sheets, embodies Harholdt’s values and mission with clarity and conciseness. With the supplied ID Guideline, this cohesive look can be seamlessly applied to all marketing materials.
The journey with Harholdt Mediation and Law was a testament to the transformative power of design, where diverse elements were woven into a cohesive, resonant brand. It was a journey of discovery, innovation, and alignment, resulting in a brand that is a true reflection of Harholdt’s values and purpose for the business. The joy and satisfaction experienced by the client, witnessing her diverse career paths unified under one robust brand, were the true rewards of this project, highlighting the impact of strategic, thoughtful design in bringing visions to life.
