About Us

Who are we?

We are a RISD Industrial Design (reassembling ID) class called Artwerks! In this social design course, we reject the sterile in favor of the deeply personal, exploring how our identities and lived experiences shape the way we create. We break down barriers between art and design, 2D and 3D, institution and student body, working across disciplines to foster a design practice that is engaged, intersectional, and community-driven. This project was a way for our class to learn about what community means and how there are different layers of community. It's easy to design for yourself- if's harder to design for others- but that's what we do!! We found ways to engage and work with each other, engage in a community practice within the proximity of our campus, create a social interaction and try to give something back to Fox Point/College Hill during our time here.

Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown is a cultural curator and multi-hyphenate social-impact designer, Black futurist, Afro-cosmonaut explorer, and creative connector, she makes ideas visible and problems solvable- drawing on historical knowledge and pop culture to tackle complex issues through a ustice-centered, life-centered lens. Her work centers race, gender, and power, curating vivid, participatory spaces that gather people, elevate underrepresented narratives, and encourage courageous discourse- designing for belonging, agency, and delight.

Brown is an Associate Professor of Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she advances equity-driven pedagogy. A committed community builder in Providence, she is active community and partners across local arts and civic organizations to link classrooms, neighborhoods, and industry. Across these roles, she champions care, accountability, and creative coalition-building to connect people, resources, and opportunities to imagine and prototype more just futures.

Christian Buckendorf

Christian Buckendorf, artist and designer, was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. His upbringing very much so shapes his practice, finding passion and curiosity in natural materials, landscapes, and the environment. He graduated high school in The Woodlands, Texas, and now attends The Rhode Island School of Design, pursuing a degree in Industrial Design. In his spare time he enjoys skateboarding, fishing, making art, and watching movies. Spirituality plays a large role in his life, and creative practice now.He considers himself a Christian Buddhist, focused heavily on compassion, growth, and curiosity.