Michael Janzen
Building systems that reduce friction across product development—from insight gathering to on-schedule shipping.
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 workable solutions: I built an idea platform that gave thousands of employees a channel to submit ideas, developed feedback systems that routed user input into product decisions, and led launches that reached high adoption rates, supported by structured rollout planning and early stakeholder alignment. The focus throughout has been turning product instincts into repeatable, documented 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 Mendocino County and raised in 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.
Work across design, technology, and architecture has run in parallel throughout this period. Fifteen years studying the tiny house movement and alternative architecture has shaped how I approach design constraints and space efficiency. 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 work applies the same geometric thinking used in software and architecture to physical sculpture., building upon decades of exploring the intersection of design, space, and form.
I’ve also begun a sci-fi series called *Symbiosis Rising* — a creative side project following an AI that becomes sentient — alongside the nonfiction work described in the looking-forward section below.
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. Bringing together product strategy, technical background, and design experience to leadership roles—open to new opportunities.
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:
- michael@michaeljanzen.com