The School of Design regularly hosts visiting designers for public talks and workshops with students.
DRAW DOWN BOOKS / 2023
Christopher Sleboda and Katheleen Sleboda shared their publishing project Draw Down Books which connects their graphic design, image-making, and editorial illustration practice. Their teamwork expands to the classroom through classes taught at RISD, Boston University, the University of Connecticut, and Otis College of Art and Design. They have curated design exhibitions, organized art fairs, and collaboratively undertaken writing and research projects, and lectured jointly about typography, book design experimental form, and design pedagogy.
Christopher and Kathleen conducted a typography in space workshop with a group of students from across the College. While here they gave a public lecture entitled This Slash That: The Multifaceted Publishing Practice of Draw Down Books as part of the College of Architecture and Design Lecture Series.
SHELBY RINKE / 2022
Shelby Rinke is a designer, illustrator, and all-around color enthusiast who is currently based in sunny Arizona. Their work is consistently described as fun, vibrant, and colorful. Shelby loves contributing to projects that tell a story and spread joy. Bonus points if there’s humor involved. In addition to collaborating with brands, they create independent comics and zines that feature LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Aside from working on rad projects, you can find Shelby kayaking, watching space documentaries or cuddling their rescue dog, Harvey.
Rinke’s Let’s Make a Zine multi-day workshop led students through the zine-making process creating a vibrant space for collaboration and conversation. Rinke also served as the 2022 graphic design division juror for the 75th Student Art Competition. While here they gave a public lecture entitled Enthusiastic Design.