Michelle Lee Schmidt
About Michelle Lee Schmidt
Michelle Lee Schmidt serves as the Partner and Managing Director of Play Lab at IDEO, where she focuses on integrating play into design to enhance user engagement. She has a diverse background in user research, design, and product management, with previous roles at IDEO, ThredUp, and as a lecturer at Stanford University.
Current Role at IDEO
Michelle Lee Schmidt serves as Partner and Managing Director of the Play Lab at IDEO. She has held this position since 2022, focusing on integrating play into design projects. Her role emphasizes the importance of play in engaging users and fostering meaningful relationships through design.
Previous Experience at IDEO
Michelle has extensive experience at IDEO, having worked in various capacities from 2004 to 2022. She was the Senior Portfolio Director for Design for Play from 2018 to 2021 and Managing Director of the Play Lab from 2021 to 2022. Additionally, she served as the Design for Play Lead from 2013 to 2018 and held roles as a Researcher, Designer, and Project Leader from 2004 to 2009.
Background in Customer Experience
Michelle worked at ThredUp as Head of Customer Experience from 2012 to 2013 and as Product Lead from 2011 to 2012. Her experience in these roles contributed to her expertise in user research and product management, which she applies in her current work.
Educational Qualifications
Michelle studied at Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from 1994 to 1998 and a Master of Science in Engineering Product Design from 2002 to 2004. Her educational background supports her strong foundation in design and engineering principles.
Contributions to Design and Research
Michelle has a strong focus on user research and its application in design projects. She has co-authored articles, including 'Co-designing With Youth Is Crucial for Digital Thriving,' and contributes to IDEO's blog, sharing insights on the intersection of play and design.