About Me
Growing up in a household where environmental activism and craftsmanship were central, I draw heavily from my upbringing, focusing my designs on disability, environmental consciousness, and joy. As a mother of two, our family's journey has embraced Deaf Culture since welcoming our Deaf daughter seven years ago. Theater, where my journey began, shapes my collaborative spirit and actionable approach.
Design is a tool, and one that can be wielded for positive social impact. By blending discursive design and strategic thinking, I aim to create equitable systems and products. I center end-of-life considerations in my design process, highlight the assets of disability, craft transformative experiences, design communication systems that celebrate self-identity and advocacy, and develop products supporting environmental sustainability.
I'm always open to discussing custom projects and collaborations. Let's connect and explore how we can create positive change together!
Let's Work Together
1. Objects and Products Design | Make Services
Through research, ideation, prototyping, and manufacturing, bring your ideas into form with a tried and true human centered design process.
2. Fabrication
With over 20 years of experience in fabrication, I specialize in soft goods. This includes bags and accessories, LED wearables, upholstery and everything in between.
3. Installation
Installation can turn stories into transformative experiences. From environmental design to video installation make your next project an event.
4. Teaching and Workshops
Currently an Adjunct Professor at the prestigious Rochester Institute of Technology, and with a long performance and storytelling background, I'm comfortable bringing a digestible design process to all sorts of stakeholders.
Awards + Publications
- Co-Presenter, “Preventing and Reducing Wasted Food in Counties, Towns, and Villages—Case Studies from the Rochester and Albany Metro Regions” Locally Sourced: Municipal Green Policy Solutions, Rockefeller Institute of Government, 2022
- RIT College of Art and Design Graduate Showcase Finalist: “Compostable Kidswear,” 2022
- Linked contribution under “Unexpected outcomes when design students use AI as part of their process” by Stuart Constantine, Core 77, 2022
- Team Member, “Discovering and Harnessing the Breadth and Depth of Artificial Intelligence at RIT” Poster Presentation, AI@RIT Summit, 2022
- Featured Work in “Artificial Intelligence in Design” by Juan Noguera, RIT Featured Profiles and Work, 2022
- Co-Author “Could little snacks reduce food waste?” Blog post, Multiscale RECIPES for Sustainable Food Systems, 2022
- Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru) Emerging Creatives Student Summit, 2023
- Climate Corps Fellowship Finalist, 2023
- RIT College of Art and Design Graduate Showcase Finalist: “Mothership,” 2023
- MFA Thesis Show: “Welcome to Club SODA: Ways of Welcoming a Hearing Sibling into the Deaf Community to Encourage Feelings of Acceptance, Belonging, and Lifelong Allyship,” 2023
- 2023 Outstanding Graduate Award Recipient for the College of Art and Design, RIT
- Co-Facilitator for “Artifacts of Annoyance: A Convergence Workshop” 2023
- Co-Author “Whither Convergence” How Design has activated convergence in the Mulitscale RECIPES Food Waste Grant. Part of a special issues in the journal, Ecology. To be released in 2024.
