Adam Smith
Adam Smith, a full-time faculty member, has taught for 31 years in RISD’s Industrial Design department, where he served as department head from 2010–13. His teaching is closely linked to his research and professional design work. Adam teaches within many design-related areas, including hand sketching towards ideation; communications/ information graphics; 2D digital/analog; digital 3D modeling; hand and analog machined fabrication in metal, wood and plastic; 3D printing and CNC; focus on design for plastics, investment cast metals and sand cast metals; sustainable design focused on improving physical application towards a greener product; manufacturing and production; life cycle assessment; design-related future forecasting; UI/UX software design; and defining virtual user experiences. Adam’s focus on teaching research methodologies that help to formalize a design hypothesis allows students to conduct system-based design thinking that leads to validated, tangible results. See highlights from his career through the CV link at left.
Courses
Fall 2023 Courses
ID 1547-01
UI/UX DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
U/I - U/X interfaces are applied towards several digital graphic formats: smart phone ios/Android; tablet/watch; Windows OS/Mac OS; or custom sized interfaces for products like ATM machines or car dashboards. The instructor's professional design practice currently focuses on UI/UX design and future forecasting towards corporate strategies to best take advantage of the digital transformation many large corporations are being faced with at this time. Students learn methodologies and tools around smartphone app design development. Areas of design process include: research and app concept definition; conduct low-fidelity brainstorming and exploration around the users; future forecasting through speculation of user stories; journey mapping explorations; develop app aesthetic, develop navigation systems; develop app branding; and at the end build high-fidelity prototypes incorporating app navigation interaction. No prior knowledge of UI/UX development is required. Students build working prototypes of cellular interfaces that function and navigate. Coding experience is not necessary for this course and will not be taught. Students that have coding experience that may use those skills for app prototypes developed along with Adobe XD.
Requirements: a laptop running Adobe Creative Suite and a RISD student Adobe Cloud.
Elective
ID 20ST-13
SPECIAL TOPIC DESIGN STUDIO
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Juniors take two 3-credit Special Topic Design Studios in the Fall semester. Juniors choose one 3-credit option from the Content category such as Packaging, Typography, Play, or UI/UX, and the other option from the "Process" category such as Casting, Soft Goods or Prototyping. Students will gain multiple competencies by utilizing techniques and methodologies through practice and process. Each studio meets once per week.
Please contact the department for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday.
Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design
ID 2476-02
DESIGNING WITH SOLIDWORKS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this course is to expose students to SolidWorks, a widely used solid modeling software program. Students will learn how to translate their hand-sketches into three-dimensional CAD models. Lectures and assignments will focus on the development of form as it applies to plastic part design and assembly. Physical models will be realized through ABS rapid prototyping allowing students to experience true plastic part design. Students should anticipate additional costs for supplies and materials.
Enrollment is limited to Sophomore Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design
Spring 2024 Courses
ID 2476-02
DESIGNING WITH SOLIDWORKS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this course is to expose students to SolidWorks, a widely used solid modeling software program. Students will learn how to translate their hand-sketches into three-dimensional CAD models. Lectures and assignments will focus on the development of form as it applies to plastic part design and assembly. Physical models will be realized through ABS rapid prototyping allowing students to experience true plastic part design. Students should anticipate additional costs for supplies and materials.
Enrollment is limited to Sophomore Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design
ID 24ST-01
ADVANCED DESIGN: STUDIO
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The 6-credit Advanced Design studios offer second semester juniors and seniors the opportunity to investigate product, socially responsible, and sustainable design; innovation through science and technology and other topics in contemporary practice. These studios are designed to strengthen the student's ability to conduct research, ideation, material exploration, presentation, and concept validation. Studios meet two days per week. Junior and Senior Industrial Design Students are required to take a total of three (3) advanced studios.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Junior, Senior or Graduate Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design, MID (2.5yr): Industrial Design