All Things Optic: Q4 2025
Q4 / A strong end to a fantastic year, a new studio, and a look ahead to the new year
Q4 often feels about maintaining momentum – tying off loose ends, pushing key projects over the line, and setting things up to start the new year on the front foot. Our 2025 Q4 was no exception. It was a focused, full-on finish to another standout year for Studio Optic, and one that’s left us feeling energised, proud, and ready for an incredibly exciting year ahead.
Alongside a heavy but really enjoyable and rewarding workload, we’ve been busy planning, shaping, and moving into our new studio space. From layout decisions to how the space will support collaboration and creativity, it’s been an enjoyable process — and a reminder that investing in how and where we work is just as important as the work itself.
On the work front, we’re proud to have delivered a substantial suite of geopolitical report designs for a new client with a growing range of output. These were complex, content-heavy publications that demanded quality, and clarity, consistency. Bringing them to life and seeing them land so successfully has been a real highlight, and a testament to a real team effort in a relatively short period of times across our editorial design output.
We also progressed some exciting new designs for Fenwick & Tilbrook – our longstanding client and a premium paint company known for their craft, quality, and depth of colour. It has been so satisfying to produce a range of designs that combine beautifully shot imagery with impactful colours, crafted iconography and considered typography.
Closer to home, we completed the branding for a new premium housing development. Working on something so local always brings an extra layer of meaning, and this project was no different. From naming through to visual identity, it was about creating a brand that feels confident, refined, and rooted in its surroundings. We can’t wait to share more on this one soon.
More than anything, this quarter reinforced the importance of ending the year well. Going the extra mile to ensure projects are completed, reflecting on what has been achieved, and creating space – mentally, creatively, and physically with our new studio – before the new year begins. As we head into 2026, we’re feeling recharged, refreshed, and ready to build on the momentum of 2025. We’re so proud of what we havr achieved, and excited to make the next year even bigger and better.
And, a final update on two wheels to close the year from me. I started this year with the goal of utilising cycling to increase my focus and productivity, and there’s no doubt whatsoever that this has been the case. From riding through the mud, frost and snow of the early months, to the rain, wind and flooding in the spring, with some hard-earned sunshine later in the year. I’ve had the pleasure of pedalling in Wales, Kielder, Girona, Mallorca, with plenty of new exploring closer to home to keep momentum on the mileage. On that topic, the total for the year came to 3,692 / 254 hours / 102,000ft.
The year was ended in suitable style, with a 110 mile ride to the coast and back to mark the Winter Solstice – the things we do for an embroidered patch!
I maintain that my best ideas usually seem to arrive whilst I’m on my bike, and with a new commute to look forward to, here’s hoping that 2026 brings more miles, more adventures, and even more fun out on the bike.
We have so much to share from behind the scenes at the studio right now, so feel free to give us a follow for updates on LinkedIn – and who knows, maybe even our Instagram too.
