Category: Uncategorized

Savo

Content Series ‘Savo Sitdowns’

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Savo, a Swedish office seating producer, has innovation in its bones and in the back of every chair. They keep challenging the seating experience by pushing the envelopes of ergonomics and intuitive design. Savo won the Red Dot Design Award in 2022 and, together with Form Us With Love, has been honored in Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards 2023 and longlisted for the workplace design category in the Dezeen Awards 2023.

YEAR

2025 – ongoing

SERVICES

Research

Editorial Strategy

Creative Conception

Securing Partnerships

Content Production

ABOUT THE PROJECT

When studio playground re-branded Savo, part of the work was creating a long-term editorial strategy to position the brand as modern, insightful and future-proof. From this strategy, Savo Sitdowns was born – an ongoing interview series offering a platform for meaningful conversations around design, the modern workplace, and the role of seating in supporting health and productivity.

Each conversation is guided by the unique perspective of the guest – from design studio founders to physiotherapists and workplace ergonomics experts – shaping Savo as a curious and reliable thought leader. The series combines long- and short-form content with photography, film, and strategic partnerships, giving Savo a flexible content engine that feeds into campaigns, exhibitions, and publications.

studio playground continues to lead the series end-to-end: setting themes, curating guests, orchestrating production, and publishing with purpose so that every piece aligns tonally and strategically with Savo’s brand voice.

Interviews created so far happened in Stockholm, Copenhagen & London, published series include conversations with product designer Olle Lundberg & design studio Form Us With Love. 

Listen to the sitdown with visionary industrial designer Olle Lundberg here.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

– Best performing Savo’s content series across channels.

– Growth through partnerships.

– Thought leadership positioning (Sitdowns are hosted by Savo’s CEO Craig Howarth, strategically helping to position him in the field).

– Tailored creative team per project.

Listen to Sitdowns with Form Us With Love’s Jonas Pettersson here.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Consistently reinforces Savo’s position as a leader in workplace seating.

Strong editorial content distributed across all digital channels.

One of Savo’s best-performing social media formats – with the most-viewed post reaching 86K+ views.

Celebrated internally and externally, with partners and Savo employees actively sharing the content.

Videos showcased at Sit. Dot. Move. during 3daysofdesign 2025.

Savo

Savo’s Printed Journal

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Savo, a Swedish office seating producer, has innovation in its bones and in the back of every chair. They keep challenging the seating experience by pushing the envelopes of ergonomics and intuitive design. Savo won the Red Dot Design Award in 2022 and, together with Form Us With Love, has been honored in Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards 2023 and longlisted for the workplace design category in the Dezeen Awards 2023.

YEAR

2025

SERVICES

Research

Strategic Storytelling

Creative Conception

Editorial Content Creation & Publishing

Production

ABOUT THE PROJECT

As part of Savo’s 80th anniversary celebrations at 3daysofdesign 2025 in Copenhagen, studio playground created & published Savo Printed Journal – a bespoke printed editorial piece designed to capture the brand’s eight decades of design and ergonomics innovation, and its ongoing journey towards workspace seating excellence.

Developed as part of the Sit. Dot. Move. exhibition, the 22-page journal was designed as a high-quality editorial design object rather than a product catalogue – an engaging blend of in-depth research, brand storytelling, and playful design details.

With its striking silver metallic cover – a bold, tactile nod to studio playground’s commitment to pushing production quality – the journal became a talking point during the festival. Visitors praised both the execution quality and the editorial approach, recognising it as a distinctive take on brand storytelling in print.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Full-service delivery – from initial concept and in-depth research through to editorial design, production management and delivery at the exhibition.

Rich historical insight – included new brand history research with interviews from past and present stakeholders, uncovering untold stories from Savo’s 80-year journey.

Playful, premium design – 22-page small-run edition with a silver metallic cover, blending tactile impact with editorial craft.

Fast-track production – delivered from concept to printed copies in just nine weeks, ready for launch at 3daysofdesign.

The journal’s content was developed from a mix of existing brand materials and newly commissioned essays, as well as detailed archival tracking and interviews. Designed for both internal and external use, it acts as a permanent, high-value communication piece – distilling Savo’s design legacy and future commitments into a compact, collectable format.

SAVO

‘Sit. Dot. Move’ at 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Savo, a Swedish office seating producer, has innovation in its bones and in the back of every chair. They keep challenging the seating experience by pushing the envelopes of ergonomics and intuitive design. Savo won the Red Dot Design Award in 2022 and, together with Form Us With Love, has been honored in Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards 2023 and longlisted for the workplace design category in the Dezeen Awards 2023.

YEAR

2025

SERVICES

Research & Strategy

Creative Conception

Securing Partnerships

Communication

Production

ABOUT THE PROJECT

To mark Savo’s 80th anniversary, studio playground once again created, produced and activated an exhibition for 3daysofdesign event. Savo’s ‘Sit. Dot. Move.’ – an ambitious exhibition reflected both, the brand’s legacy while boldly embracing its future.

Created and co-curated in collaboration with studio playground’s network — local creatives and architects (in this case, Archival Studies) — the space showcased eight decades of Scandinavian design through a deconstructed timeline and archival materials inviting visitors to experience the seating & spend some playful time with the product.

Interactive elements like a playful “dot quiz”, bespoke merchandise, our created brand journal and branded workwear transformed the activation into a dynamic, story-driven encounter. With over 16,000 visitors in just three days, Sit. Dot. Move. proved how insight-driven design can connect heritage to the future – engaging audiences through creativity, clarity and purpose.

– 80 years archive research & presentation.

– Bold brand promises & curated morning events.

– Collaboration with local creatives.

– Created an interactive game.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Record footfall of 16,000+ visitors during the three-day event

Distributed 1,200 out-of-home posters placed across Copenhagen

Produced high-end branded merchandise included custom workwear, tote bags and stickers that was loved and seen across town

Our created interactive ‘dot hub’ was a playful yet insightful element of the exhibition – inviting visitors to explore their working habits and sitting styles through a short quiz that sparked engaging conversations

Created media buzz and local awareness driven through partnerships and bold visual identity

Sales representatives used interactive tools to begin more personal and tailored product dialogues

Produced & created a limited-edition printed journal capturing Savo’s 80-year journey. See more information on journal here.

Savo

Savo x Beckmans Mentorship Program

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Savo, a Swedish office seating producer, has innovation in its bones and in the back of every chair. They keep challenging the seating experience by pushing the envelopes of ergonomics and intuitive design. Savo won the Red Dot Design Award in 2022 and, together with Form Us With Love, has been honored in Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards 2023 and longlisted for the workplace design category in the Dezeen Awards 2023.

YEAR

2025

SERVICES

Strategy

Strategic Partnership

Creative Briefing

Production

Communication

ABOUT THE PROJECT

studio playground supported Savo’s collaboration with a well respected, Stockholm-based Beckmans College of Design by guiding strategic alignment, briefing, communications and content creation. 

The project paired two groups of final-year product design students with Savo to reimagine office seating through the lens of ergonomics, sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality. Prototypes from these student-led explorations featured at Stockholm Furniture Fair in the Greenhouse showcase, reinforcing the long-term Studies in Seating platform.

The collaboration attracted interest, and supported Savo in being a curious and supportive company towards up-and-coming talent within the product design field, while opening their production capacity to explore students’ design projects

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Strategic alignment – studio playground ensured the collaboration reflected Savo’s brand values and reinforced the Studies in Seating narrative, carrying about students needs

Content-driven comms – crafted storytelling materials that captured the student journey and design thinking for authentic outreach.

Up-and-coming talent engagement – supported mentorship and engagement between Savo and emerging designers, amplifying authentic brand connection.

Platform integration – seamlessly connected the student project to the broader Studies in Seating platform introduced in 2024 & exhibition at Stockholm Design Week, 2025.

Savo

‘Studies in Seating’ exhibition at Stockholm Design Week

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Savo, a Swedish office seating producer, has innovation in its bones and in the back of every chair. They keep challenging the seating experience by pushing the envelopes of ergonomics and intuitive design. Savo won the Red Dot Design Award in 2022 and, together with Form Us With Love, has been honored in Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards 2023 and longlisted for the workplace design category in the Dezeen Awards 2023.

YEAR

2025

SERVICES

Research & Analysis

Strategy

Creative Conception

Communication

Production

ABOUT THE PROJECT

For Stockholm Design Week 2025, studio playground once again partnered with Swedish office chair brand Savo to evolve ‘Studies in Seating’ – a long-term communications platform grounded in the brand strategy. This edition was shaped by a smart, sustainable mindset: rather than creating something entirely new, the concept was expanded and tailored for Stockholm, blending repurposed elements with new, locally relevant features. The darker, more refined expression reflected both seasonal aesthetics and the city’s distinct design culture.

As creative & project lead, studio playground steered the full process – from design and production to communication and event strategy – bringing together a bespoke creative team. With a strong narrative, a live talk from workplace experts and a curated spatial experience, ‘Studies in Seating’ reaffirmed Savo’s position as a thoughtful leader in the future of work and design.

Value Added:

Evolving a brand platform – developed ‘Studies in Seating’ as a long-term asset, with each iteration deepening brand narrative and relevance

Smart creative strategy – blended repurposed materials with new, context-specific elements suited to Stockholm’s aesthetic and season

Expert-led activation – included a live talk to reinforce thought leadership and spark conversation around workplace design

Tailored creative team – assembled a local freelance network to deliver a flexible, high-quality execution rooted in craft and collaboration

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Featured during Stockholm Design Week 2025

Press coverage in Dezeen

Secured bespoke printed materials for the exhibition – including a ‘How to Sit Better’ booklet developed in collaboration with an ergonomics specialist

Over 36,000 Instagram impressions during design week

Exclusive evening event with a panel discussion between John Löfgren from Form Us With Love, Niklas Madsen from Superlab and Craig Howarth, Savo’s CEO, with more than 100 guests. Moderated by design journalist Amy Frearson.

Strengthened Savo’s presence in the Scandinavian design scene through a strategically aligned activation

Curated two bespoke playlists to shape the atmosphere and reflect the brand’s tone

Engaged visitors through a playful quiz separating common seating myths from evidence-based ergonomic facts

Atelier100
for IKEA and H&M

Winter Holiday Shop in Covent Garden

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Launched in April 2022, Atelier100 was launched as a unique initiative established by H&M and Ingka Group (IKEA Retail). A design programme and a store all rolled into one, Atelier100 aims to discover and support emerging, London-based creatives by helping them bring their products to life and inspiring local communities to shop close to home.

YEAR

2023-2024

SERVICES

Strategy & Planning

Creative Brief

Creative Direction

Marketing & Communication

Leadership

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Atelier100 Winter Holiday Shop was a strategic retail activation designed to test a new city-centre location for the brand. Running from 30th November 2023 to 6th January 2024, the pop-up served as a temporary flagship store on Neal Street in Covent Garden – a high-footfall destination during the Christmas season. This move marked an intentional shift from Atelier100’s Hammersmith base, bringing the brand closer to new audiences through a carefully curated selection of local products.

The activation extended Atelier100’s 2023 strategy to explore new retail formats. From the spatial concept – developed with previous Atelier100 collaborators Mittre and Mondays – to the curated product mix, the shop underscored the brand’s role as a platform for local talent. Communications and marketing were led by Austė from studio playground, delivering a campaign rooted in storytelling and relevance.

Location as strategy – tested a central London retail setting to broaden Atelier100’s reach during the high-impact festive season.

Local-first approach – featured 50+ brands with products developed through Atelier100’s support

Community-driven design – spatial concept and production by Atelier100 collaborators Mitre and Mondays

Comms-led impact – campaign communications steered by Auste from studio playground

ADDITIONAL IMPACT & HIGHLIGHTS

Reused interiors from Atelier100’s London Design Festival showroom

More than 2,000 out-of-home (OOH) ads activated across central London

Featured in Financial Times, Dezeen and Wallpaper Christmas shopping guides

Some products fully sold out, increasing demand and visibility for makers

Sparked new collaborations with influential figures in the design industry

Brought together the extended Atelier100 team to deliver a refined second retail location

Playground Magazine

Issue 2

Photogarphy by Martyna Paukšte

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Playground is a fresh, bi-annual independent magazine for imaginative minds created by studio playground. Featuring thought-provoking essays, engaging conversations and an assortment of “creative quickies”, it’s an honest, and at times, opinionated exploration of the creative mind and process. 

YEAR

2024

SERVICES

Strategy & Conception

Creative Direction & Design

Content Commissioning

Content Creation & Management

Communication

Publishing & Distribution

ABOUT THE ISSUE 2

After the warm reception of Playground Issue 1, the second edition of studio playground’s independent magazine set out to build on early momentum by reaching broader audiences and deepening its editorial ambition. Published in spring 2024, Playground Issue 2 delves into the themes of nostalgia, memory and childhood – exploring how formative experiences shape creativity, from individual expression to collective culture.

As a self-initiated project with no prior publishing background, the release of Issue 2 presented new challenges – from increased print volume and international distribution to commissioning contributors from a wider creative network across Europe. Despite the hurdles, the result was a refined and confident publication: 13 contributors, 4 in-depth interviews and two new recurring sections. Together, they offered honest, opinionated and curious perspectives – staying true to Playground’s editorial soul.

Photography by Martyna Paukšte
Photogarphy by Martyna Paukšte

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Expanded creative reach – new contributors, topics and features aimed to engage a wider European creative community

International distribution push – scaled up production and reach with Issue 2 now available in 22 countries, 33 cities and 47 stores

Resonant editorial theme – Issue 2 explored memory, nostalgia and playfulness – tapping into topics relevant across creative disciplines

Industry visibility – invited talks at MagCulture Live and Monocle’s The Stack positioned Playground as a serious voice in independent publishing

“In the issue’s thoughtfully curated pages exploring the notion of nostalgia, memory, and childhood, I found a reassuring sense that my own work – however niche – held resonance and significance.”
– Reader Testimonial



SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS

60% of Issue 2 sold out within the first month of launch

Issues stocked at notable stores including Do You Read Me?! (Berlin), MagCulture (London), and Casa Magazines (New York)

Participated in Indiecon, the leading event for the independent magazine scene

Created new sections including “5 Insights” and “Curio” to evolve content structure

Continued building a strong visual and narrative identity around honesty, curiosity and creative experimentation

Attended “MagCulture Live” & presented Playground’s ideation and creation process

Playground founder, Auste Skrupskyte was invited to speak at Monocle’s famous podcast – The Stack, where she spoke more about the studio and Issue 2

You can listen to Auste discuss the studio & the magazine production process on Monocle’s The Stack Podcast Here

Atelier100
for IKEA and H&M

London Design Festival Showroom & Campaign

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Launched in April 2022, Atelier100 is a unique initiative established by H&M and Ingka Group (IKEA Retail). A design programme and a store all rolled into one, Atelier100 aims to discover and support emerging, London-based creatives by helping them bring their products to life and inspiring local communities to shop close to home.

YEAR

2023

SERVICES

Research & Strategy 

Creative Brief

Creative Direction

Location Scouting 

Partnership Strategy 

Marketing & Communication Leadership

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Austė from studio playground led the strategic launch of Atelier100 Drop02, a collection of 22 fashion and design objects by London-based designers. More than just a product drop, the campaign celebrated local talent and strengthened community connections.

Timed with the London Design Festival and London Fashion Week, the 10-day showroom in East London maximised cultural relevance and Atelier100’s presence in the city’s creative scene. The Hackney location was a deliberate move – connecting key objectives from the annual strategy: testing new retail settings, understanding local resonance and boosting short-term showroom return on investment (ROI) by partnering with London Design Festival, already active in the area.

Through curated storytelling, strategic collaborations and a multi-channel communication approach, the campaign showcased the power of thoughtful brand-building with lasting impact.

Location as strategy – East London showroom aligned with annual goals to test new markets and retail performance

Cultural timing – launched during London Design Festival and London Fashion Week to maximise relevance

Partnership–led visibility – activated collaborations with London Design Festival, Shoreditch Design Triangle and British Fashion Council

360° communications – blended organic, earned and paid media to drive reach and engagement

“The highlight, however, was Atelier100, an initiative that commissioned emerging designers to make new works with financial backing from industry heavyweights”
Nic Monisse, Design Editor, Monocle

HIGHLIGHTS

Launched a 10-day showroom in Hackney – Atelier100’s first East London presence

Named a London Design Festival highlight by Financial Times and Monocle

Secured 28 press features, with 70% in top-tier titles including Dezeen and Hypebeast

Achieved a 10% growth in Instagram followers during the campaign

Hosted a high-energy opening event with over 500 guests – described as “the place to be in East London” that evening

Sparked interest from local brands to stock and collaborate with Atelier100

Strengthened community presence through a hyper-local focus and activation-led approach

Savo

Studies in Seating’ exhibition at 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Savo, a Swedish office seating producer, has innovation in its bones and in the back of every chair. They keep challenging the seating experience by pushing the envelopes of ergonomics and intuitive design. Savo won the Red Dot Design Award in 2022 and, together with Form Us With Love, has been honored in Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards 2023 and longlisted for the workplace design category in the Dezeen Awards 2023.

YEAR

2024

SERVICES

Research & Analysis

Strategy

Creative Conception

Securing Partnerships

Production

Communication

Exhibition

Location Scouting

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The ‘Studies in Seating’ exhibition at 3daysofdesign 2024 was a bold brand activation that transformed Savo’s strategic vision into an immersive experience. More than just a showcase, it introduced ‘Studies in Seating’ as a long-term communications platform, directly shaped by Savo’s brand strategy.

Designed to engage the festival audience while staying true to Savo’s identity, the exhibition explored the essential yet often-overlooked role of the office chair.

A compelling narrative – rooted in the insight that people spend up to eight years sitting in an office chair, yet it remains overlooked by the design industry – formed the foundation of the experience.

Carefully curated collaborations, an attention-grabbing out-of-home (OOH) campaign and interactive elements ensured the activation was widely recognised – drawing thousands of visitors and gaining significant press coverage.

Increased Visibility – Attracted 15,000 visitors in three days, with major press coverage in Dezeen and Elle Decoration UK

Seated Insight – Built on strong product insight, highlighting the overlooked role of office chairs in everyday life

Bringing Novelty – Launched ‘Studies in Seating’ as a communications platform aligned with Savo’s brand strategy

Activating Network – Collaborated with carefully selected partners to deliver a unique experience

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS

More than 1,000 out-of-home posters distributed across Copenhagen

Estimated earned press views exceeding 500,000

Over 500,000 people reached through Instagram

Curated a library of more than 20 books exploring workplace design

Custom Savo merchandise, including pens and stickers, created & distributed at the event

Daily morning events with breakfast from Juno the Bakery

Interactive research inviting participants to envision the future of office chairs

Playground Magazine

Issue 1

Photography by Martyna Paukštė

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Playground is a fresh, bi-annual independent magazine for imaginative minds created by studio playground. Featuring thought-provoking essays, engaging conversations and an assortment of “creative quickies”, it’s an honest, and at times, opinionated exploration of the creative mind and process. 

YEAR

2023

SERVICES

Strategy & Conception

Creative Direction & Design

Content Commissioning 

Content Creation & Management

Communication

Publishing & Distribution

ABOUT THE ISSUE 1

Born from studio playground’s belief in experimentation, play and quality over quantity, Playground is a bi-annual independent magazine for imaginative minds. More than just a publication, it’s a creative lab – an open space for testing ideas, embracing curiosity and redefining what creativity means today. 

Through thought-provoking essays, engaging conversations and “creative quickies”, it offers an honest – and at times opinionated – exploration of the creative mind and process.


Launched in summer 2023, Playground marked studio playground’s most ambitious self-initiated project to date. From early ideation and editorial development to content creation, commissioning and hands-on production, every element was shaped with care by a small but determined team.

Photography by Martyna Paukštė

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Wide creative network – more than 30 contributors from across Europe, including writers, illustrators and photographers

Fair from the start – all contributors paid, despite being a self-funded debut

Strong launch and global reach – 500 copies sold in three months, stocked in more than 35 stores across 15 countries

Industry award recognition – shortlisted for a D&AD Design Award in independent magazine category, Gold in Swedish Design Priset & Bronze at Art Directors Club, Lithuania

AWARDS

Shortlisted in D&AD design awards amongst best independent design magazines

Bronze at Art Director’s Club Lithuania Awards

Gold at Swedish design awards DesignPriset.

“I was just at the Tate Modern and found your lovely magazine on the stand in the shop. It was brilliantly put together and a pleasure to look at and read.”
– Reader Testimonial


SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS

Despite being a small, emerging brand, all contributors were compensated for their work for the magazine.

Featured & collaborated with 30+ creatives from Europe.

500 copies sold in 3 months

10% of Magazine sold in pre-order

Playground distributed in 3 continents, 15 countries, and 21 cities

All editorial, visual and production work done in-house by studio playground

Photography by Martyna Paukštė