MA Design Engineering (MADE) program

Jonathan Knowles is a RISD Professor of Architecture, a Brown Visiting Professor, and Co-Director of MADE at RISD, specializing in architecture and sustainable materials. Since 2001, Jonathan has taught in RISD’s Architecture department, where he leads studios and seminars in performative architecture, focusing on energy-efficient buildings. In addition to RISD, he has shared his expertise at the City College of New York, Parsons, Cornell, and Columbia University. Jonathan’s commitment to sustainable design is evident in projects like the modular building system he developed in collaboration with CertainTeed/Saint-Gobain, resulting in a 140-sf pavilion inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond cabin. He also directed the Saint-Gobain International Student Competition, which focused on revitalizing an area of Lisbon, Portugal, and enabled RISD students to showcase their work internationally. In his role with MADE, Jonathan brings skills in sustainable design, collaborative project management, and the integration of cutting-edge materials, inspiring future designers to create impactful, energy-conscious architecture. Click here to learn more about our MADE Faculty: https://buff.ly/40ZCvuU Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Spacious (Dan Rappoport '22) is a handheld construction robot improving 3D printing in space. After Dan's graduation from the MADE program, it evolved into Mark II with support from Brown University and NASA RISG. This iteration uses computer vision-based auto-stabilization and an AR interface for real-time construction guidance. The AR interface shows operators where to build layer by layer, while stepper motors stabilize human imprecision. Click the link below to learn more about some of our students’ projects: https://buff.ly/48u2X3P Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Want to learn more about applying to the MADE program? Join our virtual info session on “crafting your portfolio” on October 23rd at 10 AM EST to hear from our faculty and take part in a live Q&A! Link below: https://buff.ly/3Uia2OO #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Little Chef (Ava Garfinkel ‘23, Aalim Rattansi ‘23, Vivian Chan ‘23, Jeffery Brewer ‘23) is an interactive game that introduces basic coding principles to 7-11 year-olds. Players choose a recipe and arrange a board with the necessary components. By placing tiles in sequence on a rack, they program a chef to move around the board, following the set instructions. Visual and audio feedback helps players track the chef's progress and debug errors, promoting hands-on learning in a fun, engaging way. Click the link below to learn more about some of our students’ projects: https://buff.ly/48u2X3P Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Want to learn more about applying to the MADE program? Join our virtual info session on Wednesday, November 20 at 10 AM EST to hear from our faculty and take part in a live Q&A! Link below: https://buff.ly/3YyeGuW #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Treeborg (Sebastian Calvo '24) merges technology and biology, blurring lines between grown and built environments. Attached to trees, it collects data on health, soil, and surroundings, processed in the cloud. A custom AI gives the tree a voice, providing humans with care instructions. This project was featured at the MIT Museum's "After Dark: Grow" event and won the 2024 Outstanding Capstone Project Award by Brown School of Engineering. Click the link below to learn more about some of our students’ projects: https://buff.ly/48u2X3P Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Dr. Chaki Ng is an Adjunct Lecturer in MADE specializing in human-computer interaction, AI, and distributed systems, co-teaches the MADE Spring Studio teaching team for ‘24-’25, and is co-developing a course in Designing With Emerging Technologies. With experience as CPO/CTO at startups like Forge, Hopps, and Luminopia, Chaki also served as SVP of Product at Paramount/Viacom, leading digital products for brands like MTV and founding innovation labs, including Viacom NEXT for VR/AR. He holds a PhD and SM in CS from Harvard, an MBA from MIT Sloan, and a BS in CS from Northeastern. In his role with MADE, Chaki will advance skills in emerging technology, user-centric design, and AI applications in design engineering at both Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Click here to learn more about our MADE Faculty: https://buff.ly/40ZCvuU Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

ChromaCalm (Panyanus “Pear” Jansomwong ‘24, Kexin Wang ‘24) is an AR tool designed to boost cognitive efficiency by managing sensory input. Custom glasses with transparent OLED displays dynamically filter and modulate visual environments, reducing distractions and prioritizing task-relevant information. Through real-time video segmentation and advanced algorithms, ChromaCalm highlights essential elements and dims background noise to enhance focus and mental performance. Click the link below to learn more about some of our students’ projects: https://buff.ly/48u2X3P Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Dr. Elisabeth Sylvan is an Adjunct Lecturer in MADE specializing in technology, ethics, and AI, with a focus on sociotechnical systems that support creativity, shared knowledge, and learning. Her work explores AI, AR, and VR in relation to data empowerment, digital identity, and ethics in education. She is also a Senior Fellow at ITS Rio, a Lecturer at TUM, and Senior Director at the Global Network of Internet & Society Research Centers (NoC), where she advises on AI’s social impacts and leads the NoC Museum Project. Formerly in executive roles at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, Dr. Sylvan developed interdisciplinary programs in tech ethics and policy. She has consulted widely in the nonprofit sector, with funding from the NSF and MacArthur Foundation, and holds an M.S. and Ph.D. from the MIT Media Lab. In MADE, she brings expertise in ethical technology design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and educational technology applications to Brown University and RISD. Click here to learn more about our MADE Faculty: https://buff.ly/40ZCvuU Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering

Dr. Ian Halpern is an Adjunct Lecturer at Brown University specializing in medical device design and entrepreneurship. He co-teaches the MADE Fall Studio. Ian has served as a principal investigator for DARPA- and NIH-funded neurotechnologies and has consulted for Fortune 500 companies. He has co-founded and served as CEO of two companies and is the sole or lead inventor on more than ten U.S. patents. Ian’s inventions and engineering work include implanted neural interfaces and an FDA-cleared, life-supporting manual ventilator that received an international GOOD Design Award. In his role with MADE, Ian brings entrepreneurial and technical expertise to develop lessons in iterative design and innovation-driven engineering. Click here to learn more about our MADE Faculty: https://buff.ly/40ZCvuU Click here to learn more about and apply to the MADE Program, and register for our upcoming virtual info sessions: https://buff.ly/40ubobe #BrownUniversity #RhodeIslandSchoolofDesign #MADEProgram #Brown #RISD #MADE #Design #Engineering #DesignEngineering