Bryanna Benicia, EDI '23Product Design, Consumer Products, Social Impact
About
Bryanna’s identity as a first generation Latina has shaped her mission in design. Her role as an engineer and designer centers empathy and human centered design within her work. She witnessed how marginalized communities are often left out of design conversations and how there weren't products tailored to them. She has a passion to remedy this by innovating new consumer products to create a more equitable world. She loves how through human-centered design, products can empower users. Her background in mechanical engineering has given her the technical skills to make her ideas into reality. During her undergraduate education she spent a lot of her time in the makerspaces exploring different prototyping tools. As a maker, Bryanna finds herself at the intersection of engineering and design.
Portfolio
Why EDI?
Bryanna never saw herself as a mechanical engineer. She was an artist, designer, and maker. During her undergraduate education at UC Berkeley, she sought out other design communities on campus to supplement her mechanical engineering courses and learn more about product design. Her undergraduate experience assured her that there was a space that explored more of the intersection between engineering and design. Bryanna chose EDI because of its strong focus on human centered design and innovation. She is excited to build connections with other like minded people at Northwestern University. Through EDI’s interdisciplinary curriculum, faculty, and seamless integration of studio culture, Bryanna can grow as a designer and engineer.
Education
BS, Mechanical Engineering , UC Berkeley
Misc
Bryanna enjoys making music and uses this avenue as an emotionally creative outlet, and even played at an indie music festival in San Francisco. Her other hobbies include drawing, digital art, gaming, and anything crafting. She is interested in getting involved in designing video games.