I enjoyed this video today at the Student Leadership dinner here at RISD. The concept of a “leader” is something I found the students to reconcile elegantly as simply “people that bring other people together.” Special thanks to the Student Life staff on campus that made this event happen. -JM

I just purchased a CD for $5 from student Justin Rosengarten with a cover designed by student Calvin Waterman. Here’s info on this disc from JR:

This is a compilation of all RISD musicians for 2009. It speaks to the wide range of artistic musical talent on campus and represents our gifted musicians on one, professionally pressed CD. It was designed by Calvin Waterman (GD 2010) and each one has been individually silkscreened by us to give the CD more personal value. It is 5 dollars and will be sold in the RISD store, Carr Haus, and RISD works.

It’s a great listen. -JM

A few days ago I attended a meeting of the colleges and universities in Rhode Island hosted by Senator Jack Reed on the campus of URI. Senator Reed has an encyclopedic memory so it’s quite enjoyable watching him speak. You can always catch him on C-SPAN in case you haven’t seen him in action yet. -JM

MIT Media Lab graduate Dr. Barbara Barry of startup Energy Inside Me came by to the RISD Design Center last night to work with some or our students that were curious about her work on new ways to design services for stress relief that are called “peps.” I was impressed with the kind of energy that RISD students seem to easily muster at 10PM. They certainly brought out the pep in me. Thanks RISD. -JM

Esteemed alumnus Gus Van Sant is on campus today and the students are abuzz. It’s hard not to be a Good Will Hunting fan (the MIT connection helps), and his recent film Milk is totally inspirational. We’re so proud of him here at our RISD! -JM

In a pocket of time today I met with undergrads Ashley and Molly about a project in their anthropology class. Our discussion was centered around the question of whether technology is constructive or destructive to the practice of art and design. I referred them to the work of historian Lewis Mumford which speaks to most of what I’ve learned and experienced first hand with my experiments in technology. One of my favorite quotes:

“However far modern science and techniques have fallen short of their inherent possibilities, they have taught mankind at least one lesson; nothing is impossible.”

Mumford waxes positively and negatively about technology (or “technics” as he calls it) in many of his writings – something I’ve always been quite sympathetic towards. -JM

Congratulations to Catherine Furio ’08 AP, who recently let us know that “only a half year out of college” she’s already launching her own fashion line in Chicago – thanks to invaluable support from the Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI). As one of six designers in residence at CFI ’09 (see ABC 7 Chicago News for recent coverage, including the designers modeling their own garments), she’s getting studio and office space in a prime location downtown, along with one-on-one coaching from PR, business and marketing managers. By the end of the year, Catherine is hoping to make a name for herself with her new FURIO line.

Several alumni were among the designers from around the world who were in Milan this past week showing their work at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. In addition to Josh Owen MFA ’97 FD, who presented his SOS Stool, the NYC-based Rich, Brilliant, Willing – a.k.a. the design trio Theo Richardson ’06 FD, Charles Brill ’06 FD and Alex Williams ’06 FD – made its European debut by showing a new aluminum end table along with their Excel Floor Lamp. Earlier this month the London-based Financial Times ran a feature on their relatively new studio, citing them as a prime example of how “with talent, determination and a bit of chutzpah it is still possible to succeed, even in hard times.”

In the article, Brill says that although the global economic picture was a lot rosier in 2006 when the trio first teamed up to form their business, they’ve been lucky to make the right contacts and produce affordable products that people want. “We strive to maintain low overhead and expenses,” he says, “which allows us to choose projects we want to work on and see value in. Fortunately, we’ve been keeping very busy.” And with Milan now behind them, they’re hoping that becomes an understatement.

Today I am staring at five Webby Honoree Award letters on my cluttered desk and feeling some pride. The Webby’s are the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet including websites, interactive advertising and online film and video - like the Emmy’s of the Web. RISD’s Interactive Media team has been busy working on micro-sites, emails, videos and websites as part of our mission within the Media +Partners Division to communicate how wonderful RISD is. And getting some notice via the Webbys sure feels wonderful. We received awards for the undergraduate and graduate online viewbooks, the Pojagi + Beyond video, Charlie Cannon’s video, and our alumni specific newsletter eviews. There are over 10,000 submissions to the Webby’s so we are pleased to have our work recognized and thankful to have the opportunity to create something(s) special on behalf of RISD.

Thanks to all.

Eric Meier ‘86 IL
Director of Interactive Media
RISD Media + Partners

Tonite I am cooking chicken soup for my family and luckily I discovered that the wishbone is intact (apologies for the mangy-bone photo above). Wishbones are particularly on my mind because as a gift for my wife I purchased an elegant silver wishbone necklace crafted by talented RISD alumna Elyse Hradecky [RISD ‘07 Printmaking], who I often see at risd|works. If you are after something unique like this, and because I don’t see it on the website, don’t hesitate to contact RISD Works directly – (401) 277-4949. -JM PS Elyse also sells wishbone items with the winning side in case you want guaranteed luck.