A studio for spaces and places
A Black-owned, woman-led design-build studio in Austin, Texas, crafting sign design, wayfinding and environmental branding that transform how people experience spaces and places.
A design-build studio for spaces and places
Studio Dzo is a design-build studio in Austin, Texas, crafting thoughtful brands and creative signage for the places where people gather, work and find their way. We partner with designers, architects, developers and business owners from first concept to final install.
We're a Black-owned, woman-led, Texas-certified Historically Underutilized Business — and we believe the best work comes from real partnership. Our approach is built on trust and honesty, and on a simple promise: do good work, for good people, with good people.
- Design-build: one partner, concept to install
- Award-winning ADA & wayfinding programs
- Black-owned, woman-led, Texas-certified HUB
Owner + Creative Director
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Years crafting signage in Austin
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Signage & wayfinding programs
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TSA design awards & honors
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Design-build, handled in-house
Signage that's clear, accessible and unmistakably yours
From a single monument sign to a full campus wayfinding program, every Studio Dzo project balances brand, function and code — without ever losing the human experience.
Design-build under one roof
Design, engineering, fabrication and installation from a single, accountable partner.
Accessibility by default
ADA and TAS compliance built in from the first sketch — never bolted on at the end.
Partners, not clients
We build lasting relationships on trust and honesty, and it shows in the work.
Award-winning craft
Recognized by the Texas Sign Association for signage, wayfinding and environmental graphics.
From first conversation to final install
A collaborative, transparent process — as focused on the partnership as it is on the sign itself.
- 01
Discover
We learn your brand, your space and your goals, then research the codes and constraints that shape what's possible.
- 02
Design
Concepts, materials and lighting come together into signage that's on-brand, accessible and buildable.
- 03
Engineer & Permit
We engineer for structure and code, then handle city permitting from application to approval.
- 04
Build & Install
Fabricated in-house and installed by our team — typically 6–8 weeks after permit approval.
The crew behind the work
Russell Toynes
Owner + Creative Director
Elizabeth Arenella Toynes
Owner + Controller
Kristina Freres
Project Manager
Jordan Braithwaite
Art Director
A track record across Texas
- 2025
Design Award — Miscellaneous Signage
Texas Sign Association
- 2023
Design Award — Integrated Wayfinding
Texas Sign Association
- 2022
Design Award — Freestanding Sign
Texas Sign Association
- 2024
Certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)
State of Texas
- 2017
Studio Founded in Austin, Texas
Studio Dzo
Ready to do good work together?
Tell us about your space, your brand and your goals. Whether it's a single monument sign or a full wayfinding program, we'd love to partner with you.