Paolo Cardini
Paolo Cardini came to RISD from the interdisciplinary graduate design program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. His work ranges from product design to interaction design and from integrated communication to strategic planning.
Cardini studied industrial design at Politecnico di Milano and Glasgow School of Art and has served as department chair for undergraduate and graduate industrial design departments at Istituto Europeo di Design in Turin. In addition to teaching, Cardini designs and consults for various international firms, lectures at conferences and design schools worldwide and contributes actively to the field with papers and publications.
Courses
Fall 2024 Courses
LAEL 1038-01
HISTORY OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
History is a powerful tool; a basic understanding of the history of design and familiarity with important design movements and designers is essential for thorough design work. By examining the work of other designers, we are better able to identify our own interests and concerns, and avoid repeating mistakes that have been navigated in the past. This lecture-based class will present the history of Industrial Design in a way that links it to today's studio work, and offers connection points to link past innovation and design activity with future design success. The lectures present a chronological overview of the profession of Industrial Design and its antecedents. Topics discussed will include major design movements, significant designers, manufacturers, and design-related companies, innovations in technology and material use, the development of sales, marketing, and user-focused designing, and the history of design process. Coursework includes extensive reading, in-class presentations based on independent research, projects, and writing.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Sophomore Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design
LAEL 1038-02
HISTORY OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
History is a powerful tool; a basic understanding of the history of design and familiarity with important design movements and designers is essential for thorough design work. By examining the work of other designers, we are better able to identify our own interests and concerns, and avoid repeating mistakes that have been navigated in the past. This lecture-based class will present the history of Industrial Design in a way that links it to today's studio work, and offers connection points to link past innovation and design activity with future design success. The lectures present a chronological overview of the profession of Industrial Design and its antecedents. Topics discussed will include major design movements, significant designers, manufacturers, and design-related companies, innovations in technology and material use, the development of sales, marketing, and user-focused designing, and the history of design process. Coursework includes extensive reading, in-class presentations based on independent research, projects, and writing.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Sophomore Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design
Spring 2025 Courses
ID 242G-01
GRADUATE ID STUDIO II
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This required studio continues the explorations you began in Graduate Studio One. Again, you are challenged through a series of projects to purposefully locate your personal position within contemporary industrial design practice. The projects will introduce you to a variety of issues, application methodologies and audiences associated with the industrial design process that will equip you with a critical understanding of the field that can direct a practical means of applying your ideas. At the end of the semester, your deliverable is an exhibition piece resulting from a final self-directed project. This concluding project is a personal, insightful and original synthesis of your semester's activities and clearly communicates your maturity in problem solving design approaches. Graduate Studio Two is offered as part of the Graduate Industrial Design core curriculum in conjunction the required Graduate Shop Orientation and Graduate Communications courses.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | MID Industrial Design
ID 242G-02
GRADUATE ID STUDIO II
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This required studio continues the explorations you began in Graduate Studio One. Again, you are challenged through a series of projects to purposefully locate your personal position within contemporary industrial design practice. The projects will introduce you to a variety of issues, application methodologies and audiences associated with the industrial design process that will equip you with a critical understanding of the field that can direct a practical means of applying your ideas. At the end of the semester, your deliverable is an exhibition piece resulting from a final self-directed project. This concluding project is a personal, insightful and original synthesis of your semester's activities and clearly communicates your maturity in problem solving design approaches. Graduate Studio Two is offered as part of the Graduate Industrial Design core curriculum in conjunction the required Graduate Shop Orientation and Graduate Communications courses.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | MID Industrial Design
LAEL 1038-01
HISTORY OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
History is a powerful tool; a basic understanding of the history of design and familiarity with important design movements and designers is essential for thorough design work. By examining the work of other designers, we are better able to identify our own interests and concerns, and avoid repeating mistakes that have been navigated in the past. This lecture-based class will present the history of Industrial Design in a way that links it to today's studio work, and offers connection points to link past innovation and design activity with future design success. The lectures present a chronological overview of the profession of Industrial Design and its antecedents. Topics discussed will include major design movements, significant designers, manufacturers, and design-related companies, innovations in technology and material use, the development of sales, marketing, and user-focused designing, and the history of design process. Coursework includes extensive reading, in-class presentations based on independent research, projects, and writing.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Sophomore Industrial Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Industrial Design