ALYSSA UTECH

Alyssa is our cheerleader – building and promoting the FEH brand. She is all about generating conversations and graphic design. Her laughter can fill the entire Sioux City office.

How did you decide on your career path?

While on my high school yearbook committee, I discovered my niche of organizing and designing layouts. This led me to pursue an education in photography, graphic design, social media, and advertising from Briar Cliff University.

What is your favorite part of the design process?

How can I pick just one favorite?! I love exploring historical buildings, especially before they are restored. I enjoy reading our clients’ brand books and designing graphics that match their vibe and style. And, of course, I love Spark Sessions – it makes my cheerleader heart jump for joy! Seeing a community rally together to design their future is powerful.

How are you creating vibrant communities through design?

I’m honored to serve on the board of directors at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland and to share my talents with such a loving charity. With incredible grants, supporters, and an FEH Design donation, we renovated the main floor of the House. The project added another guest room, brought the laundry room to the main level, and renovated the kitchen and living room areas. With their bright and colorful new, branded space, the House can better provide comfort to families with children receiving medical treatment in Siouxland.

What makes Siouxland a great place to live?

It’s the best of both worlds. My husband is a third-generation crop and cattle farmer, and we live on the family farm in rural Nebraska. I enjoy the open space and natural beauty of the countryside just as much as the energy and experiences the city offers. My days include working downtown, grabbing a coffee from a café or food truck, running kids to sports practice, bottle-feeding a calf, and ending the night under a sky full of stars (with a load of laundry somewhere in there too!). It’s a life I wouldn’t trade for anything—pinch me!

As a graphic designer in an architecture firm and a mom of three grade-schoolers, I love finding ways to introduce my kids to the creative and technical sides of design. Architecture is all around us, and there are so many fun ways to help children develop an appreciation for it!

Books That Spark Design Curiosity

📖 Iggy Peck, Architect – A fun story about a kid who loves to build with lots of… interesting materials.
📖 Pantone Colors – A vibrant book showcasing colors in perfect Pantone fashion—every graphic designer’s favorite tool!
📖 The World Needs More Purple Schools – An inspiring book about creativity and celebrating community (with the best color ever!).

Everyday Activities to Encourage Creativity & Design Thinking

Here are some simple ways I incorporate design thinking into everyday life with kids:
🏛 Look Up! – I point out interesting architectural details on buildings when we’re out and about. We toured the State Capitol, and I was surprised at the really great questions the kids had for our guide. Maybe they have been paying attention to me?!
🎨 Color & Create – We have an “art zone” in our playroom stocked with materials. We’ve been creating floor plans, comic books, and family newspapers lately.
🔬 Hands-On STEAM – The kids enjoy classes at the art center; the boys recently learned pottery! And math is way more fun when we write problems in chalk on the driveway. Every summer we look forward to Sloppy Science Camp at our children’s museum. Sometimes, creative learning is messy. 😉
🏗 Build & Design – LEGO® and blanket forts, need I say more?!

By incorporating creativity and exploration into everyday activities, we can inspire kids to see the world through a designer’s eyes—whether they grow up to be architects, engineers, designers, or just curious, creative thinkers.