Explorers Studio is a creative studio grounded in collaboration and rooted in the belief that good design can elevate the human experience.
MEET THE STUDIO
Founded in 2013, Explorers Studio is a Richmond-based design studio with a focus on environmental and experiential graphic design. With over a decade of experience, we’ve partnered with museums, cultural and academic institutions, and historic sites to bring untold stories to life through spaces that invite discovery and connection.
Led by interdisciplinary designer and founder Jillian Columbus, Explorers Studio brings together strategic thinking, visual storytelling, and technical precision to create cohesive, meaningful designs.
Our work is guided by curiosity, clarity, and care. We bridge two- and three-dimensional design to craft experiences that feel seamless and intentional. Collaboration is at the heart of every project, from concept to installation, ensuring each detail serves both story and space.
As a small studio, we take a hands-on approach that keeps communication clear and projects personal. Clients work directly with the team designing their space, benefiting from continuity, responsiveness, and thoughtful execution at every stage. Explorers studio is best known for our personalized service, attention to detail, and creative thinking.
Whether through exhibit design or wayfinding systems, our goal remains the same: to craft experiences that bring untold stories to life, invite discovery, and connect people to ideas, place, and each other.
Explorers Studio is SWaM and Micro Business certified in Virginia And registered in the federal SAM vendor database.
KIND WORDS
Working with Explorers Studio has been a rewarding experience for the Virginia Holocaust Museum. When we started planning to refurbish our permanent exhibits, we looked at half a dozen designers in Central Virginia and sought advice from colleagues at local institutions. Explorers Studio quickly rose to the top of our list. The designs consistently demonstrate outstanding quality and a deep sensitivity to the subject matter. She brings a level of thoughtfulness and maturity that transforms difficult history into meaningful, impactful experiences for our visitors. We couldn’t be more pleased with the work.
—TIMOTHY HENSLEY, VIRGINIA HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
CONNECT
