Bjorn in the USA: A Citizenship Celebration for a JRA Team Member

April 16, 2012

Bjorn Kemper: Designer, Husband, Father - American.

Last Friday, Senior Project Designer Bjorn Kemper said the Pledge of Allegiance and was sworn in as a United States citizen.  JRA observed the momentous occasion at this morning's staff meeting.  Before the presents were given and the cake cut, however, Chief Operating Officer, Dan Schultz, couldn't help but give Bjorn one last citizenship test with the following two crucial questions:

1) Who was the voice of Darth Vader in the American version of Star Wars? (A: James Earl Jones)

2) Who was the original CEO of Jack Rouse Associates?  (A: This is not a trick question)

Luckily, Björn passed with flying colors.  He was then presented with a copy of Jon Stewart's America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction, signed by the entire staff, as well as a brilliant poster created by fellow Senior Project Designer and graphics guru, Scot Ross. The festivities concluded with a mammoth American flag cake (what better way to celebrate America than with a junk food breakfast?).

Björn studied Architecture at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. He freelanced for German architects and various themed entertainment clients in Europe before coming to the US and joining JRA in 1999.  His recent projects include attraction and exhibit design for the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta and for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Björn also played a leading role in the planning, design and art direction of Science Centre Singapore’s atrium experience and well as for attractions within both HarborLand – a 40-acre theme park in Ningbo, China – and Volkswagen’s Autostadt in Wolfsburg, Germany. Additionally, Björn played a key role in JRA’s work on the ZDF Television Studios’ “Medienpark” attraction in Mainz, Germany. Other recent clients include Cirque du Soleil, The Field Museum, National Geographic and the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati. 

Björn's process to Americanization was a long and complicated one, as he sought to retain his citizenship to his native Germany.  Luckily, the process was successful, and Björn is now a dual citizen of both countries.  Here's what Björn had to say about the celebration this morning:

Just want to say thank you all so much! This was such an unexpected surprise!

The extremely difficult questions, far worse than one "What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?" - which took me 6 months to learn!
The poster with Umlaut-stars!
The American flag-sized cake!
The awesome book with the naked Supreme Court!
All proof that this is truly "the land of infinite possibilities" - or "das Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten" as we say in Germany.

Thanks again,
Bjorn ( formerly known as Björn )

Please join us in congratulating Bjorn.  We could not ask for a better member of our team and our country!

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Meet the Team: Bjorn Kemper

February 15, 2012

Senior Project Designer, Bjorn Kemper

Guten Tag!  For this Meet the Team segment, we're profiling Senior Project Designer (and German native), Bjorn Kemper.

From innovative dark rides, to magical theme park settings to contemporary museum galleries, Björn Kemper has established a reputation for delivering unique designs that immerse guests within one-of-kind environments.

 Björn studied Architecture at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. Since joining the studio in 1999, his background in architecture, design, illustration and themed entertainment has helped make him an integral team member to a variety of JRA’s more high profile projects. His recent work includes attraction planning and design for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, as well as the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. Björn also played aleading role in the planning, design and art direction of Science Centre Singapore’s atrium experience and for attractions within both HarborLand – a 40-acre theme park in Ningbo, China – and Volkswagen’s Autostadt in Wolfsburg, Germany. Björn is currently working on a number of attraction components for two JRA theme park projects set to open in Europe within the next two years.

As you can see, JRA prides itself on having a dynamic team of designers like Björn for a project's physical environments.  But we also pride ourselves on our stellar executive production team, which oversees every film and interactive media experience within an environment or attraction.  How does this process work?  We'll learn more about that in next week's segment, as we begin our three-part Media in Motion series.

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Just a Thought: A Sincere Thanks...

February 08, 2012

JRA Chief Executive Officer/Owner, Keith James

As we enter our 25th anniversary year, CEO Keith James reflects on his recent IAAPA Outstanding Service Award and offers his sincere thanks to all those who have helped him (and JRA) along the way.

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Those of you who know me personally know that my entire career has been behind the scenes, whether it’s been stage-managing a musical or overseeing the development of a theme park. This is a role I’ve always enjoyed and always preferred.
This past November, however, I stepped from behind the scenes and onto a stage in Orlando to receive IAAPA’s 2011 Outstanding Service Award. And while I have to admit that being the center of attention for those few minutes made me a bit nervous, I have also never felt so appreciative and humbled.

When I started in this crazy industry four decades ago, I had no idea how my work would come to influence every aspect of my life, in ways for which I am, and will always be, grateful. 

I met my lovely bride Patti while we both worked at Kings Island theme park. We’ve been married over 32 years now, and have two adult daughters: Alexis, who was born during my time at Expo ‘86 in Vancouver, and Chloe, who was born during my time at Australia’s Wonderland in Sydney. So you could say that this industry gave me my family, which by far is the most important
thing in the world to me.

My career has also introduced me to people who became lifelong friends.  Their friendship and support over the years has meant the world to me, both personally and professionally. I’ve had the chance to work with some incredibly talented individuals over the years, not the least of which are those with whom I share an office back in Cincinnati. My firm’s success is truly a result of their talent and commitment. One of the best parts about my job is that I get the chance to work with people who I genuinely admire and respect.

Due to the international nature of this business, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the globe and be exposed to an amazing array of cultures, exotic sites and fascinating people. And while my 9 million frequent flyer miles certainly haven’t come easy, the experiences that I’ve gained have been worth every mile.

Finally, I am very thankful for all of the clients who have entrusted JRA over the years with their hopes, dreams and projects. If not for them, I would not have had the career that I have enjoyed so much. It was with sincere appreciation that I accepted IAAPA’s kind award last November. It is something that I will always cherish.

One could say that the award is in recognition for what I’ve given to the industry over these many years. However, I will always look at it as a symbol of the many wonderful things that the industry has given to me.

 

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Meet the Team: Samantha Albert

February 01, 2012

JRA Co-op, Samantha Albert

Long walks, wolves and PB, J and banana sandwiches!?!  Must be time for a 5 Questions segment with another one of our blockbuster co-ops, Samantha Albert!

To get inspired, I go …
On obscenely long walks. Some people “sleep” on their problems; I walk all over them.  That is the only way I get through things and break through creative ruts. I'm sort of Julie Andrews circa The Sound of Music, except that I live in Clifton.

The biggest challenge being a designer is …
Not getting emotionally invested in what you're doing. I like helping people and fixing problems, and while that's a good thing to have in the back of your mind, sometimes it takes over, and it's hard to remember that design is about other people, not you. So when you REALLY like what you're working on, but it is completely ridiculous to the situation, that is not helping anyone.

If you had to be an animal, what would you pick?
I think I would be a wolf, which is a weird thing to say because I'm vegetarian and they most definitely are not herbivores. But I read Julie of the Wolves in second grade and it changed my life. There's just no coming back from that. I also like the pack dynamic of wolves.  They all look out for each other, which is neat.

My favorite person ever is …
Actually, there are two of them. I know that's cheating. But they're my sisters, so I can't just pick one because then the other one would hate me forever. And they're both kind of terrifying, so I wouldn't want that to happen. I live with Alyssa, who attends the University of Cincinnati with me and is in a rock band that just got signed (she's the lead singer)! And my youngest sister Stephanie is attending Ohio University for one of the best commercial photography programs in the nation, and she also speaks Japanese. (Are you intimidated yet? Because I am.)

My favorite sandwich is?
Peanut butter, strawberry jelly and sliced bananas on toasted bread. It's a weekend sandwich.

Thank you, Samantha.  And thank you out there for reading!  Tune in next week for another installment of JRA + blog, and in the meantime, beat the winter blues by supporting your local museum or attraction.  Cheers!

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Meet the Team: Justine Benzinger

January 10, 2012

JRA Co-op, Justine Benzinger

Welcome to our first Meet the Team of 2012!  If you are a regular reader (which, if you aren't, how about making it a resolution?) , you'll recall last month that we showcased the University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning as the nationally-lauded training ground for our first class co-ops.  Today, we'll be asking 5 questions of another one of future design stars, Justine Benzinger.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Skyline (Editor's Note: for the uninitiated, Skyline is Cincinnati's famous chili, concocted from a special (and some may say unusual) blend of chocolate, cinammon and spices). I can't go a week without having it. When I've worked in other cities my parents have had to ship me cans of it.

What sport do you enjoy watching/playing?
Anything and everything. I played basketball year-round growing up, but I also play sand volleyball, softball, flag football and tennis, and I run.

What's a quote that describes you?
“I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.” -Arthur Rubinstein

The biggest challenge being a designer is …
Not designing for yourself. It's very easy when you get a project to create the product you would want to buy, but you usually aren't the target market. If it was up to me, everything would be bright and colorful, but unfortunately not everyone feels that way.

My favorite part of the design process is …
The initial brainstorming phase. No idea is a bad idea yet, and you can think completely off the wall. An idea I threw out as a joke in a brainstorming session at a previous co-op turned into a big hit and is now for sale on the market.

Thanks, Justine!  Thursday we'll turn our attention again to blogging and learning, as we explore the do's and dont's of putting together an attraction program.  Thanks for reading!

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