Ariel Prado

Ariel Prado is a Student Production Assistant, and she supports a wide range of design and prototyping projects. She brings expertise in 3D fabrication, mold making, CAD modeling, digital rendering, and hands-on production to collaborative teams across the lab.

Currently in her fourth year of the Industrial Design program, Ariel has also worked in the UIC School of Design Fabrication Lab, further developing her technical and production skills. Her design practice combines iterative, user-centered research with materials exploration and is guided by a commitment to equity, sustainability, and community engagement. She actively pursues community-based design initiatives, including co-hosting a workshop in 2024 that reflected her dedication to inclusive and socially responsive practice.

Outside of her research and academic work, Ariel continues to explore sculpture and ceramics, disciplines that influence the tactile and material sensitivity of her design work.