Inside/Outside: From the Basics to the Practice of Design, Second Edition

Introduction

“To distribute material things is to divide them. To distribute spiritual things is to multiply them.”

JOSEF ALBERS

I am with this book attempting to distribute what might loosely be considered “spiritual things”—the things I tried to teach students and the things they succeeded in teaching me during three decades at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

The basic idea came from past students, now profes-sional designers, who suggested that I document assignments I give my classes at RISD. The tables are turned. Students have given their teacher an assignment. I tackle it willingly because I presume to believe that the success ...