Rene Payne

Rene Payne is a Critic (faculty position) in the Graphic Design department at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and director of the multidisciplinary design agency included.

Her career spans work with both community organizations and Fortune 500 companies, using design strategy to break down antiquated social and cultural barriers. Payne's practice integrates graphic design with social equity initiatives, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in the design field.

Rene Payne has received significant recognition including:

• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Inducted into the DesignxRI Hall of Fame in 2012 (first African American designer to receive this honor)

At RISD, Payne has served as a diversity fellow and supported key institutional initiatives including the RISD SEI plan, the MLK Series, and the RISDiversity poster series. She continues to 'pay it forward' by mentoring the next generation of creative talent.

As director of included, Payne leads a multidisciplinary design agency that applies design thinking to complex social challenges across various sectors.