b. San Diego, California
Richard “Jesse” Baltazar is an interdisciplinary artist and designer currently studying at the Rhode Island School of Design.
CONTACT
BFA Industrial Design
2023-Present
George Washington University, School of Engineering and Applied Science
Non-degree seeking studies, Mechanical engineering
2022-2023
2023-Present
Initial product development.
Prototyping.
Design consulting.
Fabrication of one-off/small batch productuction.
Manufactuing advisor.
Conceptual guidance.
Metal Shop Monitor/supervisor
Rhode Island School of Design
2024 - Present
Supervising student use of the metal shop.
Maintaining safy standards.
Machine repair.
Assisting Students in project ideation and execution.
Lab Assisntant/Fabrication Specialist
George Washington Univeristy S.E.A.S.
2022-2025
Fabricating and designing experimental apparatus for the physics, engineering, and bio-medical departments.
Maintaining equpment and machines.
Assisting undergrad students capstone projects.
Special Project Assistant
Dr.Theodore Morse
2023-2024
Assisting in the development of a consumer medical device.
Rapid Prototyping.
User testing.
CNC Machining
Precision Metal Work
Manual Machining
3D Rendering
Hand/Didgital Drafting
Illistration
Protoyping (works like/looks like)
Welding (TiG, MiG, Braising)
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Carpentry/Fine Wook Working
Mold Making & Casting
3D Printing
Adobe (suite) Programs
Python
C++
2025
Last Updated 07/07/25
5051 aluminum, basswood (ply), balsa wood, string, tracing paper.
2025
Inspired by the early days of aviation and the human desire for flight, Asym-Ovoid explores traditional aeronautical construction methods through the delicate nature of an egg.
Jesse was invited to create this sculpture for “Early Bird,” a group show at Palo Galley (NYC) curated by Sascha Lewit. The show navigates the significance of birds in art and culture throughout history.
7071 Aluminum, Plaster, Sand, Rock, Dirt
2025
This is the first work from an ongoing series of sculptures that attempts to imagine the reminisce of our society and technological advancements.
“If we solve our plastic problems, our wasteful habits, and focus on improving our world through science and technology… How will this effort be remembered in 2000 years?”
Fossil No.1 is a CNC machined, A.I. (topological) optimized bracket for a robotic arm that was damaged in the manufacturing process.
Generative Visualization of Emotion
2025
Inspired by the Rorschach test, this project evokes a visual response to emotion rather than provoking an emotional response to imagery (as in the original Rorschach test). The system generates these images by distilling the user's input into basic key words that determine the placement, size, density, and opacity of the “ink blots.”
Steel, PETG, 6061 aluminum, silicone, glass, misc. electronics
2025
This prototype was created to test the effectiveness of a small-scale radial algae growth system.
Traditional stand alone lights have shades to dampen the bright light down to something with ambiance better suited for the home. The goal of this project is to passively capture the unwanted energy and redirect it into either nutrients or fuel, both of which can be derived from various species of algae. At the least, having something growing helps scrub the air of CO2 while emitting oxygen into the room.
R. Jesse Baltazar & LIMBO ACCRA
Plywood
2024
Limbo ACCRA approached Jesse in the winter of 2024 to design a chair, stool, and table. The concept that LIMBO ACCRA provided was to use the roman numeral IV as the structure for the objects (chapter number 4 from Dante’s Inferno that describes limbo). Through many iterations and working closely with the Limbo ACCRA team, Jesse materialized the final design as a monolithic piece of plywood. The strength of the final structure allowed for the object to be used as both a stool/chair and a table (if oriented upside down).
Aluminum, steel
2024
The great human dialog speaks though ritual objects. Whether it's a metal and silicone box that humans stare into seeking "ultimate knowledge,” or ancient wooden crosses weaponized to ward off the Ouga-Wooga spirits, we love our things. Always have, and always will. 2025 is the dawn of artificial intelligence, and we have to ask: What will robots love? What will their rituals be, and what objects will they worship?
Jesse has been crafting and testing various geometry with a range of robots, so far the results have been nothing but disappointing. These objects seem to be treated as merely toys, and maybe that's a good thing. Robots need to have fun too.
Mahogany, Ash [wood]
2024
Precision instruments are to be treated delicately and with respect as to not tarnish their usefulness. This form of protecting rulers was inspired by Shikomizue, a plain scabbard used to transport or store katanas in order to protect them from oxidation or other damage. In this case, the scabbard also protects other items from being damaged or scratched by the sharp corners of the rulers while transporting them in a bag. The stand was designed to display the stored rulers in a way that pays homage to traditional Katana-Kake (sward stand) while using western construction methods.
Autodesk Fusion 360 “Generative”
2023
Robot Parts designed by Jesse with Autodesk Fusion 360 “Generative Design.”
Wood, glass, rubber tubing, wire, ceramic, misc. electronics
2022
The PBR system is a functional sculpture built to communicate the concept of aquaponics through a common and accessible visual language.
Beer cans are used as the growing vessels, all the plumbing is done in clear tubing so viewers can follow the flow of water, and a system of truss structures are used to relate the system to urban architectural features (bridges, water towers, scaffolding, etc.).
© Richard J. Baltazar 2025