High Water: Building a brand engineered for work in water

Client: HighWater™
Industry: Civil Engineering & Infrastructure
Sector: Temporary Water Control & Engineering

Engineered Access. Anywhere in water.™

Overview

Robert Nicholas had built a strong reputation for delivering specialist engineering and environmental solutions across the UK. As demand for temporary dams and water-control systems continued to grow, it became clear this specialist area of the business had the potential to stand as a distinct proposition in its own right.

The challenge was not simply to create a new logo or visual identity. It was to establish a new brand capable of clearly communicating a highly specialised service offering while retaining the engineering credibility and expertise that sat behind it.

Working closely with the team, Crux developed the High Water brand from the ground up, creating a complete identity system, positioning platform and communications toolkit designed to support future growth.

The result is a bold and distinctive brand that reflects the expertise, ambition and integrated approach that makes High Water different, providing a strong foundation across digital, print, exhibitions and site applications.

What we did

Brand Identity
Brand Positioning
Brand Guidelines
Website Design & Build
Corporate Brochure Design
Vehicle Livery
Exhibition Design
High Water operative installing a temporary water-control system within a live watercourse during specialist in-water engineering works.
High Water construction hoarding design featuring large-scale branding, engineering messaging and project photography.
High Water engineering operative on an active construction site representing the company’s civil engineering and infrastructure capabilities.
High Water outdoor advertising posters showcasing the brand identity, engineering expertise and water-control positioning.

Our approach

The temporary water-control market is highly specialised, yet many businesses within the sector communicate in similar ways. Technical capability is often difficult to differentiate and service offerings can appear interchangeable to those outside the industry.

The opportunity for High Water was to create a brand that moved beyond products and equipment to focus on outcomes, expertise and problem-solving.

Working alongside the senior team, we explored the role the new brand would play within the wider Robert Nicholas Group and how it could establish its own identity while benefiting from the engineering heritage behind the business.

Through a series of strategic discussions and workshops, we helped define the foundations of the brand, identifying the core themes that would shape both the visual identity and messaging framework. The process focused on understanding not only what High Water delivers, but the value it creates for clients operating in complex and challenging water environments.

Aerial view of a High Water temporary dam installation providing controlled access and water management during infrastructure works.
High Water operative carrying specialist equipment during water-control and infrastructure operations.
High Water typography system featuring the Roboto typeface used throughout the brand identity and communications.
High Water website homepage design displayed on a laptop showcasing the new brand identity and digital experience.
High Water website design system featuring homepage layouts, service pages and digital user interface components.
High Water responsive website design displayed across mobile devices showcasing navigation, services and industry sector content.

This work led to the development of the positioning platform: Engineered Access. Anywhere in Water.

The proposition captures both the practical reality of what High Water provides and the specialist expertise required to deliver it successfully.

From there, we developed a complete visual identity system designed to feel confident, engineered and highly recognisable. The bold marque, distinctive colour palette and contemporary typographic approach create a brand capable of standing out within a traditionally conservative sector while maintaining the professionalism expected by infrastructure, utilities and construction clients.

To support launch and future growth, the identity was extended across a comprehensive suite of applications including brand guidelines, website design and development, corporate literature, exhibition graphics and vehicle livery. Every touchpoint was designed to work together as part of a cohesive system, ensuring the new brand could be deployed consistently across both physical and digital environments.

High Water brochure interior spread showcasing engineering expertise, water-control solutions and specialist site operations.
High Water brand guidelines and corporate communications materials presented within a printed publication mockup.
High Water engineering team reviewing construction drawings and project plans on an active infrastructure site.
High Water commercial vehicle livery design featuring the brand identity applied to a specialist engineering support vehicle.
High Water corporate brochure cover and vision statement spread showcasing the company’s engineering expertise and water-control solutions.
High Water brand collateral and brochure design mockups showcasing the visual identity system across multiple marketing materials.
High Water brochure spread highlighting design-and-build services and engineered solutions for complex water and infrastructure projects.

The Result

High Water launched with a clear identity, compelling positioning and a scalable communications platform capable of supporting future growth.

By creating a standalone brand that combines engineering credibility with a more distinctive and modern presence, High Water is now better positioned to communicate its expertise, differentiate its offer and establish itself as a recognised specialist within the temporary water-control sector.

From strategy and identity through to website, print and environmental applications, Crux helped transform a specialist service offering into a fully realised brand built for the next stage of its journey.

Rob Thallon
CEO – HighWater

“Crux helped us create a brand that reflects the expertise behind the business and provides a strong foundation for the future.”

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