In the Spotlight | Bill Kensok
In our mission to support Central Cass students in the arts, our “In the Spotlight” series aims to showcase alumni deserving recognition.
Bill Kensok | Central Cass Class of 1986
Art Director, Custom Graphics Inc.
If you drive around the Fargo-Moorhead area, you will see a lot of Bill Kensok's work on exterior signs and vehicle graphics.
Bill is the lead artist and manager of the art department at Custom Graphics, Inc. in Fargo— a company that produces, signs and vehicle graphics and wraps, along with banners, architectural graphics and many other business-related graphic products. He has worked with Custom Graphics for the past 22 years.
One of Bill’s most enjoyable projects is designing MatBus graphics in the Fargo-Moorhead area—specifically designing the holiday buses the last three years.
When Bill was in high school, computers were at the original stages of being incorporated into the school system. Although it existed, graphic software was extremely raw compared to today's software standards of designing in digital format. Bill loved art classes all through elementary and high school years. He recalls a geography class involving drawing maps of the country they were studying. A fellow student, Eric Stevens, and Bill would always compete for who could create the most elaborate map.
“As a high school student, I knew at the time that I enjoyed creating art projects, but had no idea of the different aspects of design that were available. That list has grown exponentially since the 80’s—graphic design, animation, photography, game design, illustration, interior design, along with countless other areas!” Bill’s advice to students interested in creating art? “Take a class! Go online! Watch videos of other people creating! Even if you don't work in the design industry, that doesn't mean you can't keep creating art for yourself, friends and family!”
“Take a class! Go online! Watch videos of other people creating! Even if you don’t work in the design industry, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep creating art for yourself, friends and family!”
Bill attended Moorhead State University (now MSUM) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising in 1991. He returned two years later and added a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Communication. Bill has been married to Amy for 32 years. They have two sons—Ben, who graduates this Spring in Music Education at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba, and Adam, a junior at MSUM studying Entertainment Industries and Technology.
Thanks for sharing your story, Bill!
“In the Spotlight” features Central Cass alum who have excelled in the arts. Do you know a squirrel deserving recognition? Nominate them here!
