Team Spotlight: Getting to Know OTL’s Project Designer, Allison Long

While OTL is known throughout the USA and internationally for designing and building magnificent water features, rockwork and themed environments, our company’s true foundation is our people.

OTL simply would not be the same without our truly talented, dedicated, and caring team. To celebrate these extraordinary people, we have begun to spotlight team members who contribute to the success of our company.

This month, we introduce you to Project Designer Allison Long. Allison joined the firm three years ago and brings a wealth of talent, energy and creativity to OTL. She is an innovative individual and provides a fresh and unique perspective to each of her projects. Allison’s contributions invariably combine exceeding our clients’ needs and desires with delivering the beauty and functionality that are a hallmark of OTL’s projects.

Here are some of Allison’s viewpoints on working at OTL:

Role with the company:

As Project Designer, I have a wide range of responsibilities that include but are not limited to: show fountain programming and choreography, input on initial fountain design and nozzle layout, creation of pre-visualization videos that enable clients to see the benefit of the overall project, show fountain music selection, CAD drafting, cover drawing artist, and 3D modeling. I’m also beginning to work on Photoshop renderings with Chris Roy, our Director of Creative Design.

Favorite OTL project:

My favorite projects (sorry, I can’t pick just one!) would have to be Texas Live! and Renaissance at Colony Park, Phase II. Since I am focused on the fountain choreography, both of these projects allowed for me to stretch my creativity with the programming. The nozzle selections and layouts pushed my boundaries. Texas Live! was the first project in which OTL programmed fire nozzles into our choreography. I learned how to program and incorporate these incredible spectacles into the fountain shows, and the reward of seeing them ignite was astounding! Renaissance has an unexpected nozzle layout, including a wide variety of nozzle types, that allowed me to try many different programming techniques to deliver powerful shows. Renaissance fountain includes music, which inspired me to make the fountain movement as impactful as possible.

Fun fact about Allison:

I actually have two fun facts. First, I am a studio artist with a side business where I create custom paintings and drawings for customers. I once painted a basketball for a client! Second, I used to teach spin classes, and I have found the process of planning the structure of a spin class to be very similar to programming a song for a fountain. The job required knowledge of music structure, beats per minute, musical diversity (which is useful when I assist clients in choosing music for their fountain), and passion for the music.

Greatest accomplishment at the company:

My greatest accomplishment would have to be sparking joy in children and adults alike when they view the fountain shows, and feeling the connection between the audio and atmosphere. This includes the enthusiasm the previsualization videos generated when we show them to a potential client. When my visions finally come to life after months of brainstorming and work, and onlookers connect with my programming, I feel like I have accomplished my goal.

Future goals:

I look forward to pushing myself creatively in the different areas OTL has to offer, including show programming with new fountain designs, using new technology and programs, developing skills with renderings in order to create and sell new ideas – and getting people to dance along with the fountains, of course.

Stay tuned for Spotlights featuring more of OTL’s outstanding team members.