Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
RISD's distinctive approach to arts education expands through Hyundai Motor Partnership
Crystal Williams, president of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, Dec. 1. Courtesy of Seoul Cyber University
By Lee Hae-rin
Liberal arts-based education enhances critical thinking
Crystal Williams, president of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in the United States, highlighted the pivotal role of critical thinking in arts education.
"A distinguishing factor of a RISD education is that 25 percent of it is based on liberal arts. I believe that a good education teaches people to think critically," she said during an interview with The Korea Times.
Established in 1877 by pioneering women before they even gained the right to vote, RISD stands as a testament to the transformative power of creative education. With 2,500 students, comprising 2,000 undergraduates and 500 graduate students, RISD encompasses diverse disciplines, including architecture, industrial design, ceramics and fine arts.
An intriguing aspect of RISD’s recent evolution is its partnership with Hyundai Motor Group and Kia, embarking on the collaborative project in 2020.
According to Williams, the partnership, requested by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, has resulted in an annual joint research program exploring various themes such as future mobility in 2020, future cities in 2021 and sustainable futures in 2022.
This year's fourth collaborative research revolves around the theme of collaborative future living. The project involves a partnership with RISD's Nature Lab.
Established in 1937 and renowned for in-depth research on natural life forms and ecosystems, the Nature Lab, with its extensive collection of biological specimens and cutting-edge research facilities, adds a unique dimension to the collaboration.
Participants from Hyundai Motor Group and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) discuss a joint project, under the theme of future mobility in this June 23, 2020 photo. Courtesy of Hyundai Motors Group
Williams mentioned the impact of the project, saying, "I heard that seven RISD students are now working at Hyundai, as these connections have deepened and students have become very excited about these changes. I see this project as a success, and I am excited about what will emerge.”
Approximately 40 percent of RISD’s student body comprises international students, with the largest number coming from China. Korean students make up the second-largest contingent.
She also underscored a distinctive trait of RISD graduates – the ability to delve deeply into a discipline and then translate that skill into broader contexts.
RISD's liberal arts-based education, constituting a significant portion of the school’s curriculum compared to other arts and design schools, contributes to the quality of critical inquiry that defines RISD students; an attribute recognized by employers.
What sets RISD graduates apart is their constant pursuit of questioning, challenging of norms and pushing of boundaries.
“Employers often identify RISD alumni by their inquisitive nature, indicative of the influence of the liberal arts,” she said.
Another hallmark of RISD's education is a pre-college program, where high school students come to Providence, a city in Rhode Island, in the summer. Attendees live in dorms for the six-week program, while they attend lectures and study with RISD faculty.
Its rigorous education instills not only mastery in a particular discipline but also cultivates the ability to pivot into new realms.
“I think that the critical thinking skills and the work ethic that is instilled in students afford the mastery of a particular discipline when they graduate but also the ability to pivot out of that discipline and into something else,” Williams said.