EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS
Designing a Gateway to Columbus
An immersive welcome center blending storytelling, retail, and experiential design.
Quick Project Stats:
Client: Experience Columbus
Location: Columbus, OH
Scope: Experiential Design, Visual Merchandising, Retail Strategy
Completion: February 2026
A New First Impression for the City
ZenGenius was selected as the Experiential Design Team for the new Columbus Welcome Center, developed in partnership with Experience Columbus.
Opening February 5, the space was envisioned as more than an information hub—it’s a destination designed to inspire exploration, connection, and pride in the city.
Through a layered approach to storytelling, retail, and spatial design, the Welcome Center invites visitors and locals alike to engage with Columbus in a meaningful and memorable way.
“I am sitting here this morning in the space and am finally able to take it all in… Every time I look around, I see something I didn’t notice before. I cannot imagine having taken this journey with another team.”
— Michelle Wilson | Senior Director | Destination Experience | Experience Columbus
Designing for Discovery
The goal was to create an intuitive and engaging guest journey—one that reflects the diversity, energy, and culture of Columbus.
Every touchpoint was designed to:
Encourage exploration
Highlight local stories and businesses
Create moments of interaction and pause
Blend information with experience
The ZenGenius 5-Phase Creative Process
A collaborative framework designed to align strategy, creativity, and execution—at every step.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Detailed 3D renderings played a critical role in aligning teams, refining ideas, and ensuring every design decision translated seamlessly into the built environment.
This phase allowed stakeholders to fully experience the space before construction began—minimizing guesswork and maximizing clarity.
Layered Experiences Within the Space
Every element was designed to contribute to a cohesive and immersive environment—where storytelling and space work as one.
More Than a Welcome Center
The Columbus Welcome Center redefines what a visitor experience can be—transforming a traditional information space into an immersive, design-forward destination.
It serves as:
A hub for discovery
A platform for local businesses
A space for connection and storytelling
ZenGenius’s approach ensures that every detail—material, layout, and interaction—supports a unified and engaging experience.
The Finished Space
Let’s Build Something Experiential
From concept to installation, we design spaces that tell stories, engage audiences, and elevate brands.