Stephen Ellis

Sr. Product Designer at Fauna

Stephen (Stef'n) Ellis is a seasoned product designer and educator with a strong background in user experience and interaction design. He currently serves as the Principal Product Designer at Uplevel, a position he has held since March 2023. Prior to this role, he was the Head of Design at Fauna Inc. and has extensive experience in various design roles across multiple organizations, including New Relic, where he worked as a Lead Product Designer.1 2

Education and Certifications

Stephen holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Digital Arts from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Digital Arts from Central Washington University. He has also earned several certifications in User Experience (UX) and Interaction Design, including one from the Nielsen Norman Group.1 2

Teaching and Mentorship

At the Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF), Stephen served as a Design Instructor from August 2021 to July 2022. In this role, he provided mentorship and professional development support to students, conducted workshops, and offered critical feedback on design projects. His teaching philosophy emphasizes user-centered design principles and the importance of integrating user feedback into the design process.1 2 3

Professional Impact

Throughout his career, Stephen has focused on creating holistic user experiences by leveraging research and design systems. He has been involved in redesigning user experiences, conducting user research, and collaborating with stakeholders to align business strategies with customer needs.1 2 His work reflects a commitment to enhancing usability and accessibility across various platforms.

In summary, Stephen Ellis is not only an accomplished designer but also a dedicated mentor who has significantly contributed to the fields of product design and education.