Michael Janzen
As a Digital Product Leader, artist, and author, I build systems that help product teams work smarter. I specialize in untangling complexity to make the hard parts of product development—like gathering insights, planning effectively, and delivering on-time—feel intuitive and frictionless.
My background in product management, UX, and digital strategy was forged at Wells Fargo, where I led enterprise tools at scale. There, I translated complex business needs into elegant solutions: I built an idea platform that empowered thousands of employees to contribute, created feedback systems that amplified user voices, and led launches that saw high adoption because the groundwork was solid. My passion lies in turning good instincts into repeatable processes and uniting cross-functional teams around a clear vision.
I believe in thoughtful tech tools that are useful, usable, and built with people in mind. I’m especially drawn to work that balances structure and creativity, where curiosity, ethics, and clear thinking matter.
Beyond the Digital World
Born in the artistic enclave of Mendocino County and raised in the innovation hub of the San Francisco Bay Area, my journey bridges the worlds of art and technology. My creative foundation was laid at Verde Valley School in Sedona, where the desert landscape sparked my passion for art and design.
After studying design at UC Davis, the Southwest’s call led me to the University of New Mexico, where I earned my B.F.A. in Ceramics. Today, I live in Fair Oaks, California, with my wife and two daughters.
My path has continuously woven together design, technology, and architecture. Parallel to my 26-year career at Wells Fargo, I embarked on a fifteen-year exploration of the tiny house movement. Sparked by the 2007 housing crisis, this passion evolved into a deep dive into intentional living and alternative architecture. It was a journey that led me to master 3D modeling, author multiple books on the subject, and ultimately release the “Tiny House Design System” in 2023.
This drive to find clarity and order in complexity is the common thread in all my work, from designing enterprise software to engineering tiny houses and creating geometric sculptures.
In 2024, I returned to my creative roots, combining my love for geometry and architecture through carbon fiber PLA sculptures. This new body of work represents the convergence of my technical precision and artistic vision, building upon decades of exploring the intersection of design, space, and form.
I’ve also begun to write a Sci-Fi series called Symbiosis Rising, the story of an AI who becomes sentient.
Looking Forward
I’m currently open to new product leadership opportunities where I can apply my systematic approach to solving complex problems and creating exceptional user experiences. If you’re looking for someone who brings technical expertise, product strategy, leadership skills, and creative vision to product development, let’s connect.
Social Media:
Fiction:
Tiny House Design:
- Tiny House Design System: A Design Toolbox for Tiny Houses
- House Floor Plans – Over 350 Tiny House Designs
- 101 Tiny House Designs: The Ultimate Collection of Tiny House Design
Contact:
- email hidden; JavaScript is required