Sarah Liriano Alva shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sarah, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently saw footage of people enjoying an experience my team and I deployed at Comic Con. It made me laugh, feel pride, and joy all at the same time to see people laughing and enjoying themselves while immersed in a world that we allowed them to access. It felt like a dream come true to give people joy and see them immersed in a story we brought to life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an art director, and visual storyteller who blends strategy and play to create magical moments. Currently, I work in the experiential space, designing immersive / interactive experiences.
With a background spanning immersive tech and UX systems, I lead multidisciplinary teams to craft visual narratives that are as impactful as they are imaginative. Shaped by a transdisciplinary path, my work explores how we feel, learn, and connect across digital and physical spaces and turns challenges into playful journeys that are transformative and unforgettable.
My mission is to design interactive, immersive, and emotionally resonant experiences that celebrate identity, inspire curiosity, and make technology feel deeply human. Through storytelling, play, and cross-disciplinary craft, I build worlds that invite people to connect, reflect, and imagine.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Broken trust and lack of empathy. Breaking someone’s trust in you or your word, as well as an inability to place yourself in their shoes and understand their perspective will surely sever any bond you may have built, both personally and professionally. To restore a bond I think people need to start from a place of curiosity and patience to understand the other person’s perspective and explain their own. From there, consistency will build trust and heal the bond that was broken.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Fear of failing. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I’ve come to believe that fear of failing is the most crippling fear one could have. It extends past simple failure into more complex things like fear of ridicule and shame. This fear often has me second-guessing myself or even stopping me from starting something that can be risky but have a great payoff. I try to remind myself of the times I’ve succeeded and conquered this fear to get through any obstacle.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
For me, the difference between a fad and a foundational shift comes down to depth, persistence, and ecosystem impact. A fad changes aesthetics, it spikes in visibility but doesn’t change behavior. A foundational shift changes expectations, infrastructure, or workflows in a way that lasts.
I look for three signals: first, whether the behavior sticks once the novelty wears off; second, whether multiple industries or platforms are investing real resources around it; and third, whether it expands what creators or audiences can actually do. If it only looks new, it’s a fad. If it forces tools, teams, or users to evolve, it’s a shift. As a designer I stay fluent in fads so the work feels current, but I build strategy around the shifts, because that’s where long-term value and innovation actually happen.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
I think I will regret it if I never work or volunteer for a non-profit organization. Specifically one that works with animals. I enjoy my current work and am happy that I can often bring happiness to others but I also have a increasing need to make a difference, especially in the lives of vulnerable creatures that don’t have many people advocating for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahlirianoportfolio.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahliriano/
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