Adam Smith

Associate Professor
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BFA, Rhode Island School of Design

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 2024 Courses

ID 2464-06 - DESIGN PRINCIPLES I
Level Undergraduate
Unit Industrial Design
Subject Industrial Design
Period Fall 2024
Credits 6
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

ID 2464-06

DESIGN PRINCIPLES I

Level Undergraduate
Unit Industrial Design
Subject Industrial Design
Period Fall 2024
Credits 6
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: TTH | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Adam Smith Location(s): Industrial Design Building, Room 500 Enrolled / Capacity: 15 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to conceptual and manual skills that represent necessary steps in design evolution. Students strengthen skills by completion of several processes and exercises. Critical thinking and concept generation is a primary focus, drawing and model making activities help to establish this process. Throughout the course each student will focus on improving communication skills and the ability to project or sell ideas.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $15.00

Enrollment is limited to Sophomore Industrial Design Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design

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BFA, Rhode Island School of Design