My name is Kilian and I am an editorial designer from the Netherlands. Let’s Explore Magazine is a curiosity-driven passion project that I launched in 2015 alongside my full-time job. I wanted to create a publication that is completely detached from outside influences, where the quality of the content and production value come first and which provides space for anybody to get published.

I believe that everybody has a meaningful story to share. I am certain that for every story told, there is at least one person out there that can benefit from that story. One is more than none, so every story matters! That is why I want to help share those stories in my magazine.

Curiosity Driven

My curiosity-driven intention, translated into Let’s Explore as the title for my magazine. When I first started with this project, Let’s Explore was mostly attributed to literal exploration, hence the amount of actual travel-related content in the first two issues. But Let’ Explore also stands for a figurative way of discovering. It stands for exploring new territories in terms of different interpretations of the same theme. It stands for both the positive and negative experiences that come with a certain occurrence. It stands for a diversity of storytellers. It stands for the inclusion of as many different voices as possible. And ultimately, it stands for showing a sincere interest in and learning from all of these facets, in order to be able to move forward with new and inspiring knowledge.

Vision

Over time and informed by the process of making the magazine, I decided to commit to making the magazine and Let’s Explore Publishers about something bigger. I redefined my vision: “I believe in a world in which people are open-minded and sincerely curious about what others have to say, to learn from the stories of others and strive to live an inspired and inspiring life.”

Time

This requires time though. Something most of us struggle to find. Myself included. Slowly but surely I am finding my own way of dealing with the constant pressure of creating, sharing, absorbing and doing – instead of being. Often, I am my own worst enemy and it is something I am learning to deal with. Initially, I almost perceived my endless curiosity as a curse. I struggled with the fact that there were so many exciting things to do, to learn or to at least try, that it frustrated me immensely that I could not find the time to do it all. The downside was, that the energy that arose from these frustrations was mainly negative. So much so, that I could actually lose interest in something because not being able to do something else irritated me. I have to keep reminding myself that the magazine is a when-ready project and I am the only person that determines the rules.

Why I do what I do

Let’s Explore Magazine is the closest that comes to a proof of concept of how I would describe an ultimate way of creating a publication without too many constraints. My magazine evolves with every single issue, alongside my own growth as a storyteller, publisher, designer and human being. I am learning from the entire process and taking those lessons to heart, so I can apply them with the following issues. But I will never lose sight of my intention: “Creating a meaningful publication, in a mindful manner, focusing on the quality of the stories, in collaboration with storytellers from across the globe and sharing the end result when I think the magazine is ready”.

The publication is as much about the process as it is about the final product. The process and lessons I learn during the making of the magazine elevate the issue I am working on at that particular moment as well as influence the issues that follow. Approaching storytelling projects in a mindful manner, taking the time to create and not letting outside influences dictate the speed by which I create is where I found strength and I feel that I end up with a better product. There is only one moment where I can tell a story for the first time and there is only one instance in which people come in contact with a project for the first time. There is no second chance for a first impression.