When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the 2020 Design Catalyst cohort was midway through a six-month program aimed at catalyzing their business growth.
Each year, DESIGNxRI runs a competitive application process to create a cohort of design businesses based in Providence that will receive grant funds (between $10,000 and $20,000, thanks to the City of Providence), business mentorship and business development trainings (thanks to Real Jobs RI) to grow their businesses. At the end of each program, called Providence Design Catalyst, the business owners get to show off their amazing work at an in-person showcase event surrounded by political, community and business leaders.
As a way to supplement the loss of this important, in-person event, the 2020 cohort designed an alternative with DESIGNxRI leadership: an online photo story series to highlight their businesses and share their success. This collaborative effort was created by members of the cohort, with a photographer from the group taking the portraits, a videographer shooting and producing a video and each designer submitting content, virtual video, photos and more to round out the material.
The series is being presented through DxRI’s marketing channel, Design is Rhode Island. Rhode Island Inno is excited to co-present this innovative story series. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll highlight these great Rhode Island designers and help you get to know the diverse and wide ranging talent here in lil’ Rhody.
Tell us about your company!
My name is Rue Sakayama and I am an image-maker, a storyteller and an art director. I work with people who are looking to document and share their own stories, as well as artists, designers, construction companies and architects.
What is it about this profession that you find the most rewarding?
Every job I take presents new challenges. Whether I’m working with a new or a repeating client, the job is always going to present new ways of approaching a situation and constantly pushes me creatively.
Finish this sentence! When I’m not designing I’m…
When I’m not working behind a camera or editing on a computer, I am learning about plants, making textiles, roller skating and singing while playing the piano when no one is home. I grew up in NYC with working artist parents who encouraged me to develop my eye and dabble in all kinds of craft, arts and music. I chase new experiences, and being a business owner and a freelance photographer gives me exactly that.
How has the Catalyst program impacted your business?
The Design Catalyst grant program gave me the opportunity to acquire some new gear, shore up some long-term business goals and connect me to a mentor who helped push me to sharpen my ideas throughout the program.
Midway through the program, all in-person programming shifted to an online platform in light of Covid-19. After much discussion about how to do so most authentically, the cohort landed on these very articles along with images to support those business stories which I would photograph. In order to best capture each business and designer, I spent time with each grantee getting to know them and their businesses individually.
The Catalyst Story & Photo Series highlights one thing that I love about being a photographer, which is getting to know my subjects and to be inspired by them.
Why do you have your business in Providence? What drew you to the city?
I like the big town/small city feel of Providence. I like feeling closely connected to my community. Almost everyone in my close community here is not from Providence, but they’ve anchored here. There’s something to that. I want to continue to build connections here, and I want to photograph everything. I want to continue to work with more artists and designers to help tell their stories. I want to be involved in shaping how spaces and products that are made here are seen from places that are not here.
Look through some of Rue Sakayama's work below.
