Studio Vico

Sylvia Hungria has always been drawn to the power of good design. Growing up in a creative family, with a grandfather who was a modernist architect (that worked with Oscar Niemeyer designing Brasilia) and a mother who’s a world renowned botanical illustrator.

Surrounded by a rich artistic heritage, Sylvia’s curiosity about design started at a young age. She recalls being fascinated by the simplest things — like the label on a bottle of Ajax cleaning product. At just ten years old, she asked her mother, “Who designs these things? How do you design the label on it?” This early intrigue sparked a lifelong passion for design, eventually shaping her career.

Originally from Brazil, Sylvia moved to Australia in 2002 to study Interior Design. After completing her course in Brisbane, she moved to Melbourne to pursue Visual Merchandising at RMIT. Her design career took off when she joined the now international brand T2 Tea in 2005 as the in-house graphic designer, where she honed her creative skills in branding, packaging design, and marketing. In 2011, she took the leap to start her own studio, Studio Vico — named after her childhood nickname.

Studio Vico is a design studio that blends Sylvia’s talents in graphic design, interior design, and visual merchandising to help businesses create meaningful brands. Her work spans a variety of industries, from fashion and food to beauty and beyond. Whether it’s designing packaging, creating brand identities, or developing marketing campaigns, Sylvia loves the variety her work offers.

“Owning my own studio means I get to work on a wide variety of briefs,” Sylvia explains. “I meet so many interesting people, and I love the dynamic nature of my work. It’s always inspiring to collaborate with clients, learn and create something magical together.”

But design isn’t just about work for Sylvia — it’s also about community. Having lived between North & West Melbourne for over 15 years, she’s become deeply connected to the area. She’s passionate about supporting local businesses and championing the vibrant, multicultural neighbourhood.

In 2021, she was hired to rebrand the North & West Melbourne Precinct Association, a project that allowed her to showcase the area’s unique identity. Shortly after, she was honoured to be elected President of the Association, where together with her passionate team, she advocates for local growth and the wellbeing of businesses in the area.

Her work with the Precinct Association is a natural extension of her design practice. For Sylvia, design is all about creating something that works and connects with people. She believes good design has the power to bring communities together and support businesses in meaningful ways.

“It’s about telling a story, building relationships and a sense of collectiveness, and making things better for everyone involved,” she says.

Looking ahead, Sylvia is excited to continue growing both Studio Vico and her work with the Precinct Association. “I’m always looking for new ways to evolve as a designer and to support our local businesses,” she says. Whether she’s working on a new branding project or supporting a local initiative, Sylvia’s goal is always the same: to make a positive impact through design.

In everything she does, Sylvia is proof that design is not just about what things look like — it’s about how they make people feel, and how they help communities thrive.