Rhode Island School of Design
Reviews

Number One

There is no doubt that RISD gives much work to students. However, it's worth it especially when our education is rated #1 in the nation when it comes to art. Most students are here because they want to, so it is a very determined group of students that you get to work with.

A Colorful Experience.

The title says it all. I can speak volumes about this school, but if its one thing that is hands down the first thing that comes to mind, its the fact that the breadth of knowledge the teachers have is amazing. Also, the facilities are top notch. The things you learn here prepare you to be a leader in the real world. The prompts and assignments given allow you to think critically. Do not come here if you want to fool around though, be prepared to fulfill the acronym....RISD = Reason I'm Sleep Deprived.....you're gonna work....and you're gonna like it:).

This Question Is Not Helpful

Stick to caffeine else you should not go here. Drugs are just too much

Living on Campus

it's expensive. From 4,500- 12,000 a year for on campus housing. You can get off campus housing for as little as 300 a month if you look hard enough.

Health and Saftey

School Health serviced are pretty basic. They could really try to do walk ins since the school gives us such busy schedules.

Security is not bad even though it is pretty spread out. The school has a great "RISD RIDES" shuttle service from 7pm to 330am. Pretty helpful and makes being in studio late helpful

It's Got Its Ups and Downs

Organization needs attention. With the budget the school has they seem to not always have the best teachers for the "less important" courses. Students teaching students is probably one of the best aspects of this school. You are surrounded by students who work until they cant stand. And there are always great demos and lectures going around.

Athletics Are Humerous at RISD

RISD has a few informal sports teams. The school also has a very interesting Mascot. However, RISD students are allowed to participate in Brown University sports and recreational activities

Interior Architecture

The program is based on the study of sustainability and adaptive reuse in the architectural design, using concept, green design and. The undergraduate program prepares students with an in depth understanding of the reuse of the building in this day in age with courses in structure, human factors and other areas to prepare the student with the understanding of design to both work with the artistic approach and the effect on the user.

Celeb Hot Spot.

Recently Providence has become known to be a hot celebrity spot. In fact, I know a friend who went to the same Brown party as Emma Watson, and just a couple of days ago I saw James Franco on the elevator up to my class- no kidding. Being a prestigious art school, we gets visits from famous alumni ranging from Nicole Miller to the creator of Family guy.

RISD Dining

In one word- Yummalicious. RISD has and continues to serve a variety of high quality meals, there is something for everyone. Ranging from vegan, vegetarian, Asian, Mexican, and good old fashioned American fast food, RISD offers a wide range of choices. The MET located within the freshman quad area, is a buffet style cafeteria that is both convenient and tasty. There is the Portfolio Cafe located within 15 West famous for its Do-it-yourself Moobella ice cream machine with flavors ranging from low-fat pistachio for the weight conscious to rich and creamy white chocolate raspberry. If you are looking for a quick bite, you can stop by the Watermark cafe which offers freshly brewed coffee, sandwiches and desserts. And last but not least, students enrolled under the RISD point plan can purchase personalized sandwiches from Jolly Roger cafe located past the ID building. All in all, RISD catering won't let your tastebuds down.

Often Unpredictable

New England is known for its unpredictable weather and you can go to class on a bright sunny day then at the end of class have to lug a portfolio through 4 inches of snow that is still coming down hard. Personally, I enjoy such diverse weather, but many can find it off-putting.

There Is No Greek Life

There is no Greek life at RISD and anyone who feels they are missing out can easily walk a block over to Brown University to attend parties, so personal quotas can still be met.

Parking

Parking is limited and tends to be scattered around, luckily providence is small so there isn't too much of a need for cars anyways.

Off Campus Housing

Off campus housing is pretty mediocre, everything is pretty much owned by one or two real estate monopolies who can do pretty much whatever they want since students are forced to rent from them anyways for the sake of location. There are some extremely nice apartments but they are very expensive (for their size/quality) and rare, these are usually privately owned as well.

RISD Computers

Great computers, extremely up to date hardware and fully loaded with the latest software for every major. Printing is mediocre when it should be excellent considering color is an important factor in the assessment of homework.

I Like It.

It's actually really beautiful here most of the year. I'm from Pennsylvania and remember counting days where the sky had no clouds in fall, in amazement. Winter can get a bit cold and gross though--snow doesn't stick, but it's icy and nasty. There are ski trips to vermont every weekend during winter session. Class rarely gets canceled, maybe once a year. People from California complain that it's cold, but to me, it's a lot more mild than when you're not by the coast.

Drinking Over Drugs

The Drug Policy is very very strict. Most students drink, but on campus you have to be very very careful. If you're underage, you will get kicked out if they find alcohol in your dorm room. Brown Frats will freely give you alcohol if you walk into a party and say you go to risd. Some people prefer Pot to alcohol. I know people who don't drink here and still do fine socially, though. There is no real "outcast" at risd, no matter who you are nightlife wise.

Go to Brown or Downtown

There are lots of parties at Brown, which are fun. They don't care who you are, as long as you give them 3 dollars at the door.

Also, you can easily walk 10 minutes to get to clubs downtown, and there are several that let in 18-year-olds. There are gay clubs too. We usually take a taxi to a club; the fare will cost about 5 dollars for one way. Club entry can be free for girls, or it may be 10 dollars.

You'll be working much more than partying though.

Fine

Everyone seems to have a new Mac Book Pro. There is wireless internet, and it's pretty good once you figure out how to log onto the network. There are lots of computer labs, but most students have their own computers due to laptop programs for their majors. A lot of people have printers, though you can print in the labs or at the library. Labs are never over crowded, because we spend most of our time in studio, not typing..

Really Great.

You get free access to RIPTA buses, which can take you anywhere in providence for free, including Newport Beaches on weekend. It's really useful and the bus system is huge. Totally free with your student ID. Also, train and bus stations are very close to campus. I can get to Boston for 7 dollars, and New York for about 20. The bus to the airport is free as well.

Mh..

Freshmen can't have cars, and parking is very limited in the city.

RISD Housing

The Rhode Island School of Design housing system is certainly unique. During the initial year, most students live in the "Quad" which is a compound comprised of four dormitory buildings and a large dining hall in the center between the buildings. Because of the increased admittance in the past few years, the school has added freshman housing in the form of houses along the hill in which the "Quad" resides. These houses are themed: The Carpenter House is a music themed dormitory and the Pardon-Miller House is centered upon health consciousness. Housing is required for students during their freshman and sophomore years. During sophomore year, students have the option of more houses on the "hill" which are preserved homes of 18th century Providence, the Colonial Apartments - an apartment complex consisting of efficiencies, studios and 3-bedroom apartments, Charles Landing apartments-an apartment complex that is available to RISD students as well as to the public. Finally, the school offers apartments in the downtown area of Providence, in which I live. "15 West" as it is commonly referred to, is a high rise building in the heart of the financial district. This building houses RISD Library and another dining hall entitled "The Portfolio". At one time, this building was the home of the Rhode Island Trust Company and the high ceilings and recesses in the rooms truly adhere to their previous vault purpose. Our dormitories are known to be spacious, especially the sophomore housing apartments. Each dormitory room in each of the housing formats comes with a work surface, a desk, storage units and workrooms on each floor of the buildings, each equipped with proper ventilation systems for art supply fumes.

Modern, Artistic and Green.

The Rhode Island School of Design facilities are certainly up-to-date technologically and aesthetically. The school utilizes energy saving techniques with their electricity in all of the studio workspaces. A new implementation in all of the RISD buildings throughout campus is the "RISD Water" system. This system is comprised of purified water fountains meant to be used by students and faculty for filling their reusable water bottles. The studio spaces themselves are more than adequate providing for the 15-20 student to one professor ratio. Our campus library is absolutely beautiful architecturally. The resources available to the students are infinite, including an image library, special collections library, a plethora of online databases and original copies of texts, artifacts, paintings,drawings, etchings, etc on reserve. Also on campus is our immaculate Rhode Island School of Design museum. This museum is open to the public and used as another resource for the students as well with over 25,000 artworks, artifacts, textiles and apparel on display or in storage available by appointment.

RISD: an Unusual College Experience

The Rhode Island School of Design is first and foremost and institution for learning fine arts and design. Within the initial year, students will learn the basic principals of art: Drawing, Two-dimensional design, and Three-dimensional design. These courses are offered in 8-hour long studio format, three days a week with liberal arts dispersed intermittently throughout the 5-day a week schedule. The liberal arts program is an intense curriculum consisting of English studies, history of art and visual culture, and history of philosophy and the social sciences. The professors attempt to gear the courses toward art-related topics to keep the studies relevant to the nature of the college. Upon the second through fourth or fifth year of enrollment, students will take courses in their desired majors. The workload at RISD can certainly be described as substantial. Sometimes the school's acronym - RISD, has been altered into "Reason I am Sleep Deprived". This school is meant for the arduous, goal-oriented student. Students will quickly learn to utilize the art of critique and understand how significant and useful this method of evaluation will be in the professional art world.

Artist Community

Rhode Island School of Design is a great environment for artists. The people that surround you everyday are all different and creative which inspires individual creativity and motivation. Everyone is passionate about what they do and work so hard, our work is our life.