Strategy + Research + Design
CONTACT:  dara.benno@gmail.com
As a transdisciplinary designer, I dedicate my practice to addressing the critical challenges of today and imagining how we can create regenerative models for the future that benefit humans, non-humans, and the natural world alike. Through this life-centered approach, my work is rooted in extensive research and critical strategy to develop impactful interventions that confront what is now known as the ‘Polycrisis’—encompassing global risks that range from environmental threats to societal struggles and technological advancement.
With a Master of Industrial Design from RISD and a background in sculpture and linguistics, my practice lies at the intersection of applied art and design thinking—combining my passion for hands-on making with my dedication to systems change. I'm fascinated by evolutionary lifestyle dynamics as informed by natural disasters, human behavior, and modes of communication. My explorations in transformational objects consider both self-expression and alternative functionality, while maintaining and prioritizing sustainable process and materiality. This work focuses on an investigation of climate adaptation, everyday living, and community resilience, and has been exhibited at international design events including Dutch Design Week and FASHIONCLASH Festival, as well as gained notable recognition at the Core77 Design Awards.
CURRENTLY:
As a freelance strategic designer and sustainability consultant, I work with commercial brands, nonprofits, academic institutions, and community organizations on projects including but not limited to the design of circular models of production and sustainable goods, research initiatives and community events focused on combating the opioid epidemic, and food recovery efforts supporting and scaling initiatives to reduce food waste and food insecurity at both the household and community levels. Collaborations result in artful products, regenerative models, and ethical community engagement supported by impactful experiences and effective narrative development. Clients, partners, and collaborators include Quiet Town, verynice, The Avenue Concept, Sankofa Initiative, Rhode Island School Recycling Project, Brown University, and RISD.
As an educator and visiting artist, I partner with organizations like The Level Up Project in NYC and the Genesis Center in Providence to work with and empower high school students and adults through a hands-on practice of art and design. My workshops range in theme from reuse and disobedient practice to material research and curation of information itself as a creative body of work. 
Looking to collaborate or curious how we can work together? Shoot me a line at dara.benno@gmail.com.
Awards + Recognition
Leadership
2024  Project Drawdown Climate Action Feature, Job Function Action Guide Campaign
2023  Student Notable Speculative Design Award, Core77 Design Awards
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 + Residencies 
2025  A Gathering: Gardens, Portals, Protests, Brandeis Kniznick Gallery
2025  Industrial Design Biennial, Rhode Island School of Design
2024  PORT Sustainable Fashion Show, Philadelphia, PA
2024  Project Blue Sky Climate Designer Residency, New Cuyama, CA
2023  Woods Gerry Gallery Group Exhibition, Rhode Island School of Design
2022  Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, Netherlands
2022  FASHIONCLASH Festival, Maastricht, Netherlands
2022  MID Graduate Showcase, Rhode Island School of Design
2021  Industrial Design Gallery Group Exhibition, Rhode Island School of Design
2023 - Present  Guest Critic, Thesis Advisor, + Lecturer, Rhode Island School of Design
2025  IDSA Student Merit Awards Judge, Providence Chapter
2025  Compost Conference Panelist on Food Recovery
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
2024 - Present  Food Recovery for Rhode Island
2022 - Present  Female Design Council
2022 - Present  Women and Climate
2017 - Present  NYC Fair Trade Coalition 
2020 - 2022  Industrial Designers Society of America
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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