Hi, I’m Sarah, I design through stories, research, and collaboration.
I listen first, to people, communities, and ideas, and transform insights into stories that are human, visual, and meaningful. My focus is on the message, and the story a design tells. I thrive in collective, research-driven environments where design comes out of dialogue and creates belonging.
Contact me at slestephan@gmail.com
In a nutshell.
Storytelling
Spatial Design
Visual Communication
Product Development
Public Strategy
Strategy & Positioning
Design Strategist & Business Development Lead
Gehl People, 08/2022 - 07/2025
Experience Design Strategist
Sitelab Urban Studio, 10/2019 - 08/2022
Project Designer & Design Strategist
Montaag Design, 05/2017 -05/2019
Architectural Designer & Project Manager
HAAS Architecture, 08/2015 -04/2017
Architectural Designer
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, 02/2014 - 04/2015
Teaching Assistant & Guest Juror
California College of the Arts, 01/2012 - Ongoing
Education:
Master of Architecture
California College of the Arts, 09/2010 - 06/2013
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture, with honors
Académie Libanaise des Beaux‑Arts
Storytelling
Downtown West Public Art Vision & Implementation Framework Plan
Google & Lendlease
California College of the Arts Design Guidelines
Equity Community Builders & Emerald Fund
Spatial Design
1951 Coffee Stand
1951 Coffee Company
An 80m Superyacht
Private Client
Viking Museum
The Viking Age Museum
Soak, An Urban Bathhouse
Private Client
Two Bunch Palms
Private Client
Public Strategy
Old Oakland Study
Private Developer
Downtown West Design Guidelines
Google & Lendlease
CCA Design Guidelines
Equity Community Builders & Emerald Fund