About Studio Lutalica
What is Studio Lutalica?
Studio Lutalica is a non-profit design studio dedicated to uplifting women and LGBTQ+ communities through creative work that doubles as social infrastructure. Founded in October 2020 by Cecilia Righini, Studio Lutalica is registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC) — a structure the studio's founder pointedly chose to "permanently embed[] our values into our business model".
The name "Lutalica" (/lu:talika/) is defined on the studio's homepage as "the part of your identity that doesn't fit into categories". Services span branding, web design, web development, brand strategy, editorial, UX/UI, copywriting, SEO, digital accessibility, social media, illustration and animation. Recent client projects include Friends of BGWMC (a community-rooted campaign to protect a historic queer space), Systemic Justice (accessible reporting and inclusive digital design), Equal Rights Coalition (a global coalition advancing LGBTI rights) and Clausework (values-led employment-law support).
Where will I work?
Studio Lutalica is remote-first with most of the team based in Edinburgh and additional members in Glasgow and London. Occasional in-person meetings happen in Edinburgh. The studio describes itself as a "feminist and queer-led organisation" and routinely encourages applications from "women, trans, queer, disabled, and Black, Brown, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds".
What is the Studio Lutalica team like?
The studio's core team is led by Cecilia Righini (Founder + Creative Director, they/them, Edinburgh) — "an award-winning creative problem-solver who believes that design is essential infrastructure for social justice" and a trustee of the Equality Network and judge for the PRINT Awards. Managing Director Ceysa McKechnie (she/her, Edinburgh) brings over ten years of large-scale change leadership and founded DEI consultancy em·paó·er. Danielle Mustarde (she/they, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Edinburgh) is a former Senior Staff Writer at DIVA Magazine. Lily Hannigan (she/her, Business Development Assistant, Edinburgh) also runs a private practice as a Psychodynamic Therapist. Lou Brown (they/them, Business Development Manager, London) previously founded art business Goodstrangevibes. Rachel Wilson (she/they, Project Manager, Glasgow) specialises in neuro-inclusive project management.
The studio publishes a 10-point manifesto including "Our Feminism is Intersectional", "No LGB Without the T", "Accessibility isn't an Afterthought", and "Wellbeing Comes First" ("we're committed to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that prioritises the health of our team members and this isn't something that we will compromise on under pressure"). It has been certified as a Living Wage Employer.
Work-Life Balance
Studio Lutalica explicitly commits in its manifesto that "Wellbeing Comes First" — described as "a supportive and nurturing environment that prioritises the health of our team members" and "isn't something that we will compromise on under pressure". The studio offers remote-first working with hours and flexibility for both salaried and freelance roles; the studio's current open role (Social Media Coordinator) is freelance, 8-12 hours per week, remote-first with occasional Edinburgh meetings.
Perks and Benefits
- Living Wage Employer (certified)
- Remote-first working with the team distributed across Edinburgh, Glasgow and London
- Paid time off including bank holidays
- Mental-health and wellbeing prioritised explicitly in the company manifesto
- Healthcare support
- Reasonable-adjustments policy in recruitment (video applications, screen-reader formats, sign language interpreters, interview questions shared in advance)
- Paid interview support and inclusive hiring practice
- Membership of Social Enterprise Scotland and the Consortium LGBT