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August Clambake
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How Graphic Design and Illustration Generate Community Engagement
August 5th | 6:30 – 8:30 PM
195 District Park, Providence, RI 02903
What role can graphic design play in shaping the way people experience public space? This edition of Clambake: Creative Conversations explores how graphic design, illustration, and visual storytelling can invite curiosity, participation, and connection. Set within Providence’s 195 District Park, the conversation will feature two designers whose projects have used the park as both inspiration and canvas for engaging the public through visual communication.
Through their work, we’ll examine different approaches to creating site-responsive graphics and imagery, and discuss how design can transform everyday spaces into opportunities for discovery, interaction, and community building. From wayfinding and placemaking to illustration and public engagement, the conversation will explore how designers respond to place, audience, and context.
Join us for an evening of short talks and conversation in the beautiful setting of Providence’s 195 District Park as we consider how graphic design can shape experiences, foster connection, and activate public space.
THE VENUE
195 District Park
Providence, RI 02903
195 District Park is a seven-acre urban park located along the Providence River. Connected by the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, the Park connects the east and west sides of the city and has views of the skyline and the Providence River.
195 District Park opened in 2019. It is heavily programmed with over 300 unique events held in 2024. Events include concerts, community gatherings, art markets, conferences, family activities, fitness and movement classes, film screenings, and more. There are approximately 5,000 visits to the Park daily and over 1.8 million total visits in 2024.
The Park aims to be a vibrant and active public space that improves the quality of life for residents and workers in Providence and supports the development of an innovation district. For more information about 195 District Park, visit www.195districtpark.com.
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Ryan Dean
LUMUKU
Ryan Dean is a local illustrator and designer working under the creative name LUMUKU. With the aim of making the world a brighter place, he has created over 200 LUMUKU characters (or friends!) and they exist everywhere from language learning card games and silkscreen prints to murals and public art installations.
Buena Gráfica Social Studio
Tatiana Gómez and José Menéndez
Buena Gráfica Social Studio is an interdisciplinary communication design studio centered in community building through design. Through the lenses of community engagement, graphic design, printmaking, and public space interventions, Buena Gráfica’s work examines the design practice as a platform for multilingual and multicultural communication at multiple scales. Buena Gráfica is run by Tatiana Gómez and José Menéndez, whose work has been recognized by Graphis, the Society of Typographic Arts, the Type Director’s Club, Dezeen, and Graphic Design USA.
José is an Assistant Professor in Graphic Design and Architecture at Northeastern University. He has an MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design, an MS in Marine Science Communication from the University of Rhode Island, and a BS in Landscape Architecture from Temple University.
Tatiana is an Associate Professor in Communication Design at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She holds an MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BFA in Design from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia.
OUR JUNE CLAMBAKE: CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS IS SPONSORED BY
Clambake: Creative Conversations is a free speaker series open to everyone who loves design, professionals, students, and the simply curious alike. Each gathering brings together designers, creatives, and design enthusiasts to share ideas, spark inspiration, and connect with Rhode Island’s vibrant creative community.
Hosted in partnership with a local community organization and businesses, every event features emerging and established designers speaking on a shared theme. Through 15-minute presentations followed by an engaging Q&A, speakers offer fresh insights, personal experiences, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your own creative practice.
Since 2018, DESIGNxRI has been facilitating these meaningful conversations with Rhode Island’s design community. This series is one of the best ways to meet new people, learn from local creatives, and be inspired by the design happening all around us.
Join us, bring a friend, and be part of the conversation.
Check out some of our previous Creative Conversations speakers and venues!
Interested in being or nominating a Creative Conversations speaker?
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