CREATIVE
Sage's Story
Sage Creative Consulting was born from a deep belief that places shape people, and that thoughtful, research-driven design can transform communities for the better. With a foundation in environmental psychology and a passion for human-centered design, I leverage research and strategic planning to maximize the impact of projects, ensuring spaces are not only beautiful but also meaningful, functional, and inclusive.
Karen Joyce
I’ve always been fascinated by the connection between people and place. This curiosity led me to Cornell where I earned my M.S. in Human Environment Relations and minored in landscape architecture. Prior to that, I received a B.S. in Business from UC Berkeley with a focus on social enterprises and sustainable food systems.
My path back to grad school was inspired by eight years in the tech industry. Working at Google and in mobile game development, I gained a range of experiences at the intersection of data, design, and business strategy. I led cross-functional teams of designers, engineers, and analysts, and honed my ability to distill complex ideas, align diverse perspectives, and help teams move from insight to action. Returning to grad school allowed me to translate those skillsets from digital design to environmental design.
My work centers on creating places that make the world better in tangible ways – making communities more healthy, connected, and resilient.
In my spare time, you’ll find me snowboarding in the winter, surfing when I can escape to the coast, or hiking the trails near my home in Lyons, CO with my husband and dog where we are always looking for new landscapes to explore.
Network of Collaborators
I partner with a diverse network of highly skilled designers, researchers, and technical specialists to deliver solutions tailored to each project’s unique needs. I’m fortunate to work alongside experts like Dr. Mardelle Shepley, a renowned healthcare design researcher and Dr. Janet Loebach, an expert in behavior mapping and children's outdoor environments. This network, combined with trusted design and drafting collaborators, helps me provide a holistic, deeply informed approach that integrates research, creativity, and technical expertise at every stage of the design process.
In my forty+ years as an architect and academic, Karen stands out as one of the most extraordinarily gifted design researchers with whom I have had the pleasure to collaborate. Her analytical skills, in combination with her aesthetic and design sensibilities, make her the rare professional who can effectively contribute to a multidisciplinary team and facilitate the translation of data and environmental psychology principles into design direction. Importantly, she is also a genuine, courteous, responsive, and engaging individual. I look forward to collaborating with her in the future.
Dr. Mardelle Shepley
Emerita Professor, Cornell University and Director of the Cornell Institute for Health Futures
Karen has become an indispensable asset to our company. We continue to seek her expertise in areas of user and market research, early-stage testing, cross-functional collaboration, and creative strategy. Karen is regularly tasked with ambitious and complex initiatives. Over the years, she has navigated these requests with grace and thoughtfulness. She is a collaborator, prizing discussion and challenging her beliefs over being right. She has played pivotal roles in the formation of new teams and systems, has compiled extensive analyses that drive business strategy, and is our champion for human-centered research. Through it all, she inspires lively engagement and is a pleasure to work with.