Taking advantage of the ever more widely available tools for 3D LiDAR scanning and VR/AR/XR (virtual, augmented, expanded realities), this course will introduce students to a collective design process that leverages these to “digitally” intervene a variety of spaces and generate discussions around design, context and collaboration. The course would offer a skill-building session, and structure itself around incremental design projects that invite teams to observe, conceptualize, and design alternative spatial realities to be understood and experienced beyond traditional representational methods: including virtual and augmented realities. Students will discuss the dichotomy between the uncanny potential of the virtual world, and the increasing need for social engagement in the real. No prerequisites. Although Rhino will be the preferred modeling tool, modeling skills can be built throughout the semester in several softwares (i.e. Rhino, Sketch-up, Revit), or the Arkio modeler.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $150.00 - $200.00

Elective

Separated at Birth (Textile & Paper Applications in Architecture) operates between the interwoven histories and shared tectonic vocabulary of paper fabrication, textile production, and architectural design. The course opens ways for student experimentation in material behavior as a driver of decision-making of an architectural project.

Paper and textiles share basic structural principles; both are essentially the entanglement of fibers into thin, pliable surfaces. In their simplest states, both perform well under tension and fail quickly in compression. They have undergone similar periods of industrial development, have tangential inter-applications, and share the potential for architectural ramifications. Their respective material processes act as productive foils to architectural making, highlighting and differentiating certain qualities. 

The course is anchored by material production in paper and in textile through collaborative construction projections. These built events establish a shared material experience, a common fast-and-loose attitude toward production, and an opportunity for collective critical reflection.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $150.00 - $200.00

Elective

It's no coincidence that some of the most timeless pieces of furniture were designed by Architects. Iconic designs by mid-century architects like Charles Eames, Alvar Aalto, and Eero Saarinen are still in production today with originals valued well into the thousands of dollars. But what makes these pieces so timeless? This winter-session course will begin with a brief survey of American mid-century design with a focus on material, form, and construction techniques. Students will then choose one mid-century design and present their own critical analysis. Building on their exploration, students will be asked to develop their own designs through conceptual sketches, CAD, digital modeling and rapid prototyping. Students will then create shop drawings from which a full-scale piece of furniture will be created.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $250.00

Elective

This is a placeholder course for RISD students interested in taking a class at Brown University.

RISD students must receive prior approval from either the Division of Liberal Arts (for Liberal Arts credit) or their Department Head (for Major, Non-Major, or Graduate Elective credit) in order to cross-register. This will be conducted using an electronic ‘Prior Approval for Brown University Credit’ form found in Etrieve.

This course will be replaced with the approved designation as outlined on the Prior Approval for Brown University Credit form.

This is a placeholder course for RISD students interested in taking a class at Brown University.

RISD students must receive prior approval from either the Division of Liberal Arts (for Liberal Arts credit) or their Department Head (for Major, Non-Major, or Graduate Elective credit) in order to cross-register. This will be conducted using an electronic ‘Prior Approval for Brown University Credit’ form found in Etrieve.

This course will be replaced with the approved designation as outlined on the Prior Approval for Brown University Credit form.

This is a placeholder course for RISD students interested in taking a class at Brown University.

RISD students must receive prior approval from either the Division of Liberal Arts (for Liberal Arts credit) or their Department Head (for Major, Non-Major, or Graduate Elective credit) in order to cross-register. This will be conducted using an electronic ‘Prior Approval for Brown University Credit’ form found in Etrieve.

This course will be replaced with the approved designation as outlined on the Prior Approval for Brown University Credit form.

This course emphasizes the unique opportunity to learn Japanese Ceramic History and a hands-on study in Taiwan to learn new studio practices of clay art and its inherent characteristics and its possibilities as both utilitarian and sculptural ceramics.  The focus of this class will be on the foundation skills of hand-building, wheel-throwing, and surface decoration in a rich historic and cultural context of study in Japan and Taiwan.  The elements of this course will be taught through lectures, demonstrations, critiques, and assignments.

Registration is not available in Workday. All students are required to remain in good academic standing in order to participate in the Wintersession travel course/studio. A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required. Failure to remain in good academic standing can lead to removal from the course, either before or during the course. Also in cases where Wintersession travel courses and studios do not reach student capacity, the course may be cancelled after the last day of Wintersession travel course registration. As such, all students are advised not to purchase flights for participation in Wintersession travel courses until the course is confirmed to run, which happens within the week after the final Wintersession travel course registration period.

Elective

Students will learn handbuilding, glazing, and surface decorating as well as other press molds and other sculptural techniques. They will use their creativity and storytelling to dream up a world in ceramic sculpture, and turn the everyday into something whimsical. We will focus on bringing imaginary objects and creatures  to life and provide demos on fur, scales, warts, claws, feathers and more.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $75.00

Elective

Kilns are typically the final step of the ceramic process. This course an introduction to  historical and contemporary firing methods, kiln design and kiln construction. With a focus on atmospheric firing, students will learn about different types of kilns and how to design and build a kiln for specific results. What takes place within a kiln as it fires and how to control aspects of each unique firing will also be covered. Studio projects will be developed with consideration of the type of kiln to be used and then be fully involved in all aspects of the firing process.

This course is open to all juniors, seniors, fifth-years, and graduate students by permission of the instructor or department head. Prior experience with ceramics is preferred.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $150.00

Elective

Ceramics and printmaking have a shared ethos in the production of multiples and process-driven technical methods. This is reflected in industry but is not often explored in an academic context. This course would be the first at RISD to explore the rich resources of the Ceramics and Printmaking Departments to promote research into innovative ways to combine the disciplines. For almost three centuries ceramics have been enhanced by printed elements. The combination of ceramic and print technologies have tremendous potential for new applications in functional and sculptural approaches to ceramic multiples and printed editions. RISD has all the facilities in ceramics and printmaking required to pursue research in this field. Students will learn ceramic techniques such as hand-building and slip casting to create forms to hold screen printed, intaglio, relief, and digital images. Historical techniques will be presented and new methods and combinations will be developed.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $200.00

Elective

This course will explore digital design and production methods of ceramic objects within the context of contemporary art and design. Students will undertake a series of projects utilizing 3D modeling applications to produce forms that can be fabricated by additive technologies including direct extrusion of clay. Students will also build an open source printer to gain a better understanding of the adaptability and control of the tools they will be using. Rhino will be used as the primary CAD tool and students will need to provide their own laptop with Rhino installed. Experience with both ceramics and 3D modeling preferred.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00

Elective

The course explores an extensive range of sculptural possibilities for ceramics through the theme of sampling. Students learn basic ceramic construction including handbuilding and moldmaking. Projects include: transformation of found shapes, images or objects, abstraction and introduction to contemporary ceramic sculpture. The emphasis is on experimentation and development of personal ideas.

Elective

In this class we will utilize an industrial approach and integrate it with a fine art sensibility. Students will learn how to make molds and prototypes; produce porcelain casting slip; strategies in casting; traditional and non-traditional surface applications. Course projects will focus on non-functional concepts. Many tools are supplied, however, students are required to purchase a tool kit to supplement those already on hand.Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Sophomore Ceramics Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Ceramics

In this class you will find a site, a venue, a place from which your investigations will spring. Working from the tradition and need of tableware; or architectural ornamentation; or public art, you will attach your personal expressive needs and vision to uses outside of the studio. Creative and inventive individual solutions are stressed. All ceramic techniques and processes appropriate may be used. Collaboration is encouraged. Designed for students at an advanced level, using clay as a primary material and involving a variety of processes and forming methods.

Elective

Students explore the pottery making processes of throwing, jiggering, extruding, casting, and pressing. They test and experiment creating the ceramic surfaces from a variety of high temperature glaze and firing techniques. They establish and challenge the creative and expressive potentials of utility.

Major Requirement | BFA Ceramics

In the first semester, graduate students begin their investigation and produce clay works that allow the faculty to assess their approach and capabilities. Students are available and pursue active contact with the faculty. Students also attend supplemental department presentations.Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Ceramics Students.

Major Requirement | MFA Ceramics

A seminar exploring ceramic idea, method, and expression in ceramic art from the technical perspective. Raw materials, clay bodies, glazes and glaze calculation are studied. The potential connection between technical understanding and the fulfillment of your vision and aesthetic expression is examined. Independent research is required.

Major Requirement | BFA Ceramics

Ceramics: a Global Perspective will focus on two non-western ceramic traditions/movements: the Indigenous Ceramics of the Americas and Asian Ceramics. These two seemingly disparate movements have had a profound influence upon western, modern and contemporary ceramic art. Indigenous Ceramics of the Americas provides a ‘close to home/under the surface foundation’ of material and design. Asian ceramics, with its global reach of historical trade roots, provides insight into the movement and transformation of material, technology, and use value.

This combined seminar and studio class provides a historical context and hand on experience of historical developments and hierarchical structures in the ceramic arts. To enhance the students’ understanding of traditional materials and technology upon form and content, students will make ceramics (using the corresponding traditional techniques) alongside art historical study. Each clay and firing type embodies making parameters that effect form, color, content and use. Through the remaking of historical forms, students acquire a nuanced understanding of the importance of technology upon the content and use value of objects made.

The class will focus on three distinct regions and periods in ceramic history: Indigenous Practice of the Americas (Peru, New Mexico), Asian Porcelain, Production and Kiln Technology (Korea, Japan, China) and the Silk Road Trade Routes from Asia into the Middle East, Africa and up into Western Europe effecting ceramic production between 1600 – 1900. The class will culminate by illuminating the effects of colonialism and globalization of these three periods upon late 20th century, and current ceramics. In particular, we will become sensitive to the cultural appropriation of Indigenous culture and Asian aesthetics by teaching its philosophy, colonial history and initiate sensitivity to stereotypes and cultural erasure within ceramic production and its communities.

The Ceramics department has visiting artists representing artists from many world cultures and students are required to attend these lectures. Independent research is required.

Major Requirement | BFA Ceramics

In the beginning of your fourth year you work independently with a ceramic faculty tutor to develop your individual degree project. Your project is expected to be a body of ceramic work that is unified in direction, significant in its degree of growth, innovative in its resolution, and personal in its expression. Students are pre-registered for this course by the department.

Enrollment is limited to Senior Ceramics Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Ceramics

The second semester is a development of the ideas and work begun in the first. Students are available and pursue active contact with the faculty. Students also attend supplemental department presentations.

Major Requirement | MFA Ceramics