RISD is an amazing and mysterious place. The talent and amount of creative output on our campus is staggering and nearly impossible to quantify. We invite luminaries from around the globe to challenge us, inspire us, and push us to be our best. However, at times we forget to stand back and attempt to understand what RISD has really given us and what we’ve given back.

It is common practice to cite that “students” are what make a school great but in the case of RISD, our students truly play a unique role in that statement. By the nature of the studio environment, the intensity of our pursuits, and the general personality of our work, RISD students stand alone in their importance in shaping the academic environment and experience.

This book isn’t meant to encapsulate the breadth, depth, or richness of that perspective but rather act as snapshot to provide a look into what really makes RISD, RISD. It is the work and people. I hope this will be a resource to provide you with the perspectives of an amazing collection of talented individuals as they make the transition from this school out into the world they will someday hopefully impact.

Thank you to all the students that participated in this exercise (see full list of names at the back of the book).