On February 15th, we launched our Kickstarter campaign for the blog, Let's Just Make That! check it out and make a pledge if you like it. I know that you will. Kickstarter

This has been a great last couple of months for Jessica and Let’s Just Make That!. She now has over 20,000 views on YouTube and has been in 2 publications. And recently she just got some great news. She has made it through to the 1st round of the Rhode Island Innovation Grant Fellowship contest. For those of you who don’t know, this is a new grant where 3 people will be rewarded with up to 300,000 over 3 years to create an innovative business that will bring jobs to Rhode Island. Out of over 430 entries, she made the 1st cut of 37 using the concept of Let’s Just Make that. Now we're playing in the big leagues.

Look out for the new spring edition folks. She's made it! Jessica is featured with 2 other lady DIYers, Amy Devers (MFA 01 FD) from the DIY network, TLC, and Readymade and Tanya Aguiniga (MFA 05 FD) who has been featured in Woodcraft Magazine. I hope to meet these gals and learn a thing of two from them. So glad to see RISD take notice of the Let's Just Make That! movement that is about to take over the nation. http://alumni.risd.edu/s/1363/ RISD XYZ Spring/ Summer 2011|

Yep! That just happened. Hot off the presses. Let's Just Make That! has already hit the big time by being written up in the amazing publication for those wanting to be in the know here in Providence, The Providence Monthly. Check it out this April. http://www.providenceonline.co

Hired by the new Roots Cafe, these tables are just the beginning of installed artwork to take place. The images reflect what is to be expected at the cafe. The dominant themes are: music, conversations and game play, nature, and providence itself.

Next, I will be painting signage and murals throughout the space. Come down, have a drink, listen to some good music, and meet the people.

Check out my artwork on the tables at the new Roots Cafe
http://www.projo.com/music/con

Come check Jessica's booth out at the annual RISD Alumni Spring Art Sale on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 10 am to 4 pm on Benefit Street between Waterman and Hopkins Street. She will be selling ceremic dinner plates with tv sitcom themed subjects. You can by a place setting for up to 6 (including dinner plate, saucer and serving plate) or individual plates if that's what suits your lifestyle. Themes to choose from include: the Fresh Prince, Golden Girls, Diff'rent Strokes, and Magnum PI.

The sale will feature work from other RISD alumni in all areas of work including jewelry, textiles, ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, drawings, apparel and accessories, stationary, and all medium in between! Local bands will play throughout the day and there will an art making space on Frazier Terrace. Check back here for lists of artists in the sale and artist profiles leading up to the sale. www.risdalumnisales.wordpress.

8 pm. Come check out Jessica as she presents with the Extraordinary Rendition Band on the history and pure awesomeness of the ERB. After the presentation they will be infusing everyone's eardrums with their own brand of musical medicine. Don't miss it!

Check out Jessica at Pecha Kucha Providence vol.23 at AS220 at 8 pm. She will be doing a 6 min 20 sec presentation on her newest venture, "Let's Just Make That!" A DIY show that turns anyone into a maker by showing you how to create the objects that you need around the house just by using simple tools, reusing materials, and sourcing locally.

Jessica was a keynote alum speaker who came back to RISD to share her experience of working, networking, and using resources in RI. It was a brief talk with 5 speakers starting with a greeting from the Provost, Jesse Shefrin, followed by an introduction by the Mayor of Providence, David Cicillini, and ended in a networking event between students, alumni, design companies, community leaders, and city officials. The event was meant to encourage future RISD graduates to consider RI as a place to live and work.

This link leads to a video of the speech that I gave for graduation this May. The topic was student collaboration, the future of RISD, and the optimistic future for designers entering the real world in this current economic climate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v

This Washington Times article was written regarding the Chair Affair Competition and exhibit at the National Building Museum in July. Below, the following are more links to articles about the our chair in the Chair Affair competition. http://www.washingtontimes.com

The Chronicle of Higher Education.
http://chronicle.com/blogPost/

Good news! Our winning chair design "Profile and Silhouette" has recently been accepted as one of ten designs for the Green Furniture Exhibition next year at the Milwaukee Art Museum. On top of that, the foundation putting on the show has purchased the set of chairs from us for $2000. Now that's what I'm talking about.

My recycled cardboard chair, "Profile and Silhouette" was recently on display at the 2009 PACK Expo in Las Vegas along with the top 2 other designs. Also, it was there at the ICPF (International Corrugated Packaging Foundation) that I received my 2nd place award on behalf of me and my partner.

Jessica Brown and undergraduate Industrial Designer Winstion Mi placed 2nd in the 2009 AIAS/ICPF Chair Affair Design Competition, designing and fabricating a chair made out of reused cardboard. They competed against 171 other design submissions. The chairs, Profile and Silhouette, are going to exhibited at the National Building Museum in D.C. for the summer and then Las Vegas. Also, the chairs will be published in the press (Crit Magazine) and possibly in a short video.

Jessica Brown has been nominated by her classmates and chosen by a graduation committee to deliver a graduation speech speaking on behalf of her fellow graduate students.

This is an award that recognizes a student who has been a leader in addressing environmental concerns through an industrial design context. This award calibrates the chosen students determination to champion the critical role design plays concerning the future.

Awarded by the faculty of the Industrial Design Department Division of Architecture and Design-Rhode Island School of Design Commencement 2009.

A Better World by Design brings a global community of innovators to Providence, Rhode Island, to reach across disciplines and unite under a common goal. Presenters share engaging stories, workshops teach creative skills, and discussions reframe perspectives. A Better World by Design is an immersive experience that deepens our understanding of the power of design, technology, and enterprise to reshape our communities and sustain our environment.