The Art of Critical Making: Rhode Island School of Design on Creative Practice

by Rosanne Somerson (editor), Mara Hermano (Editor), John Maeda (Foreword)

Describes the world's leading approach to art and design taught at Rhode Island School of DesignAt Rhode Island School of Design students are immersed in a culture where making questions, ideas, and objects, using and inventing materials, and activating experience all serve to define a form of critical thinking--albeit with one's hands--i.e. "critical making." The Art of Critical Making , by RISD faculty and staff, describes fundamental aspects of RISD's approach to "critical making" and how this can lead to innovation. The process of making taught at RISD is deeply introspective, passionate, and often provocative.This book illuminates how RISD nurtures the creative process, from brief or prompt to outcome, along with guidance on the critical questions and research that enable making great works of art and design.Explores the conceptual process, idea research, critical questions, and iteration that RISD faculty employ to educate students to generate thoughtful work Authors are from the faculty and staff of the Rhode Island School of Design, which consistently ranks as the number one fine arts and design college in the United States The Art of Critical Making shows you how context, materials, thought processes, and self-evaluation are applied in this educational environment to prepare creative individuals to produce dynamic, memorable, and meaningful works.

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction, Teaching

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Ninakix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. RISD represents a different philosophy of design education than the one I received and thinking about it what those differences entailed made me think very differently about what kinds of thinking got glossed over in my own experiences. Many of these things resonated with the more artistic side of me, and that was nice. Some essays, such as the essay on materials, made me think more about concepts that have always fascinated me, but in a different light.
In the end, I just felt that I found myself asking myself about my own process, and understanding how I currently think through objects and how I might tweak and change that process for a better, more critical, result. Books that make you re-examine your own thinking, books you want to return to and keep close by are always rare and I think for me, and where I'm at right now, this book will be one of those.

[rory · Rating 4 out of 5]

To aim for an end object creates a narrow view of what is possible. It is much more exciting to think, If a material can have a vocabulary, what vocabulary can it have?

[Dave Rothacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the conversation today on Making is of the CAD, 3D Printer, CNC and custom manufacturing variety. No issues there. I love it.

The editors of The Art of Critical Making however, begin the discussion at an earlier stage.

Rosanne Somerson says, "...includes hands-on practice, the processing of enhanced seeing and perception, and contextualized understanding..."

In other words, understand the nature of critical making and then, if you choose the industrial pathway of making, go out and wrap your hands around the technology and hardware and make.

If you are contemplating going to a design school, and particularly the RISD, this is a must read. RISD basically breaks down the mystery by saying: "this is how & what we're gonna teach you."

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers amazing insight for any art teacher, maker or artist. As an AP Studio teacher at a high school, this is what and how art education should be fostered!
Additionally, the college board has rolled out new requirements that focus on process vs product- the philosophy from RISD exemplifies what they are looking for!
Great read for any art educator...

[Alexander Pyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing intro to the study of design and the methodology at the RISD. While it does showcase the world-class program at the aforementioned school, I found a lot of the principles they discussed with "critical making" to be fully applicable in my own creative/thinking practices. Love reading things that are outside of my "degree'd" specialization, so I can see the overlaps.

[Divyesh Sheth · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great introduction to RISS and its philosophy

This book explains the process of making things, expanding one’s knowledge by using critique as a learning tool and experimenting with different mediums, materials and thought processes.

[モーリー · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to follow and scattered, both as a collection and within the individual pieces. It alternated between the obvious and vaguely meaningless proclamations. It was most interesting to see and hear about student projects, but not enough to make the reading experience worthwhile.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at RISD's creative process.

[Tim Belonax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into the philosophy and methodologies employed at RISD from a variety of departments.