The Edit: five projects including the upbeat, infectious joy of STUDIO WORK’s identity for Songlit

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.

“Every moment should be lit up by song,” reads Songlit’s tagline. Designed by STUDIO WORK, a full-service creative studio based in Australia, their brand identity – peppered with a poppy, youthful blend of bright pastels and playful illustrations – echoes this joyful spirit. The brand also incorporates animated elements that further bring the look to life. Founded in Los Angeles, the music platform allows customers to order custom songs from unique artists worldwide, encouraging users to utilise music as a tool for brightening the world of their favourite people. The illustration-forward visual language features the talents of Canada-based illustrator Ty Dale, whose distinctive linear illustrations – brought to life through energetic animations – reflect the limitless potential of the platform’s offerings.

When you first see the branding for CARTE BLANCHE, a music production studio based in Los Angeles, the hot pink immediately hits you in the face; the unexpected, bright, and playful hue is impossible to miss. The branding exudes a rebellious and wild spirit, breaking away from norms and rules, and stylistically exploring the idea of ‘Carte Blanche’ – which represents the freedom to act as one wishes – through the use of the Joker motif. Depicted with a squiggly dancing form and near-abstract features, the Joker serves as both a mascot and a pattern. The impactful design is enhanced by the use of chunky type and a combination of a black and off-white palette. The creative direction was provided by New Studio’s Axel Peemoeller and Rita Matos, alongside Pedro Meireis, who worked on the design and website programming.

After over 30 years of working with both the commercial and non-profit sectors (representing a gamut of boundary-pushing, defiant, and inspiring photographers and filmmakers), renowned photographic agency Panos Pictures has expanded its business by launching Panos Prints, a platform for curating and selling high-quality prints. Glasgow-based strategic design practice Need played a crucial role in developing the brand, the digital assets, and web design for Panos Prints, communicating their ethos with thoughtful authenticity. The platform aims to start conversations and engage a wide audience in exploring social issues through photography. More than just an online shop, the pared-back website, washed in soft, muted shades, champions the power of storytelling, showcasing conversations and interviews, allowing the work of the photographers to shine, while inspiring and engaging audiences.

What began as a response to the 36-day typography challenge for the UK-based type foundry The Northern Block has now transformed into an extraordinary typeface crafted with a meaningful purpose. Maggy is not only a versatile and captivating display typeface, but it stands as a testament to the immense and positive influence that design can wield. The Northern Block has made a commitment to donate all the proceeds from the sale of this typeface to the cancer charity Maggie’s. It embodies a fusion of creativity and compassion, paying homage to unconventional design and serving as a platform for experimental typography. The font features one display style and over 310 glyphs; additionally, it offers OpenType features like proportional and tabular figures, six stylistic sets, and language support for Western, Southern, and Central Europe. The foundry hopes for this typeface to ignite the inspiration in fellow creators, urging them to channel their skills towards good causes.

With a loyal social following of more than 590k followers, Melbourne-based influencer Jessica Alizzi is known for her focus on masculinity, minimalism, and timelessness. When launching her ceremonial-grade matcha tea brand HIKUU (pronounced hy-koo), it was essential that the design reflected the core themes of simplicity, natural elements, and the beauty of imperfection. Designed by Ashley Simonetto, the resulting visual language, seen in both digital and packaging outputs, embraces minimalism, with a strong, yet modest wordmark. This deliberate approach allows for a dedicated focus on materiality, with the use of textured papers and artistic emboss finishes that enhance the tactile experience.