THINK PEOPLE. THINK DESIGN. THINK IMPACT.
FEEL HOPE.


What we do and Why We Do It

Service to people and their ideas inspires what we do at Wholemindesign Studio. We want to empower you to have positive impact in the lives of others by supporting and invigorating your professional growth within a hopeful, rejuvenating, and collaborative environment.

At Wholemindesign we believe that knowing how to think like a wholeminded~wholehearted designer enables you to turn your ideas into action and drive positive change in people’s lives. Designers are question posers, problem finders, connection seekers, and solution generators. Designers know how to create choices and when to make choices. They are curious, flexible, resilient, empathic, and strive to build coherence between people and ideas. No matter what your work is in the world, at our studio you will be equipped with new tools and creative strategies to move your ideas forward in service to others.

What Is a Wholeminded~Wholehearted Designer?

Our ultimate aim is to unleash your potential to be a wholeminded ~ wholehearted designer.

Our Studio


Wholemindesign Studio is situated in a beautiful setting on the edge of the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor. Indoor and outdoor spaces in this natural environment provide participants with a rejuvenating backdrop for their work.

Current Offerings


As you explore our offerings you’ll notice that we have created learning opportunities for all types of people such as educators, business leaders, and community organizers. You don’t need to be in the design profession to benefit from learning how to think like a designer.

Creative Tools for Learning


The ability to make one’s thinking visible is an essential skill for a wholeminded~wholehearted designer. We have created a set of materials, as well as strategies and techniques for using them, that will help you take action on your ideas.

Your Studio Partners


Katrin Oddleifson Robertson and Diane Tamblyn are educators, each with 30+ years of experience helping others learn and grow.

People-2-People


We deeply value and appreciate the work that educators do on behalf of students. At Wholemindesign we want to honor that commitment by supporting your work with us.

Voices


Hear firsthand about how people are defining and solving problems, and generating solutions in their work.

Wonderings


What are we investigating and experimenting with? Who and what is inspiring us?

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    “You need to experience the process under the guidance of an expert to “get it”. Practice it right away with real problems you need to solve. - elementary school teacher, Ann Arbor, MI”


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    “I had feelings of serenity, comfort, safety, and escape. I loved the experience over time and the collaborative structures.”


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    “Thank you so much for the opportunity to share 3 amazing days with such resourceful, lovely, and professional people. I have learned so much from everyone - far beyond Design Thinking.”


    Teacher, an International Baccalaureate School

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    “I enjoy the evolution process”


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    “It’s a new concept for most people, but you will see how effective it can be!”


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    “I loved the atmosphere!”


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    “Thank you again for a great experience. I learned so much from about the content and the facilitation of the session. I appreciate the care and thought you put into every aspect of this workshop.”


    Educator, Oakland University

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    “The space was fantastic. I think all learning should take place with as many modes as you have provided.”


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    “I learned WHY art is valuable beyond the common things you hear like fine motor skills, mental health, creativity, etc. (although very important) and then HOW to integrate it into classes so that it benefitted the students’ work, which I am still surprised she was able to teach me that because I was very skeptical of finding time for this. I have already been able to talk about project based learning outside of the classroom ...This class has changed my mindset and taught me so many things that I know how to transfer into my practice.”


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    “I used the Design Thinking process in my PBL unit and it worked wonderfully! I am at A2 STEAM in 1st grade. My unit was based on patterns of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and using their knowledge of the patterns of the sun to design a structure for their playground that could protect them from UV light. For my first graders who struggle with working well with others, it was miraculous! It really helped my kids with their 21st century skills! Thank you for giving me the ideas!”


    Teacher, Ann Arbor

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    “If I had to narrow down this entire course to one phrase, to one piece that resonated with me and changed my entire perspective on how to view art, it would have to be the beautifully put together phrase from day one; “Art is not the frosting, it is an ingredient of the cake.” This one phrase sums up everything I want to keep in mind about art, for as long as I live.”


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    “Perfect to have so many different ‘levels’ of teachers, administrators, etc. together to share with and learn from each other!”


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    “This course has changed my entire perspective on a number of things. Everything I experienced and learned is going to be forever valuable. The instructor cannot be topped. I have never had an instructor so dedicated and detailed. She made me fall in love with art.”


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    “I had a great experience working with Katrin Robertson and Diane Tamblyn for their Chicago presentation of “Designing for Engagement: Applying Instructional Design Strategies When Creating Online Learning” for ACLEA, the Association for CLE professionals. Katrin and Diane were professional, knowledgeable about our industry, and motivating to attendees. They even demonstrated their “engagement” principles during their presentation with a great variety of audience participation techniques! ACLEA members requested that we have speak again in the future!”


    Director of Continuing Legal Education, Illinois Bar Association

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    “Free your mind and get ready to learn new things!”


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    “It’s a completely different way of thinking.”


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    “Ron is so right-on. He articulates ideas in a way that makes complex ideas seem understandable.”


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    “It was really valuable to be in a place with the variety of school/education roles.”


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    “You created a wonderful experience and I can honestly say it was the most meaning training I've attended in my professional career.”


    Teacher, Romulus

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    “Thank you for a transformative experience these past three days. Having planned multiple day learning experiences, I appreciate the all-consuming amount of planning and preparation you must have invested to make the experience so valuable to us.”


    Principal, Oakland County

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    “Do it, it was invaluable...and bring a friend.”


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    “The space was so beautiful and welcoming. It's a very conducive space for any kind of learning!”


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    “I loved the small number of teachers and the diversity of experiences.”


    Teacher, Dearborn Public Schools

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    “It really engages you and helps you think outside the box.”


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    “I am excited by our end prototype!”


    Teacher, Brighton Area

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    “It helps you focus on great ideas that solve problems for your customers.”


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    “This was excellent! Do it! Do it!”


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    “It has been a true pleasure to be part of EaD|WW2i. Your efforts, wisdom and attention to details are appreciated!”


    Teacher, Brighton Area Schools

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    “If you do it enough it starts to become more natural.”


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    “Wow! You don’t want to miss it! Wonderful surprises await you.”


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    “This is life-changing and will help children and schools change.”


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    “It was beneficial to meet with a large variety of groups and partners by choice and force. The brainpower and experiences of this group was awesome and inspiring.”


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    “The rejuvenation was so incredible. Being cared for is such a delight.”


    Educator, University of Michigan

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    “This was excellent training. Clear, concise directions. It was interactive and kept you engaged.”


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    “Enlightening, encouraging, useful, interactive, thoughtful, thought-provoking, fun, insightful, invigorating, inspiring, challenging, informative, helpful, creative, engaging, active, productive, interesting, satisfying, rewarding, educational, practical, and confidence building”


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    “It really works”


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    “When I was at the Wholemindesign studio, I was very much living in the present. I don't think I checked my phone for the time once, and yet every day the time flew by!”


    Teacher, Detroit

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    “This is an innovative, inquiry-based and reflective learning team. We challenged one another to move deeper and investigate our educational purpose and practice.”


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    “The space was so beautiful and welcoming. It's a very conducive space for any kind of learning!”


    Teacher, Ypsilanti

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    “Discovery is the basis for the whole process, it keeps the design process human centered. ”


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    “Meeting across an entire school year was really helpful to keep my long term planning grounded in the work of design thinking. I've seen my students' critical thinking skills grow immensely through this work. ”


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    “When I was at the Wholemindesign studio, I was very much living in the present. I don't think I checked my phone for the time once!”


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    “This will help you view your business in a new light, especially for the staff that has been there a while”


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    “Extremely thoughtful and well designed activities, goals, and facilitation. I had a feeling of being well cared for…”


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    “The space was so beautiful and welcoming. It's a very conducive space for any kind of learning!”


    Teacher, Ypsilanti

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    “You will leave with a full brain and with a different view of how you might work with students and the type of work you will ask them to do.”


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    “Diane and Katie are great! ”


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    “Interesting people. Compelling ideas.”


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    “It’s long-lasting education”


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    “No question - sign up IMMEDIATELY! ”


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    “Collaborating with different department members was very helpful”