Cecilia Righini
Cecilia Righini
Design Manager / Founder of Studio Lutalica
London & Edinburgh, UK
www.lutalica.studio
instagram @studiolutalica
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a non-binary queer Design Manager. ”
After years of experience in the non-inclusive luxury industry, I launched Lutalica, a Design and Consultancy Studio for Feminist and LGBTQ+ clients and projects only.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
In August 2019 I started a master degree in Gender, Media and Culture at Goldsmiths University in London thinking I was going to learn a little more about myself after coming out as non-binary. At the same time, I started to volunteer with a few LGBTQ+ charities including Pride in London, while working full-time as a Design Manager for a jewellery company. I can say my life was divided between this luxury and non-inclusive environment on one side and the Feminist and Queer community on the other, which soon enough became my family. I immediately started thinking how I could completely dedicate my time to something that had so much value for me, looked for many design jobs in a more inclusive and diverse environment but couldn’t find any.
Thinking about how I did not fit in any job, I came out with Lutalica – which literally means ‘the part of your identity that doesn’t fit in any category’.
How do you stand out in your field?
While usually Design studios may operate in a local area and deal with a large variety of clients/subjects, I would operate somewhat in reverse. Following a human centred design methodology and the trend of digital globalisation experienced during COVID-19, there is no reason why I should not have a global reach and a niche expertise. So, I am planning to hire women and LGBTQ+ people with specific areas of interest and knowledge to cover issues our communities face, and bring in consultants in the areas I lack in.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Many projects! I recently launched a website for a Feminist circus artist and one for a photographic gender project, I designed a logo for a trans Academic, I re-branded an LGBTQ+ not-for-profit organisation, ... all related to Feminism and the Queer community! Being a non-binary queer person myself, I imagine people come to me with their projects as they trust I understand what it means to be part of these communities, with all of their beauty and discrimination issues.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I started with quite a minimal style, thinking less is better, more to the point. However, lately I find all my Pinterest boards full of brutalist website images, photo+illustration collages, etc. Perhaps my most representative project so far is Vagina-nomics but the website for the Studio is drastically changing aesthetics. However, I believe my personal has little to do with what clients want! My job is to take their vision and aesthetics and turn them into something that stands out within their target audience and, most importantly, is accessible and inclusive.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I wish I could take a new course everyday. Lately, I've been thinking to get more into illustration and animation. Who knows, maybe one day soon!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Time! Starting a business is no joke. I would like to just be a Design Manager, but at the beginning you must do a bit of everything, even the super boring admin and financial stuff. I wish days were 48h at least, or I didn't need to sleep. Although I do love a good night sleep, sometimes I feel guilty as I could always spend more time designing and strategising for the future of my Studio. Too much?
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Social Media, 100%. I love design but I am really, really bad at keeping up with Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, I mean, aren't they way too many to manage?
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
'You will finally figure it out'. I spent so much time worrying I did not have something specific I loved, that maybe I was not going to be able to support myself with the career path I chose, that I was not good enough (that one still comes up from time to time, good old impostor syndrome). Turns out, I'm young, I have two degrees, a job I adore and a bright future for my studio. Things may change in the future – as my nan used to tell me, 'the only thing we can be sure of is that one day we'll all die'. Thanks nan for the positivity – but for now, I think I have figured it out. We are a super adaptive species, we always do.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Definitely legal and financial stuff. I'm a creative, my head is always in the clouds and I have soo many ideas on new projects and new things I could do for the Studio. I would need someone to help me address all of my energy – I have a lot of it – to something useful and productive, as unfortunately, at the end of the day, a Studio doesn't run itself.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Are you a Feminist and/or Queer person or are you working on a Feminist and/or Queer project? Let's talk! I love finding new ways to collaborate with people. I had many incredible conversations with other creatives and business around the world in the past year – thank you, global pandemic – and I can't wait to have more. If they turns out into a new project/job for us, even better.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Because of the niche target audience I work with, I must say all my clients are truly amazing. They hire me because they know I have an expertise in Design, so they don't try to 'design with me' or 'give me advices', as they give me trust. Also, they are transparent with their needs and they understand what it means to work with a community that has a limited budget for Design and/or Consultancy work. Eventually, it all comes down to mutual respect as people and as professionals.
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
My incredible team! I work with:
– Nathalie Combes (Studio Manager)
– Clémence Dequaire (Social Media Manager)
– Anna Tokareva (Business Development and Partnerships)
– Berna Yanık (Research Administrator).
I can't stress enough how I could not do any of my work without these incredible creatives I work with.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email me or call me – any modern form of communication works. You can try to send me a pigeon, but I move a lot so who knows if it could find me.
Just reach out! If you have a budget and a deadline in mind even better, if not we will figure it out together.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Listening to what other people are passionate about.
This member profile was originally published in April 2021.