Lecture: Cas Holman

Easy is Boring: Cas will present a few projects that exemplify her design philosophy and share insights from her voyage since arriving at Cranbrook.

Cas Holman has spent the last 15 years immersed in play, education and imagination. Her philosophy and approach to designing for play was recently featured in the award-winning documentary series “Abstract: The Art of Design” on Netflix. Through her company Heroes Will Rise, she designs and manufactures tools for the imagination. These materials are manipulable parts and pieces which inspire constructive play, imaginative forms, and cooperative interactions between people. Open-ended in their identity, these tools/toys inspire children and adults to imagine the origin and story of the toy as well as how to use it.

She graduated from Cranbrook in 2005 and is now an Associate Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and prototypes her playthings on five acres known as Camp Fun. Cas travels the globe to collaborate with thought and industry leaders in early education, curriculum design, public space and childhood advocacy. Some recent inspiring brave collaborators and clients include Cheng Xueqin, founder of Anji Play (Anji, China), Friends of the High Line (NYC), the 14th St Y Preschool and Jewish Community Center (NYC), and Lego Education (DK).

Sponsored by the 3D Design Department at Cranbrook Academy of Art.