Dara Benno
Dara Benno is a transdisciplinary designer committed to advancing sustainable systems that address both environmental and social challenges. Her life-centered approach is rooted in the intersection of applied art and design thinking, focusing her practice on addressing complex issues through a strategic, holistic lens. Through her integration of a systems-thinking mindset with a hands-on creative practice, Dara balances consideration of both detail and broad-level perspective to design accessible models, objects, and experiences that spark critical thought and engage individuals and communities in shaping a more resilient future.
Dara holds a Master of Industrial Design from RISD, with an academic background in sculpture and linguistics. Her work spans consulting with community organizations and commercial clients on research, design, and implementation of regenerative systems and engagement strategies that center community voices and prioritize mission-driven impact. From food access and harm reduction to waste prevention and sustainable product development, Dara works to connect the dots across systems and human experience, offering hands-on workshops that empower participants through project-based learning.
These sessions consider a somatic approach to exploratory making through an embodied investigation of themes like reuse, waste reduction, biophilia, and local food systems—engaging with creative practice to uplift community building, cultural identity, and collective imagination. Some partners and collaborators include the Rhode Island School Recycling Project, the Genesis Center, SANKOFA, and Quiet Town.
Her designs exploring evolutionary lifestyle dynamics, as informed by natural disasters, human behavior, and modes of communication, and have been exhibited at international design events such as Dutch Design Week and FASHIONCLASH Festival. Her work has earned notable recognition from the Core77 Design Awards. Dara was a 2025–26 DESIGNxRI Catalyst Program honoree and is currently serving as a 2026 National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellow, with a focus on community-powered food systems in Providence.