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Legal Design is the latest buzzword in the legal industry. Everyone and even their dogs are starting hip and cool Legal Design Agencies around the globe.
But let's be real – don't even think about it!
We've got five good reasons why you should stay far away from this so-called "opportunity."
1. Legal Design is difficult to sell
Selling legal design services is like trying to sell ice to Eskimos. Legal professionals are not known for their adventurous spirit or willingness to try new things, so convincing them to embrace design thinking can feel like trying to push a boulder uphill.
2. It is not very profitable
Even if you do manage to convince someone to give your services a try, the financial return on your investment may not be what you expected. Legal design is not yet a mainstream concept, and its value is often overlooked. Furthermore, skilled designers are motivated to satisfy their clients and drive change within the organization, often leading to additional, unbilled work and extended project timelines.
3. It is frustrating and very tiring
Legal design is definitely not easy. It involves a lot of research, testing, and iteration. It takes time and effort to create designs that are both visually appealing and easy to understand. After all the back and forth, you'll be so sick of anything design-related that you'll never want to hear the words "legal” or "design" spoken together again.
4. Different working cultures and professions are hard to combine
Designers and lawyers have very different working cultures and professional backgrounds, which can make collaboration a nightmare. Designers like to experiment and push boundaries, while lawyers tend to prefer the status quo. Trying to combine these two approaches can feel like trying to mix oil and water.
5. Innovation sucks
Who needs innovation anyway? Why bother trying to change an industry that has been operating in the same way for centuries? Legal professionals are happy with their word templates and billable hours, and they certainly don't want to be bothered with new ideas or creative approaches.
But wait, there is more...
Or there is not, and the title may have been clickbait.
We, of course, want you to start your own business and thrive. But amidst all the hype, it's important to start something for the right reasons. If you're looking to get rich quickly or jump on the latest bandwagon, legal design probably is not for you.
The individual points are somewhat accurate, and any designer who has been through them can attest to their truth. But if you're passionate about using design thinking to solve legal problems and create better user experiences, then go for it. We will root for you! Just be prepared for a lot of hard work along the way.
Ps. A good way to test your interest in this field is to sign up for our Legal Design Project Course. If you have enough interest, patience and motivation to complete the course, you may very well be the next founder of a successful legal design agency. 😉