Includes bibliographical references and index

Foreword / John Maeda -- Preface / Frank R. Wilson -- The art of critical making : an introduction / Rosanne Somerson -- Groundwork / Leslie Hirst -- Text and context : outward in all directions / Daniel Cavicchi -- Conversation : drawing / Patricia C. Phillips -- Thingking / John Dunnigan -- Object lessons / Sarah Ganz Blythe -- Conversation : materials / Kelly Dobson -- Graphic design, storytelling and the making of meaning / Lucinda Hitchcock -- The nature imperative / Neal Overstrom -- Conversation : critique / Eva Sutton -- Acting into the unknown / Pradeep Sharma -- Afterword / Mara L. Hermano

At 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. 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