About Me


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Hello and welcome! I am a convergent designer and maker based in Rochester, NY, with a passion for accessible design and sustainability. My journey has been shaped by a long rich arts/tech background, having collaborated with cutting edge creative companies like The Jim Henson Company and Blue Man Group.

Raised by an environmental-activist turned contractor and a craftsperson turned Occupational Therapist, my designs are heavily influenced by my upbringing and center disability, the environment, and joy. As a mother of two, our family has embraced Deaf Culture since welcoming our Deaf daughter six years ago.

Theater, my first love, informs my collaborative spirit and actionable approach to work. With 16 years of experience in the arts in New York City, I recently graduated with an MFA in Industrial Design from Rochester Institute of Technology, expanding my creative process to include materials such as wood, metal, and ceramics.

My passion lies in utilizing Industrial Design as a catalyst for Social Impact. With a focus on the convergence of objects, access/sustainability, and strategic design to create equitable systems and products. Such as through centering end-of -life in design process, asset-framing disability, crafting transformative experiences, communication systems that celebrate self-identity, products supporting self-advocacy, and disruptive environmental design.

I love discussing custom works and collaborations, so feel free to reach out. Let's explore how we can make a positive impact 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.


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Awards + Publications


Ariella Knight Compostable KidswareImage
  • 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.