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

Playground Magazine

Issue 1 Launch Event

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Playground, an honest magazine for imaginative minds, was created and published by studio playground in December 2023. We’ve decided to host a launch event to support and celebrate the first issue’s release. 

YEAR

2023

SERVICES

Event Concept

Event Production

Event Communication & Guestlist

Content Creation 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

In December 2023, studio playground launched Playground – a new independent magazine for imaginative minds – with a warm and welcoming event in Vilnius. With no prior market presence or brand awareness, the launch was a bold move during the busiest time of year. Designed as a moment of creative pause, the event brought the community together to connect, celebrate, and discover Playground for the very first time.

Tactical timing – hosted during the holiday season to offer a rare moment of reflection and connection

Audience-first concept – designed as a community space to socialise, recharge and discover the magazine

Brand-building through experience – translated the values of Playground into a physical space

Strong early traction – built awareness, visibility and sales with no prior campaign

HIGHLIGHTS

Over 150 guests attended

40+ copies of Playground Issue 1 sold on-site

 Held at Draugų Vardai – a listening bar and experimental space in central Vilnius

Guests enjoyed coffee, cookies, cocktails and a curated Playground playlist

The event became a hub for collaborators, friends and the wider creative sector

Helped forge new partnerships and expand future networks

Generated content and visibility post-launch via social media and community sharing

SAVO

Savo Brand strategy & Rebrand

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Savo, a Swedish chair 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

2023

SERVICES

Research & Analysis

Workshop

Brand Strategy

Brand Activation

Creative Direction

Creative Playbooks

Editorial Strategy

Brand Partnerships Strategy

ABOUT THE PROJECT

studio playground partnered with Savo, the Swedish workspace chair producer, to develop a strategic vision that strengthens its position in the business-to-business (B2B) market. This process was rooted in in-depth category and market research, combined with strategic workshops to understand sales and communication needs while building on Savo’s rich heritage. The goal was to shape a sharper, more modern and distinctive brand that stands out in a competitive landscape.

This collaboration went beyond surface-level changes – establishing a clear positioning and direction that informs all communication moving forward. Designed to be immediately actionable, the strategy equips Savo’s team with the roadmap, partnerships and frameworks needed to bring the vision to life.

More than a one-time exercise, this strategy provides a lasting foundation – ensuring Savo’s brand remains both relevant and competitive.

1. A stronger, clearer positioning that balances heritage with innovation

2. A long-term, actionable strategy designed for daily use

3. A refined visual and verbal identity to enhance brand recognition and give creative edge

4. Created a set of tools and frameworks to align internal teams and external partnerships


Studio Playground gives you both the strategic direction with a creative edge, as well as a concrete roadmap on how to achieve it, which I believe is the hardest thing to get.
Malin Gloss,
Marketing Manager, SAVO Office Seating
SOME OF THE DELIVERABLES

A base strategy document outlining core positioning and vision

An actionable brand activation plan

An editorial strategy shaping all communication

A refreshed visual identity and newly defined tone of voice

Practical tools to embed the strategy into everyday operations

Atelier100
for IKEA and H&M

Creating Atelier100 brand, retail & mentorship program concept

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

2021- 2024

SERVICES

Research

Workshop

Brand Strategy

Brand Activation

Creative Direction

Launch Strategy

Editorial Strategy

Partnership Strategy

Resource Planning & Hiring

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Atelier100 was never just a store or a design programme – it was a strategic shift in how brands and creative initiatives should be built, shaped by the creative team including studio playground. Launched and funded by H&M and Ingka Group (IKEA Retail) in 2022, it proves that true creative success comes from a strong foundation, not fleeting content.

Through a 360° approach – spanning research, brand development, retail curation and communication strategy – Atelier100 has grown into a leading London-based design incubator. 

Led by Austė, founder of studio playground, it provided emerging talents like Andu Masebo, Mitre & Mondays and Ambra Dentella with the tools, funding and platform to turn creativity into long-term success.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS

Developed & launched a new, funding & mentorship designers program brand uniting two global companies  in 8 months

Supporting 30 + London based creatives to bring their design product to life and raise their profiles through a unique mentorship program

Building a network of collaborators and community in London

Leading strategy, creative direction and launch of two democratic Open Calls and two Atelier100 collections

Leading and initiating partnerships with Courier Magazine, Hypebeast, London Design Festival, British Fashion Institute, Shoreditch Design Triangle 

Exceeding first-year PR Value targets, including features on Hypebeast, The Guardian, Financial Times, Wallpaper, Dezeen

Presenting the project during Milan Design Week 

Launched a retail store in London & two pop-ups