I recently discovered that a few of my co-workers here at Taylor Studios are fans of documentarian Ken Burns. Ken Burns’ documentary The Civil War has been a valuable resource while working on exhibits for the Lincoln Heritage Museum in Lincoln, IL. Several of us refer to it from time to time while collaborating on the project. In reflecting on Mr. Burns’ work, I began to wonder what makes his work so appealing to me.

First, he is a welcome distraction from the shows found on television today. I can’t stand to watch “reality” TV. The idea that Americans will compete to “survive” in a location filled with actual starving residents seems backwards. I also have a short attention span, and the idea of watching a drama that may never end is terrifying. Ken Burns’ PBS documentaries provide me with a wholesome (limited duration), almost cathartic diversion from this type of programming.

Second, Burns’ documentaries appeal to my love of both history and nature. I have a fascination with certain periods of history, and do my best to learn more about those times, oftentimes through Burns’ documentaries. I also enjoy hiking, trail running, camping, mountain biking, and most anything that gets me outside. My wife and I have a goal of visiting all 58 of the National Parks someday. So far, we’ve made it to 8. I guess it’s a long term goal. When I think we might be faltering in our commitment to visit the other 50, I watch an episode of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea and re-dedicate myself on making it out to these amazing places.

Perhaps my favorite part of Mr. Burns’ talent is his ability to tell a story. He has a way of identifying all of the threads and storylines woven within his content, and presenting them to the viewer in an immersive and compelling way. I can read books all day about WWII, and watch archival footage taken during the fighting, but Burns’ The Civil War tells the stories of the men who fought the battles, links their stories together, and makes me think about them as men, as humans, as well as patriots immortalized in history books.

I think that Ken Burns’ work parallels what we do here at Taylor Studios. We offer services and products designed to be worthwhile learning experiences. When pop culture is brought into a design, it’s done objectively, so as to be studied and understood for its lasting cultural impact, rather than fleeting emotional worth. The nature centers and museums we design are distractions from the consumer culture outside their doors. They offer a chance to look into worlds otherwise unavailable to a visitor. We offer information about history, natural sciences, and all sorts of other subject matters. Assuming that we do this well, we tell a story. If we do it exceptionally well, we tell an engaging story. Every project we deliver has the opportunity to spark an interest for further learning, or to create a genuine passion within someone. At the very least, each project has the ability to cause someone already interested in the information to re-engage in what they already enjoy.