History of Industrial Design Week 2 Part 2: The Shakers

These videos were made in 2020 as a desperate COVID-era attempt to help keep students engaged in learning as in-person teaching stopped. With no support, no resources, a ridiculous "production schedule," and no idea they would become a sort of permanent record of the time, I just threw them at YouTube. The students mostly didn't watch them, but lots of others did, and that continues to amaze me. I decided to leave them up for anyone who is just curious about design.

NOTE: If you are a current student at Rhode Island School of Design and your professor has sent you here to watch these videos, you should really worry about how much tuition you are paying just to have a teacher sending you to YouTube instead of teaching you themselves. Just saying...

[nicholasgodley]

Brilliant lecture, not a student, but fascinated nevertheless. Thank you for sharing!

[whothewho]

Not A student at RISD but pursuing ID in NYC. Been watching these videos for two days . I’m so inspired

[Lantertronics]

The section at 33:30 is perfect. I'm a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech, and have been looking around to see what other professors have done in terms of creating materials during the pandemic and providing them to the public. I haven't seen anyone else put anywhere close to the amount of work into their videos as Matthew Bird puts into his.

[spencerwhite]

This is the best doc on the Shakers I’ve seen. You so wonderfully captured their essence and beauty while respecting them deeply

[stanleyyeep]

Love this lecturer's lectures. Salute Mr Mathew Bird, good work! Thanks for the enrichment & effort! I wish to be a Industrial Designer during my Polytechnic days in the 1990s but Singapore doesn't have such specialized course those days & support. I LOVE design tangible product...I will make a come back to this trade before I die!

[spikyteamwolfgang]

Hi Matthew, I”m such a big fan. How big ? Well, I’m a stay at home dad in Perth Western Australia. I have two boys, growing up too fast. I will do anything to keep them at the dinner table (iPads are raising my children better than I am) so they are allowed to watch a program at the table, but I get to choose. They hate what I choose, and leave at the first opportunity. Your shaker lecture was the first program they watched to the end, we had a great conversation after about industrial design and we are now working our way through your course. For my part, I hope you post a video on further reading, maybe a book list, please :)

[deborahmatatall]

I appreciate this wonderful episode about Shakers. Also, I enjoyed your shoes very much!🌸

[positivecontact]

I like to think you came to love that crew team! And their music!

[DrSporea]

Absolutely fascinating. By coincidence, I learnt about the Shaker village from another source just this morning. Must be life telling me to plan a visit.

[nasibars]

Aha., ...., . the Algorithm works in mysterious chic serving of mind candy by a

[beulahsbandana]

LOVED this lecture! These people are so inspiring and their designs are gorgeous! Thank you!

[joaotinoco]

How can I support this man?? This is good stuff!

[keeferhuges]

Dear Man: Aren't some neighbours the very limit! But a Gentleman never allows the vagaries of life to disrupt his personal style. And may I offer therefore, top marks?
So much enjoying your lectures.
k

[greatsewing]

That curious drawing reminds me of the drawing in the finale episode of Twin Peaks, imaginative but enigmatic.

[moisturize]

What an incredible resource these videos are. Thank you Mr. Bird.

[a_hsrk]

In the 5th grade we got the chance to see our shaker campus in upstate New Hampshire, it has inspired me so much more than previously thought, this video just makes me want to go back!!

[ruthhughes]

Your lectures fascinate me and I really like your delivery style! I try to watch at least one video a day but sometimes I binge several. Such great information. Hope you plan on doing this for a very long time!

[emmtea]

Been following your lectures avidly Mr. Bird. Thanks from Buenos Aires for the enlightening content.

[abrahamrm]

Sir, I love these lectures . I'm watching them all and I'm afraid I will end them soon. I subscribe to your channel and encourage you to please keep producing this amazing videos in the future. Good work 👍

[jamesboekbinder]

Thank YOU for another wonderful lecture!!!