dagny
bloom
My name is Dagny and...
With seven years of dedicated education and professional experience, I have cultivated a specialization in the outdoor recreation industry, particularly in the design and development of sustainable products tailored to this market. My expertise is firmly grounded in a deep understanding of the dynamics and nuances of the outdoor recreation sector.
Armed with a Master's degree in Design for Sustainability and a solid foundation in Business and Outdoor Recreation Marketing from my undergraduate studies, I offer a distinctive combination of theoretical insights and hands-on skills in my approach to every project. Fueled by a profound passion for this field, I am driven to continually push the boundaries of innovation, creating solutions that not only elevate outdoor experiences but also uphold a commitment to environmental stewardship.
“How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top.”
Product DESIGN & Development
Strategic Outdoor Marketing
Sustainable Product Innovation
WORK EXPERIENCE
BAGS AND TRAIL RUNNING VESTS DESIGN +
SUSTAINABILITY INTERNSHIP
PRODUCT LINE MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP
MOTORSPORT APPAREL
FREELANCE DESIGNER
Education
2024
Master of Fine Arts| August 2021- May 2024
Savannah College of Art and Design - Savannah, GA
-Three Year Master of Fine Arts Program
-Varsity cyclist racing road, mountain bikes, and cyclocross.
-Racing three national events per year.
Major:
Design for Sustainability
Concentration in Design Management
Noteworthy Curriculum:
- Sustainable Materials
- Environmental Science and Sustainability
- Service Design: A Systemic Perspective
- Futurecasting: Trends and Foresight
- Industrial Design Studio I: Discovery to Design Solutions
2021
Bachelor of Arts | August 2017 - May 2021
Lees-McRae College - Banner Elk, NC
-Founder and President of the Lees-McRae Sustainability Initiative.
-Developed and implemented a business plan to make recycling and composting campus wide.
-Varsity cyclist racing road, mountain bikes, and cyclocross.
Major:
Business Management, Outdoor Recreation Market Concentration
Noteworthy Curriculum:
- Marketing Research
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Integrated Marketing Communications
- Consumer Behavior
- Data Analytics
- International Business
mielo
100% Biodegradable Bandage
The Problem:
- The pressure sensitive adhesive used in bandaids is made from plastic, usually acrylic .
- Plastic bandages are made of PVC, polyethylene ,or polyurethane.
Our Solution:
- My team sought to design a new sustainable bandage that used locally-sourced materials, stopped bleeding, and was biodegradable and non-toxic.
- Countless late night meetings focused on perfecting our ideas brought us to the creation of Mielo: A fully compostable bandaid.
Yarrow
Marigold
Material Composition:
- Mielo “bandages” used a pressure sensitive adhesive made of honey and brown algae (specifically sodium alginate).
- Algaes' benefits include hydration, tissue renewal through the diffusion of amino acids, and natural anti-inflammatory properties.
- The adhesive itself also includes a blend of medicinal plants such as yarrow oil (treats pain and inflammation, and repairs damaged tissues), marigold oil (anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial), echinacea oil (typically used to treat burns), nettle oil (accelerates healing process), and beeswax (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, aromatic).
- The fabric we chose to lay over the adhesive was knitted hemp to allow for stretch.
- Not only is hemp biodegradable but growing hemp gives back to the environment by returning nutrients to the soil and promotes carbon sequestration.
Echinacea
Nettle
Beeswax
Sancasa
Overview
The assignment was to develop a fully realized and creative solution that ranks high on Biomimicry's Life Principles, clearly articulates the mechanism and function of a biological strategy of choice, and constitutes an overall improvement to the existing solutions for our desired context.
As a team we decided to look at 20+ organisms to study their form, process, and systems to best address our current human issues surrounding the global climate crisis. After weeks of research we fell in love with the often overlooked Sand Dollar.
Bi-o-mim-ic-ry: is learning from and then emulating natural forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs.
(Biomimicry Resource Handbook)
FORM
The first level of biomimicry is the mimicking of natural form.
PROCESS
Mimicking of natural process, or how a thing is made.
SYSTEMS
The mimicking of natural ecosystems.
"After 3.8 billion years of evolution, nature has learned what works, what is appropriate, and what lasts here on Earth."
~ Janine Benyus
problem to opportun ity
The effects of both hurricane Irma and Maria led to destruction of critical infrastructure which resulted in cascading failures of the lifeline systems of energy, transportation, communications, water supply, and wastewater treatment and impeded response operations.
To address this my team sought out the creation of hurricane proof housing that mimics the evolutionary genus of the sand dollar.
CONCEPTUALIZATION/
EARLY SKETCHES
The structure is modeled after the sand dollar test which is dome shaped and made of interlocking cavities .
The sand dollar has a five-fold radial symmetry with interlocking polygonal plates that allows for high load bearing capacity. Inspired by the adaptability of the sand dollar, our team decided to mimic the plates into a modular system..
The lunules (holes) of the sand dollar act as pressure drainage channels. This morphological feature inspired us to create gaps in between each one of our housing units to minimize the pressure load on the house.
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Private Restroom Stalls
POD 1
POD 2
POD 3
Integral Gutter System
Private Shower Stalls
COMMUNAL BUILDING
Rolling Storm Proof Door
Built-In Island and Storage/Serving Counter
3D Printed Concrete Structure
Communal Kitchenette
Communal Dining Space
Multi-tiered
Communal Garden
Built-In Balconette Seating
Built-In Multi-Functional Loft
SINGLE UNIT FLOOR PLAN N.T.S.
Specified Wind Turbine
Placements
SINGLE UNIT LONGITUDINAL SECTION N.T.S.
MULTI FUNCTIONAL
COMMUNITY CENTER
Library Club
STORM
SHELTER
MODULARITY
Due to its 3D printing construction, Sancasa is designed to act as a modular system. Units can be replicated in proximity to maximize functions. This is a design feature that mimics the natural agglomeration that occurs amongst sand dollars.
The vents at the sides draw cool air in and the vents at the top let warm out. They are both at heights protected from rain, and help regulate temperatures in the pods naturally.
Good
Designing for Sustainable Behavior Change:
The Menstrual Cup Movement
1
Close to 20 billion sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators are dumped into North American landfills every year.
2
500 million people lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities.
3
The plastic components of feminine products can take up to 500 years to break down.
PROJECT BRIEF
Design has an undeniable influence on people’s daily life. With proper research and application it can be used to positively change users behaviors towards more sustainable actions.
My team developed a heavily researched behavior change strategy that increases motivation and the ability for individuals to change their negative behavior (using single-use menstrual products) long-term.
Primary Research
57.9% of survey respondents said they prefer to use disposable products because they're more hygienic.
67.5% of survey respondents that currently use single-use products, said they would try a reusable menstrual cup.
Ideal Scenario
- Making the act of using a re-useable menstrual cup an unconscious habit.
How Might We ...
- Create behavior change amongst those who menstruate.
- Educate the masses about period products global environmental impact.
- Change the stigma around periods.
Packaging
One of the major intervention areas of this project is packaging and the importance it has over a consumers behavioral psychology. We wanted our consumers to react positively to the quality, color, and content.
Product Line
Page Example
JUNE 2024
DAGGER BLOOM
