Lara Cornell MASD ‘24
Topic Overview
The MASD program offers a valuable opportunity to explore your interests and use the capstone or thesis to deeply focus on what you're truly passionate about and where you can make an impact. By doing so, you’ll graduate with a strong foundation of knowledge in an area that excites you and aligns with your goals. This sets you up to further pursue research, education, or work in that field. When I completed the program, I left with a clear sense of passion and direction. While I didn’t have every detail figured out, I knew I wanted to continue building on what I had started.
Bio
Lara Cornell is an artist, sustainability advocate, and 2x international bestselling author dedicated to championing sustainable business practices for creatives. Holding an MA in Sustainable Design and Biomimicry, she empowers artists, artisan businesses, and organizations to integrate sustainability into their work through tailored consulting, education, and research. Lara specializes in circular economy and soil-to-soil design systems, offering innovative solutions for creating more regenerative and future-focused business practices.
Her research on biological pigments and transforming food waste into biomaterials has earned her recognition as a merit-based scholar and the prestigious Van Derlip award. This innovative work addresses environmental challenges, promotes circular economies, and redefines sustainable creativity in alignment with global sustainability goals. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Lara is a passionate advocate for regenerative practices, innovation, and meaningful change in the creative industry, inspiring others to align their artistry with the planet’s well-being.