In case you are interested, listen to the podcast of my journey through RISD today. Regards, John Maeda

The final stop (for now!) on John’s tour takes him inside our splendid Museum of Art, which lies in the “heart of RISD nation.” RISD’s museum has an incredible collection of works of art in all media from ancient to contemporary and students have access to it all! There is an amazing variety of exhibitions on view at all times. Let’s see what John sees…

John takes in an Apparel Design exhibition at Woods-Gerry, one of RISD’s many student galleries. Woods-Gerry is a grand 19th-century mansion that features rotating exhibitions of undergraduate work from all departments. Take a look at what’s on view!

The fifth episode of John’s tour takes him to risd:store (see You You’s earlier post) and Metcalf Supply Store — “the forest of creativity” — where he explores the wonderful possibilities inherent in tape, cardboard and other tools of the trade(s).

Next stop: Woods-Gerry Gallery (student exhibition space)…

John stops in to visit the Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab, where he discovers the wonders of the Lab’s bears, butterflies, bones and more — another example of RISD giving you “all different angles to touch the mind.”

I was visiting RISD Nature Lab this week where Director Karen Idoine showed me some freshly laid eggs by a mother turtle that happily resides there. Nature Lab is tightly coupled into what will be your first year of Foundation Studies — the same rite of passage that many past RISD graduates like Seth MacFarlane and Shepard Fairey have gone through. Wherever you may be, I hope that spring is engulfing you in its beauty. -jm

The Met is RISD’s largest dining facility and is handily situated in the center of the freshman dorm complex known as The Quad (we’re big on capitalizing The word The around here). Last night diners might have been surprised to see President-elect John Maeda — continuing his tour of campus facilities — putting his talents to good work in the chow line. In addition to deftly preparing meals to order, John took time to ask each student what his/her major is and offered career advice. Multitasking at The Met!

Before assuming his duties, John received sound instruction from Steve Brustein, The Met’s manager:

John takes an order and talks art and design with a RISD student:

…and he ably serves up one of the night’s delicacies:

Success!

The objects in this unique store/gallery are tangible evidence of what a RISD education can produce. risd|works encourages us to look at familiar things in a new way: behind every item featured - from mass-produced objects to fine art - is the mind and hands of a RISD graduate or faculty member. Why not take a few minutes and go shopping with John?!

Note from JM: My mother always told me, “Window shopping is one of life’s guilty pleasures.” risd | works is quite special because it demonstrates the commercial viability of developing skills in the arts and design with successful products and publications by RISD alums and faculty.

Today I met with one of my freshmen advisees at MIT. She wanted to know what major she should take. I told her to choose the major that offered her the most options to explore her horizons, a la Rule #9. If you haven’t seen Prof. Pausch’s last lecture, you should.

In which our intrepid future president discovers the many wonders and spectacular design of RISD’s library. Have a look!

JM Note: The library really is spectacular. When you come to campus I suggest it be your very first stop.