I am currently experimenting in realms of extended reality, non-fiction storytelling, graffiti research, data-enhanced ground-truthing, and RF/communications networks.
Bio
Rob Ray is an artist and Associate Professor of Design at California State University, San Bernardino, where he is currently researching the intersections of site-specific mixed-reality technologies and experimental documentary storytelling. He is also a DJ at KDZU, a fictional real radio station broadcasting from Goldfield, Nevada.
Rob has spent 18 years creating interactive digital experiences and leading interactive UX and technology teams. He has served in design leadership roles at Electronic Arts, NASA Jet Propulsion Labs, Leo Burnett, Arc Worldwide, Element 79 Partners, and the Blitz Agency.
From 2017 to 2020, Rob was a senior lead designer for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. At the JPL, he led the human-centered design practice for ProtoSpace, the Lab’s flagship collaborative mixed reality (MR) platform for scientists and engineers. He also served as the user interfacing lead for VITAL, two FDA-approved emergency-use low-cost ventilators developed as part of NASA’s national response to COVID-19.
Rob also co-hosted the Opposable Thumbs podcast with Taylor Hokanson. They invited guests to tackle a new creative challenge with them every two weeks and discuss their accomplishments, failures, and lessons learned.
From 1999 to 2008, Rob was the founding curator of the DEADTECH electronic arts center in Chicago, IL. DEADTECH’s unique curatorial vision, workshop facilities, and exhibition space were custom created for the specific needs of the electronic artist and performer. DEADTECH exhibited artists from across the globe, including the Beige Programming Ensemble, the Institute for Applied Autonomy, Sabine Gruffat, Norman White, Myfanwy Ashmore, The Seemen, Huong Ngo, and Kazuyuki K. Null.
In 2010, Rob received his MFA in Electronic Arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.