Sarah Alix Mann's work aims to re-frame our connection with nature and with our own bodies, using research and design to question paradigms about how we heal ourselves and the planet. Her designs have been realized in hand-made products, public spaces, natural landscapes, social initiatives, digital platforms, and exhibitions.

Sarah is currently based between La Antigua, Guatemala and Providence, USA, where she is completing a Master’s degree in Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She is the recipient of the RISD Fellowship, the RISD Graduate Commons Grant, and the Fred M. Roddy Memorial Scholarship. She holds a B.A. in Politics from University of California, Santa Cruz, where she focused on extractive industries transparency, as well as social entrepreneurship as an Everett Program Fellow.

Previously, Sarah was part of a core team that designed and opened La Nueva Fábrica, a contemporary art museum and residency program in Guatemala, which she oversaw as the Founding Director.

Before that, Sarah worked with communications and data storytelling at World Resources Institute, where she helped launch several interactive mapping platforms with Global Forest Watch and worked on natural resource transparency with The Access Initiative.

She has likewise worked as a curator, freelance consultant, designer, and writer for a wide range of businesses and nonprofits, including positions in Ghana, China, Guatemala, California, and Washington, D.C.

 
 

Learn More:

  • Rhode Island School of Design

    Round Table Studio

    La Nueva Fábrica / New Roots Foundation

    World Resources Institute / Global Forest Watch / The Access Initiative

    Center for Democratic Development Ghana

    Ashoka

    Fine Line

    Everett Program (GIIP)

    Center for Global, International and Regional Development

  • NO-TITLE
    Normal Objects
    Los Angeles, CA, USA
    March 16 - April 6, 2024
    Featured piece: “Termite Stool”

    Interactions and Connections for the Human Mind
    RISD 2nd Floor Gallery
    Providence, RI, USA
    Nov. 26 - Dec 1, 2023
    Featured piece: “Hum-En” Bioenergy Wearable

    Oh Sh*t
    RISD Industrial Design Gallery
    October 19 - November 9th, 2023
    Providence, RI, USA
    Featured pieces: “Krater” and CNC Milled “Log”

    Emotional/Durable
    RISD Industrial Design Graduate Biennial
    Sol Koffler Gallery
    Providence, RI, USA
    March 17–April 9, 2023
    Featured piece: “Mycorrhizal Messages”

    And She Said
    Galería Panza Verde
    September 1-31, 2017
    La Antigua, Guatemala
    Featured piece: “Gold, Goods & Glory”

  • 2024 - Objects May Shift, Salon Satellite, Milan Design Week

    2021 - Colectivo Último • Juan Manuel Díaz Puerta • Eve Clayes • Jamie Denburg & Sebastian Schloesser • Mod Cardenas • Eve Chayes Lyman • Juan Ripoll • Taller Experimental de Gráfica Guatemala

    2019 - Joaquín Orellana • Clara de Tezanos • The photo archive of La Nueva Fábrica

    2018 - Lake Verea • Lissie Habie Simón Vega •. Alejandra Hidalgo

  • RISD Grad Exchange 2023 - Presented “Better Place Furniture Return”

    Planned and presented Joaquín Orellana’s concert at La Nueva Fábrica

    Planned and presented dozens of exhibit openings and artist talks at La Nueva Fábrica.

    Held communications workshop for the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation Council to reassess and redesign their outreach strategy

    Led two workshops for journalists and civil society in Mexico City in using GFW maps and data

    Panelist at COP21 Green Zone event “Global Forest Watch Climate” in Paris, France

    Directed and designed the Landscapes Laboratory at the Global Landscapes Forum

    Presented at WWF Fuller Symposium at National Geographic

    Directed workshop on building new interactive tools for tracking emissions from deforestation at the UNFCCC’s SB42 in Bonn, Germany, and led interactive audience design exercises

    Presented at Tapestry Conference in Athens, Georgia

    Keynote speaker at A Better World by Design at RISD/Brown University

    Directed mapping workshop at US Department of State, Professional Fellows Congress

    Coordinated WRI participation at Global Landscapes Forum in Lima, Peru

  • Meson Panza Verde

    Enverdece

    Adelante Shoe Co.

    Luna Zorro

    Grupo Alta (Casa Poponoe & Villa Bokeh)

    Universidad Francisco Marroquín

    Global Landscapes Forum

    Initiative 20x20

    Greenbelt Movement

    Strength India

    René Habie

    Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation

    Saqirsan

    National Geographic

    Jane Goodall Institute

    Earth Journalism Network

    Mongabay

    Unilever

    Reforestamos Mexico

    Pomona College

    Burness Communications

    Ojo Público

    UNFCCC

    NOAA

    US Dept. of State

    The Norwegian Embassy in the US

    US Peace Corps