Suggestions
Ilyssa Kyu
Design Researcher, Strategist, Writer & Storyteller
Ilyssa Kyu is a design researcher and strategist currently working at All Hands, where she leads teams in user experience research and strategic design for web and digital projects. She has a background in facilitating design-thinking processes, which helps her navigate complex challenges creatively and effectively.23
In addition to her role at All Hands, Ilyssa is also known for her work as a co-author of the book Campfire Stories: Tales from America’s National Parks, which she wrote alongside her partner, Dave Kyu. This project involved extensive research across various national parks in the U.S., where they gathered stories and experiences to share.1
Ilyssa's expertise extends beyond just research; she applies her skills in various contexts, including community workshops and visual design, showcasing her versatility in the field of design and strategy.45
Highlights
Back from my favorite place with my favorite people, recharged, and ready for what's next! ✨ 🌲 🌊 I'm a Senior Design Researcher with over a decade of experience gathering insights that inform and improve products, services and experiences for a range of clients, from nonprofits to global corporations 🤗 I also have experience consulting, building businesses, designing month-long outdoors-focused programs, creating and authoring best-selling books (and card decks!), and generally following my instincts finding joyful ways to leave a positive impact on people and our planet, over profit.
I'm open to any and all opportunities—full-time, in-house, contract, freelance, whatever—just eager to work with some good, kind, and creative people again. If you're looking for somebody with an empathetic, inclusive, unconventional and entrepreneurial mind—I'm your person! Let's talk.
I just hit 'Send' on my sixth and final manuscript (for a while, at least!) 💌 Since getting laid off almost a year ago, I’ve been focused on growing the Campfire Stories brand—expanding into a new anthology series focused on beloved wild regions (not just national parks), including: the Adirondacks, Cape Cod, Chesapeake Bay, Redwood Coast, San Juan Islands and Santa Fe & Taos.
I will forever treasure this time of exploring familiar and new places, traveling solo and with good friends, quiet moments in dunes and forests, and meeting incredible people in places sacred to them. I’m really excited to share updates leading up to their releases in Spring 2025 and Fall 2025—but, I’m also reeeeally tired 😵💫
What’s next? I don’t know! For now, I’m signing off for two weeks to go camping in Maine with my family and relearn how to be out in nature, instead of just writing about it ✌️ 🌲
