C.V.

I'm a design strategist and systems thinker, navigating and making sense of complex social systems. I am passionate about materiality and the tactile experience of craft work. Personal endeavours include weaving, zero waste fashion development, seasonal cooking, agroecology, and ceramics.

My work centres around holistic and inclusive systems informed by situated research and engagement done within communities. I’m interested in relational ecology and the ways we can find better symbiotic balance within ecosystems rather than seeing ourselves apart from them. As a systems thinker, looking to the future impact of the work we do now, I think it is important to create space for many voices through inclusive practices and critical inquiry. Connecting with communities and working with collaborative storytelling/making is an important part of my practice. My ethos of design is not one of novelty and newness but rather informed by the intersections of modern competencies, social inclusion, and traditional practices.

Innovation is about what’s next but not necessarily new – innovation born from tradition seeks the genesis of issues, asking the questions “why does this exist?” and “how can it bring value for a more equitable future?”


Professional Experience

2022 - Ongoing
Postgraduate Service Design Lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art, Innovation School. Focus on relational systems for regenerative futures.

2021 - 2022
Graduate Designer, Glasgow School of Art, Collaborative Futures: Glasgow’s Food Future - Local Ecosystems of Social Innovation in 2031

2019 - 2022
Design Lead at intertempi GmbH, Berlin. Hybrid Working SAAS product and building coworking communities across Berlin

2016 - 2018
Creative Director at Wild Heart Collective Ltd, building community resilience and place-making within Arts, Culture, and Agriculture. Edmonton AB

2012 - 2019
Lydia Stewart Design & Consultancy

2015
Design Internship at Sticks & Stones Agency, Edmonton AB

2014
External Programming Assistant at Latitude 53 Contemporary Gallery, Edmonton AB

2014 - 2015
Graphic Design, the Student Design Association, Edmonton AB

2012
Works to Work Festival summer internship as Production Assistant, Edmonton AB


Education

2020/21
Masters of Design Innovation and Service Design. Glasgow School of Art
// on Scholarship

Receiving first class honours for my thesis ReRooting Together. Studies included: Permaculture, Circular Economy, Design Innovation, Service and Systems Design, Storytelling, Relative Ecology.

2010/2015
Bachelor of Design with Honours. University of Alberta
// Three time Jason Lang Scholarship & Rutherford Scholarship Recipient

2012
Köln International School of Design Service Design
// DAAD Scholarship, to KISD Recipient


Awards

2022 Service Design Awards Honourable Mention / Global Case Study

2021 Glasgow School of Art Innovation School Chairman Medal Recipient.

2021 Glasgow School of Art Foulis Medal Nominee

2014 Southgate Eco-Fashion Design Challenge Winner (w/ Anna Campbell)

 


Exhibitions

2022 GSA School of Innovation WIP Show

2021 GSA School of Innovation Postgraduate Degree Show

2016 Pop Pop: SDA pop-up shop at Enterprise Square

2015 Running with Scissors: University of Alberta Bachelor of Design Grad Show

2015 Parka Patio: YEG Fort at Latitud53

2014 Pop Pop: SDA pop-up shop at Enterprise Square

 

2014 OFF THE WALL: Art and Design Auction at Enterprise Square

2014 Synesthesia: SDA annual design show at Latitude53

2013 Design Research Exhibit at University of Alberta Rutherford Atrium

2012 Sweat Off Your Brow: SDA handcraft show at Enterprise Square Gallery


Volunteerism

2020/21 GSA School of Innovation Class Lead Rep

2018 Communications Specialist for St. Paul’s United Stewardship Committee

2016 Committee member for Wild Heart Society for Vibrant Communities

2015 VCD Chair for University of Alberta Graduation Committee

2014 Designer and co-organizer for “OFF THE WALL” Art and Design Auction

2014 Executive organizer of Synesthesia Design show at Latitude53

2013/2015 Student Design Association Executive Board Member

2011  Volunteer for The Works Art and Design Festival

2011 The Works annual gala

2011  Student Design Association


Socials

Instagram @lydiajstew

Linkedin Lydia J Stewart