As a client, creating a new exhibit can be a huge undertaking. The Request for Proposals is only the beginning of what may feel like a Voyage Into The Unknown. You have no map, no guide, and no idea what challenges are ahead. But someone has been there before, and in this case, Taylor Studios can help.

So here are several tedious monsters of exhibit design that you will encounter in the thriller that is your project’s story. If you have been involved with new exhibits before, all of the ugly realities I will lay out here will be familiar – familiar and survivable.

#1 You just don’t understand me!

Miscommunication will happen. But understanding your vision of what you want is one of our top priorities. Our Project Managers only seem like they are talking, emailing, and typing nonstop because they are. They are the mediators, translators, and coordinators that listen to you and help you understand what we are doing.

#2 When will this end?

The Design portion seems to take forever. Most of it happens in the background and there are no progress photos to show. We should probably do a minute-long film montage backed by some peppy music of our designers talking over ideas, drawing sketches, and typing copy, but that would be about as boring as it sounds. Design is when we take all of our grand ideas and figure out how they can become reality. And it takes a long time.

#3 It costs how much?

Exhibits are expensive. Part of it is the behind the scenes hours that go into the (seemingly endless) Design phase. Part of it is just how expensive the materials are when we build something to last at least ten years. And part of it is the skill of our production staff, who take concepts from the 2D Design world and make them solid, beautiful, and inspiring.

#4 Comments are due when?

You will feel pinched for time. Like many things in life, Design is characterized for the client by long periods of boredom punctuated by frantic activity. All of our behind the scenes work shows up at your desk as a packet of copy, drawings, and concepts that you need to review on a tight schedule. And we’re just as eager to get your comments back as you were to get the packet!

#5 Stop the presses!

Last minute changes to graphics are certain. Spellcheck failed to see mistakes, the scientist who needed to see the copy was on a field trip in Tanzania, or you realized you don’t have rights to the photo of the Rufous-sided Towhee you wanted to use. Believe me, it happens, and you’d be amazed at the lengths we have gone to get the changes made.

#6 This is anarchy!

Install is messy. Besides the strangers stomping through your building, there are tools, packaging, and noise everywhere. It’s a remodel, and you’re the homeowner. Luckily, our installers are some of the nicest people you’ll meet, and they clean up after themselves amazingly well. Once they’re done, all they leave behind are wonderful exhibits.

New exhibit nerves are perfectly understandable, but knowing more about what’s coming your way puts you back on firm ground. Don’t let these beastly worries sour what can be an exciting, enjoyable process. With Taylor Studios at your side, your exhibit design story will be an action movie, not a horror show.