Everything you need to know about RAY KAMPF, but may be afraid to ask

Where is he from?
Born outside Philadelphia
Undergraduate at Temple University and Kutztown University
Worked for various Philadelphia ad agencies
Moved to Miami to work for an Entertainment Design Firm
Moved to Orlando to freelance and teach at a fledgling art school
Summer in Austria with Kutztown University
Graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University

What does he do?
Creates, Researches, Interprets, Produces and shares the Knowledge

How does he do it?
Uses a variety of mediums associated with Graphic Design

Why does he do it?
Because it's what sometimes needs to be done

On Art:
"I may not know what Art is, but I know what I like" is that old chestnut that may be true to some people, but to me is an invalid statement. The reason is that it gives the impression that Art, in order for it to exist as Art, must be liked. This is not true. Art can be liked or disliked. Art is the visual expression of someone who must depict their emotions on paper, clay, canvas, or any other medium that they feel would best express their rage, sorrow, or grief, or joy. It is the passion that makes an Artist, and what they create is Art.

On Graphic Design:
Graphic Design is thought of as the cool and polished brother of the more flamboyant and loose Fine Art. It is controlled. It is an ad campaign, a billboard or a website. But it is not good to relegate Graphic Design, as is often the case, to the sterile study, creation and arrangement of letterforms, flat planes of color, shape and line simply for visual candy or commercial use. In reality, there is a significant amount of Art in Graphic Design and vice-versa.

On Communication Design:
I consider myself a Communication Designer. My training allows me to concentrate on what the message is, and the best way to convey it. Although I mostly rely on the tools of the Graphic Designer, I often find myself needing to learn aspects of communication that are not always visual.
My art takes me into realms of audio, theatrical and kinetic design. I could have only achieved this by knowing about typography and print publication, in addition to sculpture, literature and not being afraid to take on new challenges. With this, my Art/Design is a strong combination of heart, hand and head.

On Teaching Graphic Design:
What does a Student want to know? What does a student need to know?

Someone wanting to enter into a career of Design, graphic or communication is often perplexed because the design field is often fragmented on an academic level and yet incestuous a professional level. Advertising and marketing is blended with graphics and branding, so that a designer is sometimes called upon to wear many hats. And as I have found, a communication designer, trained mostly in graphics, often finds himself with opportunities to work in three-dimensional realms, dealing with architects, engineers and the textile industry. I believe that it is important that students be made aware of the possibilities that are open to them by studying design.
Design is a building block. It is an essential part in every day living. Yet it is often taken for granted by the public and glorified by its practitioners. Design is a language. I believe that it must be taught at an early age but refined as a student grows. This is important to me because, students of design must continue to push not only the boundaries of discipline but also how the discipline is applied and how it is presented to non-designers.
Our society has not put a premium on the arts. Yet the arts are what we live for; they are our pursuit of happiness. Design has too long been pushed under the umbrella of visual arts with painting and sculpture, and although artists and designers very often use the same tools, the goals and the processes differ. But because of Design’s association with the arts, it is sorely been misunderstood, misrepresented and in some cases miss taught. Design is not only learning the mechanics of Quark or Photoshop, but the whys of the image that is being created.
For a student to excel in the field of design, I believe that he must understand the root of what is, and why is, good design; to understand what the theory is, and equally how to apply the theory. With that as a strong foundation, a designer can grow and apply his skills into any discipline he desires.

Professional Research and Work:
Prior to Grad School, I worked in Orlando studying the manipulation of spaces for entertainment purposes. In other words Theme Parks and Restaurants. What I began to notice is how the same process used in creating these unreal worlds were also being employed by politicians, organized religions, news organizations and corporations in order to manipulate the real world. The visual design in this process was often a key ingredient to making the deception work. My research and current artwork is to expand upon this explanation of the creation of the worlds Fauxtopia.

Recipient of:
2004 Outstanding Graduate Student Award at VCU School of the Arts
1992 Cruex Limerick Writing Contest Award
         *The winning entry:
         A determined young biker named Lance
         Came in last in the Great Tour de France
         But could heat his chateau
         And half of Bordeaux
         With the fire he had in his pants

Publications:
The Orlando Weekly - contributing columnist
The Bear Handbook - author and illustrator

Favorite Living Artists: Greg Crewsden, Gilbert and George, Kara Walker

Favorite Dead Artists: Rene Magritte, Marcel Duchamp, ManRay

Been to: Australia, Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, England, Canada, Spain,
France, Hong Kong, Macau, Portugal, Italy, China, Japan, Qatar and 49 of the 50 states

Bernard Pivot Questionnaire
What is Your Favorite Word?
         Benign
What is your Least Favorite Word?
         Interesting (when looking at art)
         Basically
         Cancer
What Turns You On?
         Self Confidence
What Turns You Off?
         Arrogance
What Sound Do You Love?
         Bagpipes
What Sound Do You Hate?
         Somone saying "I should have"
What is Your Favorite Curse Word?
         Ask me when it's off the record
What Profession Other Than Yours Would You Like To Attempt?
         Restaurant/Theater Critic
What Profession Would You Not like To Practice?
         Banker
If Heaven Exists, What Would You Like To Hear God Say When You Arrive At The Pearly Gates?
         'I have some people I want  you to meet'