Curriculum Vitae
Stella Liechty
Perhaps the most exasperating thing about “me,” about nature and the universe, is that it will never “stay put.”
– Alan Watts
Currently
Salt Lake City, UT
Title
Recovering designer;
Experience Architect
Focus
Systems thinking; life-centered design;
service design for education
Through observation, wonder, and human connection, I enjoy identifying patterns and exploring opportunities for more diverse engagement, innovative educational opportunities, and emergent engagement.
Design is a powerful tool and perspective in the world, but must be regarded with intention and care. As a self-proclaimed ‘recovering designer,’ I’m hoping to remain flexible and open-minded to what the title itself means and work to utilize that in a way that encourages wonder, playfulness, and joy for people across the globe.
I recognize that where my work sits in relation to others will always shift, but I now look forward to breaking trail for curious minds behind me to then explore further reaches of design at all scales. I look forward to collaborating with like-minded people across industry and discipline to move ideas and change forward.
Professional Experience
Experience Architect & Senior Business Systems Analyst
University of Utah | January 2023 to Present
Designing services and systems for new online program development. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create user-centered design solutions including intuitive information architecture and visual mapping for simple communication and continued guidance. Facilitating change management and developing education for systems-wide adoption. Crafting guidelines and documentation for cross-department continuity. Implementing human-centered design strategies to enhance the experience for internal teams, campus partners, faculty and students while encouraging continued evolution.
Member of the Access, Belonging, & Student Success Committee, sub-committee for equitable systems and operations; Employee Engagement Committee, subcommittee for metrics and surveys.
Instructional Consultant & Technical Writer
University of Utah | December 2021 to January 2023
Developed comprehensive operating manual for Digital Learning Experience at the University of Utah. Created engaging student learning experiences surrounding Adobe tools through the Adobe Creative Commons at Kahlert Village. Utilized innovative teaching practices and interdisciplinary collaboration through development of Learning Experience Design cards and communities of practice surrounding instructional design.
Faculty Member
Multi-Disciplinary Design, University of Utah | August 2017 to May 2019, August 2024 to Present
Developed and taught six undergraduate design courses. Co-wrote new Design Thinking workbook for the course of 140 students from all over campus; developed new curriculum for the Experience as Product Design studio of 20 Design students; facilitated sections of Design Foundations Workshop for 20 students entering the College of Architecture. Integrated Design Thinking and human-centered approaches into all curriculum to encourage expansive, curious engagement.
Founder & Creative Director
SL Creative, June 2017 to August 2019
Built a decentralized, people-first creative agency focused on creating high quality brands, strategies, and experiences for both clients and team members. Managed a team of freelancers and part-time creatives to craft creative brand systems and strategies, and branded experiences ranging from branding for early-stage start-ups to neuroscience research communication. Working at the human scale, it was just as important to identify the purpose for creating as much as the creation itself.
Operations Manager & Strategic Storyteller
The Fire Writers Wildfire Communications | February 2021 to January 2022
Worked with land management organizations and government agencies to translate data and research of current and past wildfires to more diverse communities through science communications. Focused on educating and supporting responsible land management and defensive practices for homeowners, managed and collaborated on projects with clients to
craft narratives that encouraged action. Developed operational processes and improved
internal communications systems.
Interim Program Director
Summit Journeys | April 2019 to August 2019
Developed and implemented original curriculum, branding systems, and business strategy to establish fresh community partnerships for outdoor educational programming. Engaged with over sixty children and families in first two months while leading excursions into the local waterways and canyons.
Creative Director
BW Productions | January 2018 to July 2018
Led branding and creative direction for client project. Directed documentary-style video series and promotional videos for clients. Conducted on-camera interviews. Was involved in narrative structure development and editing process. Coordinated and directed in-person event experiences for clients nationally. Developed the intern program to encourage mentorship for local creatives.
Multi-Disciplinary Freelance Designer
Self-Employed | May 2013 to October 2017, May 2019 to December 2021
Collaborated with diverse businesses and organizations across industries to create engaging, functional, and aesthetic communications & products. Projects included metal fabrication for residential and commercial application, book design, UX & UI designs, branding and logo development, and exhibition design.
Education
Professional Certificate
Systems Thinking
Cornell University
2023
Post-Graduate Studies
Design for Social Innovation
School of Visual Arts
2019
Bachelors of Science
Multi-Disciplinary Design
University of Utah
2010- 2015
Published
2019 | Ripple Neuro
Consultant on User Interface Grant for Neuroscience Research
2018 | University of Utah
Initial creation of curriculum and Design Thinking methodology workbook for student use
2014 | University of Utah
Study of building use student use of existing multi-use building on campus including presentation of future use scenarios to University leadership
2013 | University of Utah
Study of the impact of the football fan experience upon joining the PAC-12 Conference
2010 | Brigham Young University
NSF Award #0640847 Continuing Grant for tardigrada research
Volunteer Experience
Wasatch Food Co-Op
Salt Lake City, UT | Summer 2023 – Current
Community Food Bank
Bed Stuy, NY | Spring 2020
Billy Poole Classic
Anaconda, MT | January 2019
Outdoor Retailers Healthy Happy Hour
Denver, CO | July 2018
She Jumps Wild Skills Program
Salt Lake City, UT | Winters 2016-2018
Impact Hub New American Dream Lab
Salt Lake City, UT | October 2017
Adobe 99U Conference
New York City, NY | June 2017
Community Engagements
UWHEN Leadership Conference
April 2024
Through an in-person conversation, we explored the intersection of service design and women's empowerment in higher education. Starting with definitions of ‘service’ in context to women’s work, along with a brief look at the evolution of service roles for women. The presentation then introduced service design principles such as design thinking and human-centered design. The goal was to offer a foundational understanding of service design and spark ideas for applying it in everyday scenarios to support women's empowerment and I was honored to be a part of such a rich dialogue about ways we are able to design services and interactions in the future.
North American Congress for Conservation Biology (NACCB)
July 2020
Presented virtually on the importance of interdisciplinary development and the role design can have as part of the ‘Conservation Design: Combining conservation biology approaches with design to deliver large-scale conservation solutions’ symposium.
MIT Center for Bits & Atoms
February 2020
In-person facilitation an experimental workshop designed to expand our understanding of curiosity and how it’s developed, honed and taught in collaboration with MIT and RiSD Faculty.
Salt Lake Design Week
October 2018
Facilitated a design sprint examining the grocery store experience and exploring how we might improve accessibility, integrate innovation, & make the shopping experience more fun for all abilities.
Universities & Schools
2017-2019
Led multiple workshops at Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College focusing on user experience beyond digital interfaces and employing design thinking to improve social systems. These interactive sessions encouraged students to engage in innovative thinking and practical application within their communities and campuses.
Tools
Adobe Software
Digital Visualization Softwares
Microsoft Office
LMS Software
Impact Driver & Chainsaw
Chef’s Knife
Paintbrush & Pen
Skills
Systems Thinking; Critical Thinking & Analysis; Quantitative Research; Project Management; Teaching & Instruction; Collaboration; Communication; Leadership; Creative Problem-Solving; Adaptability; Mindfulness Practice; Empathy
Languages
English:
Native Speaker
Spanish:
Conversational
American Sign Language:
Can order coffee
French:
Je ne sais pas
Certifications
200H Yoga Instructor
2022 to Present
Wilderness First Aid (WFR)
2016, 2019, 2022 – Current
Membership & Certifications
Design Research Society
Member Since 2024
Service Design Network
Member since 2023
UWHEN
University of Utah Chapter
Member since 2021
AIGA
Salt Lake City & New York City Chapters
Member since 2010
Activities & Societies
Multi-Disciplinary Design
Student Representative
Dean’s Student Advisory Committee
2014-2015
ASUU Assembly Representative
Associated Students of University of Utah
2012-2014
UX Design Intern
Spark Innovations Lab
2013-2014
Steering Committee Member
Office of Engagement, Undergraduate Studies
2012-2013