Ami Verhalen
Title
Vice President of Design + Principal
Present
I lead the industrial design team and use line, form, color, texture and feature sets to create a user experience and emotional tie between the user, the product and the brand. We tell stories in 2D and 3D to communicate ideas, visualize the future and gain buy-in and clarity from diverse project players. We not only create the look, feel and experience of a product, but serve as the conduit and facilitator between the fuzzy front end needs that inspire passion and the technical realities that bring products to life and create enduring and profitable solutions. I co-teach Design Thinking for Business at the University of Wisconsin’s MBA program.
Past
I’m a Wisconsin native whose interest in fine arts and math education led her to a BFA in Industrial Design from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). My role as Industrial Designer and Project Manager led me to my current role as director and principal of Design Concepts.
Passion
I am a visual thinker who simply loves the breadth of things that can delight people – an experience, the way something looks or feels, the way a team works together or a nuance in a design or reaction. My innate curiosity to understand what drives people and what makes them different has driven my desire to create more delightful futures through product, business and partnership successes.
Play
I’m a Cirque du Soliel fanatic! I enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating good food and playing games.
What is your first memory of design thinking?
It may have been when I was making mud soup with my childhood friends, trying to decide which sticks, rubble and dirt would make the best soupy texture that would also thrill each of my friends for different reasons.
