People often ask me, "what is your favorite project?" I almost always smile and say, "that's a great question". The reality is that I don't know how to answer that question, and I don't feel it's an easy one to answer. It's almost like I would be doing all other projects a disservice, or like being asked who is your favorite child...your son or your daughter? There is no favorite, and each has their own personality, quirks, issues, accomplishments, and characteristics that make you love and adore them, as well as things that frustrate you. Hmmmm...is he talking about the projects or his kids...?

In my time at Taylor Studios, I've been involved in quite a few projects. Each project holds different memories and different learning experiences. Each has moments where I felt extreme pride and others which I was relieved when we were done. No matter what, I can look back on every single project and reflect on stories and on lessons learned that helped shape who I am now as a person and professional.

The World Fishing Center is where my passion for fabrication and creating was ignited. Its where I cut my teeth on the production side of things and it galvanized for me that I was doing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It's where a young graphic designer was asked to jump in and help the team get the job done. It's where I was provided multiple opportunities to learn and grow by sculpting large models, painting on murals, suspending models from the ceiling, embedding models in the floor, and the list goes on.

Dillon Nature Center is my 9/11 memory, which so many of us have. I was on the phone with the director of the nature center when it was happening. I remember sharing that fearful and sad moment in time with a man who to this day I consider a friend and hold in high regard. I remember the health issues he was dealing with, and I also remember another team member on his staff that was dealing with tragic, unfortunate circumstances at home. I remember this man putting his arm around me and saying, "I'm not worried, Jason. I trust you guys, and know that Taylor Studios will make it right". We had a "snaffoo", that's a technical term, with a mechanical interactive not functioning correctly. There were so many cool mechanical interactives and exhibits we designed and built at this nature center, that I could go on and on about but it would make this an even longer read. We learned so much as a company and I as an exhibit designer and project manager.

Stone Mountain is a project that I feel pushed me and helped me know what I could do professionally. I was asked to project manage our largest contract at the time, and I remember feeling good that Joe Taylor and Betty trusted me to do it. I also remember learning to work with an architect on a large renovation, and team up with a subcontractor to design a large scale lighting production. I oversaw another subcontractor in directing live actors and the production of a video for our theater exhibit. It was also my first time working with a sidearm carrying fire marshal who was very hard to please. My best memory of this project is the lasting relationships with the client and team that we worked with. I also remember great German food...just saying.

Albany Pine Bush is one I remember being very uneasy and nervous when interviewing to possibly be awarded the contract. I was asked to project manage this one, and there was much emphasis on the project manager's abilities and experience in deciding who won the project. Before our presentation, we ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant and ran through what we would say and do. There were these lizard clips that they gave you on your folded napkin, and Joe Taylor dared me to wear it on my tie during the presentation. Well, I wasn't going to let Joe win, so I did. It helped me be myself and relax for the presentation. We were awarded the project, and the director told me that the lizard helped in his decision making. He said that the lizard showed him that we like to have fun and are down to earth. He said that if he was going to work with a company and talk to a project manager day in and day out for over a year, then he wanted to feel comfortable with who he had to spend his time with. I'm friends with Mike to this day, and from time to time, even though he's retired, we check-in and talk about how our families are doing.

I hope you now have a better understanding of why it's so hard to choose a "favorite project". We aren't just designing engaging exhibits that tell stories. We aren't just building extremely cool environments that inspire visitors. We aren't just providing clients with a quality product and experience that is teaching the public. We are building relationships, and making lasting friendships and memories. We are growing and learning from our experiences with our clients, and along those journeys, we are making mistakes and also solving problems. We are all hopefully learning who we are and how to be better.