Project
Since 1874 DWLR has been the only publication to report daily on both the D.C. and federal courts, providing the legal community with both timely and historic data. As a 130-year-old daily publication, DWLR has surpassed archival capacity of any brick and mortar library increasing the urgency of transferring all information to easy-to-search online archives.
DWLR came to Substance151 for help with developing web-based archives and updating the website’s design, structure and functionality.
It was important to preserve the sense of history that came with being in business for over 130 years, while incorporating the latest technology to allow site visitors easily search for voluminous data.
The new website now has extensive search functionality, intuitive navigation, integrated blog, a clear call for subscriptions, and a free issue download that includes a data capture form. The website is developed using Drupal Content Management System that not only allows the DWLR team to easily maintain their website in-house, but also provides a scalable foundation to accommodate future expansion and enhancements.
The design combines the late 19th century photos of the DWLR office with design elements that are found in the visual vocabulary of a print publication, but the clean, sophisticated layout and striking red and black color palette bring DWLR into the 21st century.
“I recently worked with Ida Cheinman and Substance151 on a total redesign and redevelopment of our website. The end product is so much more than my company could have ever hoped for. Their team's knowledge and creativity perfectly combined our newspaper's 137 year history with today's technology so seamlessly, it is hard to imagine we spent so many years settling on what we thought our online options were. This newspaper's future is now glowing as brightly as our computer monitors.”
—Donald J. Nichols, Publisher, Daily Washington Law Reporter Co.