I’m Cecilia Righini (they/them) — Creative Director, founder of Studio Lutalica, and an advocate for accessibility as a creative and strategic standard (not an afterthought). I work with feminist and LGBTQ+ communities because representation isn’t enough: people need tools, infrastructure, and communications that actually work in real life.
My work spans brand and digital direction, accessibility, and design leadership. Whether I’m supporting a team fractionally or leading a defined project, I bring the same approach: make it clear, make it usable, make it values-aligned, and make it sustainable to maintain.
I also guest lecture, speak, and sit on juries — sharing practical frameworks for inclusive design, and helping raise the bar for what “good” looks like.
Current Roles
since Oct 2020
Founder + Creative Director
Studio Lutalica
Founded and built Studio Lutalica from the ground up—a non-profit design and web agency supporting women and LGBTQ+ communities. Led the studio through 200+ projects for 110+ clients across four continents, growing the team to include four employees, 15 contractors, and a board of eight directors. Transitioned the business from a limited company to a Community Interest Company in 2024, embedding social impact into the core structure. Delivered £26,000+ in pro-bono services to grassroots organisations and change makers.
since Oct 2020
Founder + Creative Director
Studio Lutalica
Founded and built Studio Lutalica from the ground up—a non-profit design and web agency supporting women and LGBTQ+ communities. Led the studio through 200+ projects for 110+ clients across four continents, growing the team to include four employees, 15 contractors, and a board of eight directors. Transitioned the business from a limited company to a Community Interest Company in 2024, embedding social impact into the core structure. Delivered £26,000+ in pro-bono services to grassroots organisations and change makers.
since Aug 2025
Board Member
Firstport
Trustee at Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs, supporting social enterprises across Scotland through funding programs, business support, and development initiatives.
since Aug 2025
Board Member
Firstport
Trustee at Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs, supporting social enterprises across Scotland through funding programs, business support, and development initiatives.
since Oct 2024
Board Member
Equality Network
Trustee at Scotland's national LGBTQ+ equality and human rights charity, contributing to strategic direction, governance, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities across Scotland.
since Oct 2024
Board Member
Equality Network
Trustee at Scotland's national LGBTQ+ equality and human rights charity, contributing to strategic direction, governance, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities across Scotland.
since Nov 2024
Board Member
Proud Futures
Board member supporting the organisation's work in LGBTQ+ leadership development, training, and wellbeing programmes.
since Nov 2024
Board Member
Proud Futures
Board member supporting the organisation's work in LGBTQ+ leadership development, training, and wellbeing programmes.
since May 2024
Visiting Lecturer
University of the Arts London
Guest lecturer on the Design Management BA, delivering workshops on accessibility, intersectional design, and values-led creative leadership.
since May 2024
Visiting Lecturer
University of the Arts London
Guest lecturer on the Design Management BA, delivering workshops on accessibility, intersectional design, and values-led creative leadership.
since 2023
Member of Jury Panel
Award Bodies (Multiple)
Jury member for design and entrepreneurship awards, contributing expertise to assess entries and recognise values-led, inclusive creative work (including Lovies, PRINT Awards, StartUp Awards)
since 2023
Member of Jury Panel
Award Bodies (Multiple)
Jury member for design and entrepreneurship awards, contributing expertise to assess entries and recognise values-led, inclusive creative work (including Lovies, PRINT Awards, StartUp Awards)
Awards
Jun 2025
Queer Leader Awards
We Create Space
Recognised as Queer Leader in Media & Creative Influence, honoring those who use media, arts, or creative expressions to advocate for and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities.
Jun 2025
Queer Leader Awards
We Create Space
Recognised as Queer Leader in Media & Creative Influence, honoring those who use media, arts, or creative expressions to advocate for and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities.
Nov 2024
Entrepreneur of the Year
Great British Entrepreneur Awards
Winner of the following categories in Scotland:
Randal Charitable Foundation, recognising entrepreneurship with a strong social purpose and charitable impact.
Young Entrepreneur, recognising high-performing early-career founders and business leaders.
Nov 2024
Entrepreneur of the Year
Great British Entrepreneur Awards
Winner of the following categories in Scotland:
Randal Charitable Foundation, recognising entrepreneurship with a strong social purpose and charitable impact.
Young Entrepreneur, recognising high-performing early-career founders and business leaders.
Mar 2025
Wise100 List
NatWest WISE100
Named on the WISE100 list, which spotlights and celebrates leading women and non-binary people driving social enterprise, impact, and mission-led business.
Mar 2025
Wise100 List
NatWest WISE100
Named on the WISE100 list, which spotlights and celebrates leading women and non-binary people driving social enterprise, impact, and mission-led business.
Jan 2024
Businesswoman of the Year
Great British Businesswoman Awards
Won Creative Businesswoman of the Year, recognising excellence and leadership in the UK’s creative industries and creative entrepreneurship.
Jan 2024
Businesswoman of the Year
Great British Businesswoman Awards
Won Creative Businesswoman of the Year, recognising excellence and leadership in the UK’s creative industries and creative entrepreneurship.
Workshops + Events
18.02.26
Inclusive Communications: The Why and the How
Future of Greater Manchester
18.02.26
Inclusive Communications: The Why and the How
Future of Greater Manchester
13.03.25
Rethinking Design: Intersectionality, Sustainability & Feminist New Materialism
Lightful
13.03.25
Rethinking Design: Intersectionality, Sustainability & Feminist New Materialism
Lightful
05.03.25
Why a Queer Lens is Key to Problem Solving
Agencies for Good
05.03.25
Why a Queer Lens is Key to Problem Solving
Agencies for Good
29.02.24
Leading with Feminism: Crafting your Manifesto
Lighful
29.02.24
Leading with Feminism: Crafting your Manifesto
Lighful
06.03.24
LGBT+ Identities at Work
The University of Edinburgh
06.03.24
LGBT+ Identities at Work
The University of Edinburgh
21.09.23
Collective Anomalies: The Silent Screen
London College of Communication x London Design Festival
21.09.23
Collective Anomalies: The Silent Screen
London College of Communication x London Design Festival
20.09.22
Designing a Strategy Report
Adobe Live
20.09.22
Designing a Strategy Report
Adobe Live
07.07.22
Designing with Developers + Diverse Audiences in Mind: Collaborating Across Disciplines + Designing Inclusively
Queer Design Club Summit
07.07.22
Designing with Developers + Diverse Audiences in Mind: Collaborating Across Disciplines + Designing Inclusively
Queer Design Club Summit
11.03.22
Breaking Barriers: How To Create a Feminist/LGBT+ Business
The University of Edinburgh
11.03.22
Breaking Barriers: How To Create a Feminist/LGBT+ Business
The University of Edinburgh
17.06.2021
Designing for Advocacy
General Assembly
17.06.2021
Designing for Advocacy
General Assembly
16–17.12.20
Designing an Editorial Book
Adobe Live
16–17.12.20
Designing an Editorial Book
Adobe Live
Media
06.03.24
Podcast Interview
Scale HER Up
Designing for the Margins, hosted by Brenda Hector
06.03.24
Podcast Interview
Scale HER Up
Designing for the Margins, hosted by Brenda Hector
Commentary/Feature
PinkNews
IWD 2026: How LGBTQ women are fighting for equality at work (06.03.26)
The regressive work culture trends fuelling the LGBTQ+ pay gap (01.03.24)
Pay gaps, misogyny and homophobia: How queer women and non-binary folk are fighting for equality at work (08.03.23)
Commentary/Feature
PinkNews
IWD 2026: How LGBTQ women are fighting for equality at work (06.03.26)
The regressive work culture trends fuelling the LGBTQ+ pay gap (01.03.24)
Pay gaps, misogyny and homophobia: How queer women and non-binary folk are fighting for equality at work (08.03.23)
Commentary/Feature
Metro
Pride doesn’t come cheap — the LGBTQ+ “queer tax” has cost us thousands (01.06.25)
Commentary/Feature
Metro
Pride doesn’t come cheap — the LGBTQ+ “queer tax” has cost us thousands (01.06.25)
11.06.24
ESEN Interviews #2 — Studio Lutalica
Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network
Interview video
11.06.24
ESEN Interviews #2 — Studio Lutalica
Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network
Interview video
Commentary/Feature
Glamour
What does non-binary mean? Understanding gender identity, pronouns and more (10.06.24)
Commentary/Feature
Glamour
What does non-binary mean? Understanding gender identity, pronouns and more (10.06.24)
Commentary/Feature
Design Week
How can the industry make design careers seem more accessible? (08.09.23)
“Where have the women gone?”: exploring industry equality (08.03.23)
Commentary/Feature
Design Week
How can the industry make design careers seem more accessible? (08.09.23)
“Where have the women gone?”: exploring industry equality (08.03.23)
Commentary/Feature
It's Nice That
Explore queer design history through Days of Rage, a new online exhibition documenting LGBTQIA+ activist posters (15.06.22)
Studio Lutalica helps LGBTQ+ and feminist organisations to communicate their purpose (15.07.21)
Commentary/Feature
It's Nice That
Explore queer design history through Days of Rage, a new online exhibition documenting LGBTQIA+ activist posters (15.06.22)
Studio Lutalica helps LGBTQ+ and feminist organisations to communicate their purpose (15.07.21)