The Edit: five projects including Studio Albin Holmqvist’s identity update for Spotify’s RapCaviar

Each and every day, we're lucky to discover dozens of interesting and inspiring projects from around the world. From global identities and campaigns to side projects and independently published books, The Edit is home to five of them; every two weeks.

Centred around hip-hop hits, RapCaviar is one of Spotify’s biggest flagship playlists with over 15 million subscribers. The release of an eight-episode docuseries on Hulu titled ‘RapCaviar Presents’ raised the need for a refresh of the design system created by the Spotify in-house team back in 2017. Some key elements were vital to the equity of the brand (think, the diagonal layout system and bespoke monogram), and so, were kept and refined. The most significant change made by Stockholm-based designer Albin Holmqvist was a bolder and more editorial-oriented look, one which put the artist front and centre. To create better contrast and stand out on images, the lock-up has been updated to LL Circular Spotify Head Black, a bolder weight of Spotify’s bespoke version of Lineto’s typeface. The colour palette was also expanded from a singular signature colour to a 15-hues, designed to complement any image. 

How do you create a completely new brand for an existing product, to be launched in new markets, with a new name? That’s the task Most Studios were given when creating the identity for home security system Nimly. The previous company had been acquired, and was intended to relaunch as a B2C company. Because of this, their new brand image would need to convey a greater purpose and speak to the design-conscious target group of Scandinavian homeowners. In response, the Stockholm-based agency defined a visual language that sets Nimly apart from the technically complex smart home context, instead focusing on the softer benefits of feeling both safe and having a warm and open home where family members and friends feel welcome.

Created by independent graphic and motion designer Lucía Peralta and illustrator Beatriz Peralta, Las Margaritas’ identity is imbued with traditional character and minimalist elements. Located in the north of Madrid, Las Margaritas is a renewed concept of ‘Casa de Comidas,’ a traditional Spanish restaurant. The core focus of the experience is to make people feel at home, offering classic courses from Spanish cuisine. As a result, the duo developed a pared-back look alongside a recognisable illustration style inspired by spontaneous notes written with a BIC pen on a bar napkin. To complement the linear illustrations, Peralta opted for a timeless and classic pairing of Times Now SemiLight and Helvetica. 

Navlandis has successfully tackled a problem that has baffled designers since the 1980s – creating the first foldable maritime container. For its identity, A Coruña-based designer Illán Vega Pablo developed an industrial-looking logomark based on the concept of ‘thinking outside the box.’ The block-like, rectangular form is detached from the wordmark and evokes a door-like structure. The rest of the brand elements are straightforward, complementing the forms of the logo with square-cut typography and the vibrant blue colour palette.

Studio Herrström had the opportunity to work with Stage, an app focused on discovering the next generation of stars in music. By combining the best aspects of The Voice and TikTok, Stage’s unique round-by-round competition format allows aspiring artists to showcase their talents and gain visibility among supportive fans and audiences. Designed to stand out within the sea of content, its identity is centred around a symbol with multiple meanings.

On one hand, it represents an elimination tournament bracket. At the same time, it serves as a play button and an abstract equaliser, creating a bold visual element that captures the essence of the platform. The Stage coin symbol was also designed, acting as a reward for winning competitions in the app. From the coin symbol, a pattern was developed that references the career paths of evolving artists. These two symbols, in combination with the career-path pattern, create a dynamic design system that works across all touchpoints of the brand and product.