Just before the holidays last year, John Maeda (Associate Director of Research at the MIT Media Lab, author of The Laws of Simplicity) was named as the new president of RISD. I came across this interview on AIGA’s website.
I just love what Maeda says when asked about how he, an artist, will fit in to the “administration” role of a president at such a prestigious institution. Meada responds:
“I think my MO has always been to find design and art even in the most inane tasks. If “administration design” was a field to invent, or even ‘administration art,’ then I am up for the challenge. The number one request I heard from RISD students was, ‘If I am at the most creative school in the world, then I should see that reflected in the administration—no, demand it.’ Innovation can play a role in any situation, I believe.”
What a smart guy. Watch his RISD video here, it’s equally as intriguing as the interview.
