What is mOb studiO?
Middle of Broad, or the ‘mOb studiO,’ is an experimental design lab that brings together VCU departments to collaborate and support the next generation of designers, artists, and planners. Offered as an elective studio course, mOb provides VCU students with hands-on experience in community-engaged design. The lab operates on the belief that good design fosters a healthier city where citizens are more engaged with their environment, government, and culture. Guided by faculty and professional mentors, students collaborate directly with regional clients on meaningful projects. Through partnerships with local organizations, mOb aims to be a supportive neighbor, exploring innovative solutions to community challenges. Past projects have included creating signage concepts for the James River Park System, developing retail strategies and garment collections for Carytown merchants, designing rainwater collection systems for Richmond neighborhoods, rethinking community engagement in participatory budgeting, and more. To see mOb studio projects in progress, join us at one of our open studios during the Richmond Arts District First Fridays Art Walk, or follow us on Instagram!
Collaborate With Us
VCU students
mOb studio is offered to VCU students during fall and spring semesters as either a 3-credit or 4-credit studio course. For more information, feel free to email the current mOb studio faculty. For Spring 2025 enrollment: IDES 405 Middle of Broad: Interdisciplinary Community-Engaged Design Studio (6 studio hours, 3 credits)
Community members
If you are a community member interested in working with mOb studio, please submit a project request through the Storefront for Community Design’s Design Sessions Portal. If you have any questions, feel free to email Professor Emily Smith.
Faculty member or local professional
If you are a VCU faculty member or local professional interested in teaching or mentoring with mOb studiO, please email Professor Emily Smith.
Our work
mOb jOb is a week-long project that occurs every semester. A Guest Designer is invited to lead the project which is focused on making for and with the community. The Fall 2023 Guest Designer was artist and Assistant Professor within the Department of Craft/Material Studies Hillary Waters Fayle.
Ski/Ska mOb jOb, Fall 2022 modular civic zoology— complimentary creative edibles and ambient soundscapes
mObjOb this semester we are led by visuali extraordinaire, john malinoski, a returning mOb founder
This past summer, the VCU School of the Arts in collaboration with mOb asked for designs that conceptually reconsider Monument Avenue, the 5.4-mile street in Richmond that features several Confederate statues erected during the Jim Crow era.
Community Partners
Moments of Hope Outreach operates a resource center in the city of Richmond. MoHope provides emergency shelter to our unsheltered neighbors, operates a food pantry, and hosts a weekly community outreach luncheon rain or shine. Learn more.
The vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School is to ensure success for all of our students by creating an inquiry-based learning environment where students question and investigate the world around them. Learn more.
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Learn more.
From new, life-saving procedures or a clinical researcher who finds promise in a new cancer treatment, we’re making possibilities a reality. Exciting new medicine is happening at VCU Health – every day. Learn more.
mOb studiO
mOb studiO
205 E Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219