Designing for Impact Lessons learned by a Pratt MID Alum ’19

The interface of design and society is one most primed to initiate change and make an impact…but where do you start? In this discussion, Pratt MID ’19 Alumni Garrett Benisch will share lessons learned carving a pathway toward impact before, during, and after his time at Pratt. Garrett is currently in his sixth year applying his thesis work at scale; transforming sewage sludge into a carbon negative material for use in industry. He began a focus in design for impact as a fellow at MASS Design Group in Kigali Rwanda prior to his time at Pratt. A presentation by Garrett will follow an open discussion meant to aid any student looking to direct their projects toward research based impact.

Garrett Benisch is Chief Development Officer at Bioforcetech Corporation, a Bay Area company turning organic waste into carbon negative materials. Garrett has been co-developing OurCarbon, Bioforcetech’s flagship product made from wastewater sludge, for various markets ranging from concrete to fashion. As a municipally derived material used in industry, Garrett spends time at the intersection between public infrastructure, policy, science, and new markets.