Justice North
Justice North
Finance & Legal
What We Made
Branding Identity
Brand Guidelines
Brand Strategy
Design
API & Platform Integration
Logo Design
Tags
brand
branding
justice
lasnem
law
legal
name
naming
north
Challenge
Legal Aid Services of Northeastern Minnesota is a mouthful. So is its acronym, LASNEM. The LASNEM team does amazing work, providing critical civil legal representation to the most vulnerable members in our community. However, while they do great work, the LASNEM name and branding didn't reflect what they stand for or how they work with their clients. They were in need of legal branding that was professional but didn't look like a stuffy law firm. They needed a look and feel that exuded a sense of friendliness and safety. Their new brand needed to be approachable and offer a sense of hope, a bridge to a better life.That's where we came in.
Concept
We first focused on rebranding the Legal Aid Services of Northeastern Minnesota by shortening and simplifying the name. After extensive research and brainstorming, we chose "Justice North" as the new name. As we played with different names, we considered how they could be represented visually. The star, a symbol of the "North Star State," was a perfect fit for the brand's icon. It also served as a unique visual element across different mediums.
Outcome
In addition to delivering the various brand and logo elements elements, we also created business cards, letterhead, Powerpoint presentation templates, printed handouts, internal and external signage, interior office designs, social media assets, a new website, and more. The new website was a particularly big step up for the organization. It provide them with an elevated, clean and intuitive design, user-friendly functionality, while also allowing them to easily make changes as needed.
Justice North Branding
The first thing we tackled was the Legal Aid Services of Northeastern Minnesota name. It needed to be shorter, easier to remember, and like the branding, more approachable. After much research, ideation, and back and forth, Justice North was chosen as the new name. While the name technically came first, while searching for a new name, we were constantly playing around with how one name or another could be represented visually. A name, after all, always significantly dictates the branding. With Justice North so directly calling out the north area of the state, tying in the use of a star was a seamless fit. Minnesota is known as the north star state after all. This custom created star also acts as the brand's shorthand icon and a distinctive element to play with across mediums.
The Justice North color palette was chosen to be professional looking while also emanating a friendly, welcoming feel. The primary navy blue and teal are also tie-ins to the northern Minnesota region that the organization serves. Furthermore, the font was selected for it cleanness and simplicity. The font system also provides prime readability and an accessible air, perfect for Justice North's client base. All of these elements together help form the system that is the Justice North brand that you see below.
What they said and how they felt
What they said and how they felt
What they said and how they felt
What they said and how they felt
What they said and how they felt
Website Design & Development
Creating a new website for Justice North required a user-centric approach focused on accessibility and simplicity. We designed the site to be easy to navigate, allowing users to find the information and resources they need quickly. The streamlined layout guides visitors through the site with intuitive menus and clear calls to action, ensuring a seamless user experience.
The new website also reflects Justice North's updated brand identity, with a clean, modern design that incorporates the organization's new logo and color palette. To meet the needs of Justice North's diverse audience, we emphasized functionality, integrating key features such as an accessible contact form, information-rich sections about legal aid services, and a resources page with relevant information.
Overall, the website provides Justice North with a robust digital platform that is both visually appealing and highly functional, reinforcing the organization's commitment to providing accessible legal services to the communities they serve in Northern Minnesota.