Design + Research + Strategy
As a multidisciplinary designer, Dara Benno dedicates her practice to advancing sustainable systems in evolutionary lifestyle dynamics as a response to environmental and social challenges. Dara’s design practice is rooted in her dedication to approaching challenges with a critical mind and holistic perspective to develop impactful strategies. She applies her drive for systems change and passion for hands-on making, consulting with brands on the creation of regenerative models that benefit the environment, the business and society through a shift toward the circular economy. 
Dara has a Master of Industrial Design from RISD and a background in sculpture and linguistics. She has partnered with The Level Up Project in NYC to work with high school students on a series of collaborative “Reuse” workshops and has exhibited her work investigating climate adaptation, everyday living and community resilience at international design events including Dutch Design Week and FASHIONCLASH Festival
As a Strategic Design Research Fellow at RISD's Center for Complexity, Dara is collaborating on the development of a design manual for the Anthropocene. She pulls from and expands on her extensive research in climate risk and collaborative response, joining an effort utilizing art and design to envision the roles, norms and values necessary for humanity to flourish.
CONTACT:  dara.benno@gmail.com

Awards + Recognition
Leadership
2023  Circularity Champion Nominee, Barnard College · Columbia University 
2022  Marc Harrison Design Excellence Award, Rhode Island School of Design
2022  Semi-Finalist Student Merit Awards, Industrial Designers Society of America
2020 - 2022  Leopold Schepp Scholar
2020 - 2022  Fred M. Roddy Memorial Scholarship, Rhode Island School of Design
2020 - 2021  Industrial Design Health Grant, Rhode Island School of Design
2020 - 2022  Graduate Merit Fellowship Award, Rhode Island School of Design
2008  Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Fine Arts, Binghamton University (SUNY)
2008  Undergraduate Research Award, Binghamton University (SUNY)
2008  University Art Museum Sculpture Award, Binghamton University (SUNY)

Exhibitions 
2022  Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, Netherlands
2022  FASHIONCLASH Festival, Maastricht, Netherlands
2022  MID Graduate Showcase, Rhode Island School of Design
2021  Industrial Design Gallery, Rhode Island School of Design
2022  Speaker at Industrial Design Lecture Series, Rhode Island School of Design
2020 - 2022  Graduate Community Representative, Rhode Island School of Design
2020 - 2022  Industrial Designers Society of America Board Member, Rhode Island School of Design
2020 - 2022  Graduate Admissions Team, Rhode Island School of Design
2021  Humanitarian Design Teaching Assistant, MIT-D Lab/Rhode Island School of Design

Community
2022 - Present  Female Design Council, NYC
2022 - Present  Women and Climate
2020 - Present  Industrial Designers Society of America
2017 - Present  NYC Fair Trade Coalition 
2017 - 2018  Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator
2010 - 2011  Chicago Public School Art Teacher
2009 - 2011  Milk Factory Gallery Founder + Curator, Chicago

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