Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Federspiel. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Lara Federspiel 002185649
UXDG
B.F.A.
Class of 2023
In the Fall of 2019, Lara Federspiel enrolled at SCAD to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in User Experience Design. From the start, she set a goal of connecting with peers, professors, faculty, and industry designers to enhance her growth as a designer, leader, and person. This unwavering dedication has resulted in her achieving an impressive cumulative grade point average of 3.86. As she prepares to graduate in June 2023, it is evident that she has not only significantly developed her design, leadership, and interpersonal skills but also strives to empower and inspire others to reach their full potential.
Lara’s artistic talent knows no bounds as she delves into a multitude of mediums, including 2D, 3D, digital modeling, animation, and set design. Initially driven to make a difference through medicine, she followed her heart in her junior year of high school and enrolled at the highly acclaimed Savannah College of Art and Design to study animation. It was at a SCAD presentation in Boston that Lara discovered the exciting realm of User Experience (UX) design through SCADpro projects, igniting her curiosity. Working on a group project at the event allowed her to marry her desire to help others with her creativity, and she switched her major to UX design. Her unwavering commitment and tireless effort were rewarded when she was accepted into the program, combining her passion for art and her desire to help people in an innovative and collaborative setting.
In her UX curriculum, Lara has taken on a range of roles, showcasing her versatility as a Research and Strategy Lead in the Intro UX Design, Human Factors, and Interactive Product Design classes. As Creative Director and Project Manager in other classes, Lara’s goal was to excel in her role, learn from her peers, and offer her support throughout the project. With the guidance of her enthusiastic professors and peers, she discovered her expertise in strategy and research, as well as her ability to lead as a powerful yet compassionate and respectful leader. Lara’s love for public speaking and creating dynamic presentations was also heightened, and she remains dedicated to fostering engaging and interactive experiences. Lara values the opportunity to learn not just from her esteemed professors but also from her classmates and the collaborative teams she has been a part of. She is a firm believer in seeking out the most passionate individuals in any given situation and learning as much as possible from them.
Lara’s outstanding UX design skills have earned her numerous awards from renowned organizations. In 2022, she was recognized with 19 awards from the highly-regarded Indigo Design Awards, acknowledging her exceptional work on three groundbreaking projects: Electek, an innovative platform that trains local mechanics on electric vehicles (EVs) and connects EV owners with the trusted technicians, Watercooler, a cutting-edge digital breakroom that fosters connection and collaboration among virtual employees, and Funnel, a revolutionary smart shoe insert that puts users in control of their personal data. Moreover, her Human Factors class project “Use Your Mouth” received a Red Dot Design & Communication Award and an Honorable Mention from the International Design Awards. “Use Your Mouth” aims to promote open and healthy conversations about sex and help normalize the sensitive topic by breaking the taboo and stigma around sex and sexuality. This project is a testament to Lara’s commitment to empowering and educating people through design.
Lara has demonstrated her exceptional UX design skills through her participation in two SCADpro collaborative courses, working with esteemed organizations Deloitte and Marriott. Entering her junior year, she served as the creative director for the Deloitte project, leading a diverse team of designers and innovators to conduct research and develop innovative concepts for the modern military family. The team went beyond the given prompt by developing an empathy-based persona generator to aid government officials in rewriting policies for future military families in order to stay ahead of constantly changing trends. Later that year, in her role as project lead for the Marriott SADpro collaboration, Lara ensured that her team members felt valued and utilized their unique skill sets. She also provided supplementary research and ideation training to peers who were not as familiar with the UX process to ensure they felt comfortable participating in class. At the conclusion of the 10-week collaboration, Lara and her team presented a suite of customizable solutions tailored to the specific needs of each Marriott hotel based on luxury and budget.
Lara’s journey at FLUX, the student-run UX club at SCAD, began as a determined and ambitious freshman. Despite not knowing anyone, she attended every FLUX meeting and would often encourage her friends to come with her, but still showed up solo if no one could come. However, she soon found solace in the familiar face of her mentor, Andrew, who she would look for in the crowd. This experience sparked her passion to become an integral part of FLUX, and she seized the opportunity when StartUp, a thrilling week-long design competition, was announced. Lara rallied her friends to form a rookie team of all freshmen and declared to her teammates that one day, she would be on the stage as StartUp director. Her team’s participation in StartUp 2020 was a turning point, solidifying her love for the UX process and igniting her drive to succeed. Attending every workshop and fueled by the thrill of competition and education, Lara and her team emerged as champions, winning the fan favorite prize and the title of the first all-freshman team to take the crown. This victory only added fuel to the fire, and Lara applied to become a FLUX officer in the spring of 2020. Her unwavering persistence paid off, and she was accepted as the design sprint co-lead alongside Savannah Wilkinson, setting her on a path to co-direct StartUp 2021.
Lara’s journey as a FLUX officer started at the onset of the COVID lockdown. The entire world shifted to a virtual setting, and FLUX was no exception. Meetings were held online, and Lara did not get the opportunity to meet her colleagues in person for nearly a year. This was a challenge for everyone, as they had to adapt to the new normal and find ways to keep the FLUX community engaged, passionate, and bonded. Lara was only a sophomore on the team, but she was determined to make the best of the situation. She closely observed the leaders on the team and took notes on how to be as calm and encouraging as them. Despite the challenges, Lara and her colleague Savannah planned FLUXathon, a 24-hour design competition in the fall of 2020. This would be the first time FLUXathon would be hosted virtually, and no one knew what to expect. However, this was a significant milestone for FLUX, as Lara and Savannah were able to bring in a company collaboration with Duolingo, the first of its kind within FLUXathon. The event was a huge success, attracting the largest turnout FLUX had ever seen. It gave everyone hope that they would find a way through the pandemic and that everything was going to be okay. Lara’s experience as a FLUX officer only a few months in was a testament to the resilience and determination of the team, and it was just the beginning of many exciting things to come.
Simultaneously, Lara collaborated with Savannah to plan StartUp 2021, FLUX’s largest and most complex event, which had to be executed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the virtual format, Lara and Savannah were determined to make StartUp 2021 a historic success. Recognizing the devastating impact of the pandemic on small businesses, they introduced a new track to StartUp 2021 that gave teams the opportunity to either create their own business vision or work with a local, minority-owned small business in Atlanta or Savannah that had been impacted by the pandemic. This track aimed to provide design, marketing, and layout solutions to these selected businesses and awarded four of them with $20,000. Thanks to the virtual format, StartUp 2021 saw an increase in student participation, with teams numbering 85, up from 67 in 2020, and allowed students from Atlanta and e-learning programs to participate for the first time. Additionally, Lara placed a strong emphasis on increasing diversity among the judging panel, resulting in a significant increase in the representation of people of color, from one in 2020 to seven in 2021.
Lara was reelected as the design sprint co-director for her junior year at SCAD, having earned recognition for her leadership and success in organizing StartUp 2021. However, just as the quarter began, her co-director stepped down, presenting Lara with a formidable challenge. Despite the stress and uncertainty, Lara remained calm and came up with a solution. She brought in the talented sophomore Amadeus Cameron to join her as the new co-director.
Together, they set out to make StartUp 2022 an in-person event, taking advantage of the declining COVID situation. However, as the event drew closer, they were faced with a last-minute change, forcing them to hold the event virtually once again. Nevertheless, Lara and Amadeus rose to the challenge, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability by putting in extra effort and attention to detail. Their hard work paid off – StartUp 2022 attracted a record number of participants, with the number of teams increasing from 85 to 117. The duo also launched StartUp’s own Instagram page, which quickly gained over 1000 followers. To celebrate the artistic and passionate spirit of SCAD, two passion prizes of $4,000 were awarded to deserving students. Portfolio reviews with leading companies like Mattel and Google were organized, and a StartUp incubator was established, helping one team advance their concept and win another startup pitch competition. Lara’s exceptional leadership and determination were the driving force behind StartUp 2022’s success. Her ability to adapt to change and her unwavering spirit inspired everyone at SCAD, solidifying her reputation as a notable leader.
As Lara approached the end of her junior year, she was elected co-president of FLUX alongside her friend Matt Ahrens. In her first months in the role, Lara established a mentorship program connecting seniors and sophomores in their first UX class, strengthening the community within the major. Under her leadership, the FLUX core team reimagined the major and minor fair, as well as the SCAD day experience, resulting in a significant increase in interest in the UX major. Lara also initiated a portfolio workshop series featuring student and professor-led workshops to enhance resumes, cover letters, and portfolios. The series culminated with a portfolio review featuring over 20 SCAD UX alumni, bringing the entire UX community together. With her focus shifting from directing StartUp, Lara created a Standard Operating Procedure document to guide future directors and offered her support as logistics coordinator for StartUp 2023. Throughout her four years in the FLUX club, Lara drew inspiration from those she met and strives to be a mentor and role model for future UX leaders and designers.
On top of being the co-president for FLUX her senior year, Lara also accepted a job as SCADpro’s Logistic Coordinator. SCADpro is SCAD’s innovation studio aimed at connecting students with industry professionals, offering a unique learning experience and valuable networking opportunities. As the logistics coordinator, Lara was tasked with promoting SCADpro to students and helping to build a successful program. Lara knew that the key to promoting SCADpro was to get students on board. So she set up class visits, speaking directly to students and answering their questions about the program. Working closely with Brianna Hayes, the SCADpro Operations Manager, Lara helped to develop the best approach to promoting the program. Lara worked on updating the SCADpro website, making it more user-friendly and accessible to students. The website streamlined the sign-up process, making it easier for students to get involved. Lara worked with Brianna to coordinate a team of SCADpro ambassadors and student volunteers who were passionate about the program and helped to spread the word to their peers. To build out a database of alumni success stories, Lara hosted interviews with SCAD graduates who had participated in SCADpro. She gathered their stories and shared them on Instagram, highlighting the successes and career paths of former students who had taken advantage of the program. Through her hard work and dedication, Lara helped to make SCADpro a huge success. By the end of the year, hundreds of students had signed up for the program, taking advantage of the opportunities it offered and making valuable connections in their field. Lara was proud of what she had accomplished and looked forward to seeing the impact of SCADpro in the years to come.
Lara’s passion for diversity and inclusion extends beyond her involvement in the UX community. She collaborated with Bianca Townsend and a group of driven students from the Atlanta campus to organize the groundbreaking Impact Conference 2021, a 48-hour design challenge aimed at sparking meaningful change through exploration and discussion. As an active member of the Leaders of Inclusive Thinking club (now known as Leaders in Tech), Lara is dedicated to building a supportive and inclusive community within the creative industries. In addition to her creative pursuits, Lara was also a dedicated student-athlete, competing on SCAD’s cross-country and track teams during her freshman and sophomore years. She had the honor of representing SCAD at cross-country nationals as a freshman and the Sun Conference Championship in track and field as a sophomore.
From fall 2020 to spring 2021, Lara was the lead UX designer at the innovative mental health startup FullCircle. She formed a seamless collaboration with psychologists, developers, and fellow designers, and together, they crafted a game-changing platform for mental health support. Lara was relentless in her pursuit of excellence and brought her focus on UX/UI, strategy, and social media to the forefront. With her contributions, FullCircle became not only user-friendly but also had a robust online presence, making it easier for people to access the help they needed. Her passion for mental health led her to share her insights on the topic and the importance of reaching out for help at the University of Warwick. Her powerful talks captivated audiences and inspired them to prioritize their mental well-being and recognize that reaching out for help is not only ok but normal.
In the spring of 2021, Lara was appointed as a product design intern for Impactive, a political grassroots outreach system based in Savannah, GA. During her tenure, Lara focused primarily on improving the platform’s information architecture to enhance the user experience. In addition to her work on information architecture, Lara also contributed to the platform’s rebranding and UI design efforts. Her dedication and expertise resulted in a marked increase in user engagement and solidified Impactive’s position as a leading political activism platform.
In the summer of 2022, Lara interned at Amazon in the AWS Financial Technology division, located in Seattle, WA as one of three UX design interns. Over the course of 12 weeks, she was involved in research, design, testing, and development efforts for the organization. Lara’s research and design skills were exceptional, and she quickly became known for her ability to identify complex problems and develop innovative solutions. Her thorough approach to problem-solving, which involved digging deep to find the root issue, resulted in the identification of additional opportunities for improvement. One of Lara’s key contributions was the development of an internal tool that was quickly adopted across all platforms within Amazon FinTech. Her work on this project was widely praised for its impact on the company’s operations and was a testament to her exceptional design and research skills. Lara’s impressive performance during her internship did not go unnoticed, and shortly after, she received a full-time offer to join Amazon on a permanent basis. Her experience at the company provided her with valuable insights and exposure to the financial technology industry and set her on a path toward a successful career. She wouldn’t have achieved this without the support from her friends, colleagues, and professors at SCAD. Their guidance and encouragement were critical to her success, and she is thankful for their contributions. The network she built at SCAD was instrumental in her career and personal growth.
Upon graduation, Lara was awarded as Salutatorian for the SCAD graduating class of 2023.
Lara is deeply thankful for the opportunities that SCAD has provided. During her time there, she has been able to expand her knowledge and skills, as well as form meaningful relationships with her peers and faculty. SCAD’s resources and support have played a significant role in Lara’s personal and professional growth. She is grateful for the chance to attend SCAD and will always look back on her time there with fond memories and a sense of accomplishment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Getting to where I am today has been anything but a smooth road; however, I am very grateful for the privileges and support system I have that helped me get through some of the tough times. I have continuously struggled with mental health and work-life balance throughout my time at SCAD. Up through my junior year, I was completely engulfed in my work that I often didn’t have the time to focus on myself, relationships, or hobbies, and that led me down a very dark road. I was losing passion for design, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future, and I felt like I was never doing enough. However, the winter of my senior year, I took a month-long solo trip to Europe and discovered a whole community of people that treasured memories over money who found love and success in forming heartfelt relationships, not business connections. Since this moment, I started living for the little moments in every day and dedicated at least 30 minutes every day to doing something for me – whether that be reading, painting, sitting in silence, or taking a walk.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I embarked on an incredible journey as a User Experience Design student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I found my true passion in creative direction and user research. However, a profound realization changed the course of my career and personal branding. I transitioned into proudly calling myself a “human experience designer” because I firmly believe that people are more than just users of applications and products – they are intricate beings shaped by their passions, fears, struggles, and culture, which deeply influence their daily lives.
Though design remains close to my heart, I discovered a profound interest in research, driven by an unyielding desire to understand the ‘why’ behind everything. Research allows me to forge strong connections with the people I design for, ensuring that my creations resonate deeply with them. My love for travel has significantly influenced this fascination, as I make it a point to immerse myself in new countries, embrace their cultures, and learn about their unique expressions, like dancing, which speaks volumes about their essence.
During my time at SCAD, I earned a reputation for in-depth research, precision, and fostering a supportive work environment. I always made sure my teammates felt valued and encouraged to explore new skills and interests beyond their known strengths. Through numerous projects, I realized that the best teams thrive on trust and mutual respect. To cultivate this environment, I actively encouraged team bonding beyond work-related topics – be it dinner outings or game nights. Getting to know each other on a personal level, not merely as designers, strengthens our collaborative spirit.
What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to pursuing my passions beyond work. At one point, I faced burnout and almost lost my passion for design. However, I devoted myself to refining time management skills and carving out time for personal hobbies. I found time for slacklining, photography, oil painting, backpacking, and more! This change allowed me to approach every class and meeting with renewed enthusiasm and a fresh perspective. Now, I take joy in inspiring fellow designers to do the same, as I believe that embracing diverse life experiences prevents burnout and enriches our creativity.
This journey as a human experience designer fills me with awe and a sense of responsibility. Each design I create has the potential to touch lives and make a positive impact on the world. I embrace the unknown with eagerness, uncovering the extraordinary in the ordinary and striving to make the world a more human-centered, empathetic, and compassionate place through my work and dedication to the art of human experience design.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Before my journey at SCAD, I had absolutely no knowledge of user experience design. The prospect of diving into something so unfamiliar was undeniably daunting. The fear of not measuring up to others who might possess greater expertise can be paralyzing. However, I learned that in such moments of uncertainty, the key is to surround oneself with people who both challenge and inspire.
It is true there will always be those who know more or excel in certain areas. But rather than seeing it as a hindrance, I came to perceive it as an opportunity for growth. By embracing the company of individuals who push me beyond my comfort zone, I have transformed into a better designer and, more importantly, a better person.
Contact Info:
- Website: larafederspiel.design
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfeders/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larafederspiel
Image Credits
Evan Cunningham Ella Reisinger
