About
Venus Vale is a protected space where bold ideas can take root and flourish, much like seeds requiring gentle nurturing before they can transform into their full potential. The design studio tends to a delicate balance between protection and visibility of emerging concepts. To see the future we tickle the imagination and say yes to the unknown.
In this vale, tradition and comfort are gracefully challenged so the unseen can manifest through careful and intentional cultivation. The old can be led to rest through ceremony to rebirth of clear, scalable and innovative organizations. The studio operates as a container for creativity that honors the process of becoming, maintaining simplicity while holding space for profound transformation and humanity.
Our Name
Venice Vale embodies the delicate interplay between mystery and revelation, drawing inspiration from both the classical goddess Venus (love, beauty, victory) and the sheltered valleys that have long served as sanctuaries for creation. As a celestial body, Venus is Earth's closest planetary neighbor and often called our sister planet due to their similar sizes.
The planet's surface is obscured by permanent clouds of sulfuric acid, which create a mesmerizing appearance when viewed from space and led to Venus being named after the goddess of beauty. The planet Venus is the third-brightest object in Earth's sky after the Sun and Moon, appearing as both a morning and evening star depending on its position relative to Earth and the Sun.
Mission
beauty is healing
Harmony works with our nature and ecosystems. We are wired to pursue things that make us feel inspired.
usability is trusted
We want the world to keep evolving, expanding and bettering. When everything works right, we all grow.
Thoughtful people make thoughtful leaders, companies and industries which aligns with how the world moves.
ethical is eternal
inclusion is belonging
Incorporating safe values into everything we make to be trauma free and accessible creates social change.
“ We're crafting a softer world where people can thrive.
Shagane Barsegian
Founder & CEO at Venice Vale
Founder
Shagane Barsegian is a leader and speaker on human-centered design shaping the industry. As the founder of Venice Vale, a brand and product design studio, in Los Angeles she helps clients create kind spaces where technology and innovation enhance people’s lives. With over a decade of experience building design disciplines from the ground up, she brings deep expertise in transforming organizations through thoughtful design to heal digital spaces.
As a leader who has built multiple products, portfolios and design departments from the ground up, Shagane understands the delicate balance between innovation and empathy. Her approach combines the flexibility of an entrepreneurial mindset and toolbox of creative disciplines . During her tenure as Vice President of Design at Zonda, she orchestrated the complete digital transformation of a legacy portfolio while fostering a collaborative, creative environment that empowered teams to excel.
Shagane has launched work for clients in proptech, real-estate, banking, media, healthcare, retail, e-commerce and tech. Her journey through prestigious organizations including R/GA and Hot Studio (acquired by Facebook) has enriched her understanding of how design can serve as a bridge between technology and human wellbeing. This perspective was further shaped by her research at MIT Media Lab's Affective Computing group, where she explored the intersection of emotion and technology through haptic interfaces.
Shagane's educational foundation reflects her multifaceted approach to design leadership, combining an MFA in Human Computer Interaction from California College of the Arts in San Francisco with studies at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and dual bachelor's degrees in Business Administration & Entrepreneurship and Apparel Design & Merchandising Management. This diverse background enables her to approach challenges with both creative intuition and strategic insight.
Shagane brings a unique perspective on building and nurturing design disciplines that create positive transformation. As a sought-after speaker and mentor in the design community, she shares insights on building human-centered digital experiences and nurturing creative teams. Her speaking engagements focus on the intersection of technology, creativity, and human connection, inspiring audiences to consider how design can be a force for healing and harmony in our digital world.
As a mentor, she actively contributes to the growth of future talent through programs at Caltech and Art Center, where she helps emerging designers find their voice in the industry. Her approach to leadership emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where creativity can flourish and where technology serves to enhance human potential rather than replace it.
Ali Wolf
Chief Economist, at Zonda
“Shagane is one-of-a-kind when it comes to designand product management. While most people are happy with status quo, Shagane will rightly challenge the "way things have always been done"to provide a better, more insightful outcome.”
Ludmilla Schappert
VP, Product, at CoStar Group
“As a head of design, her skill set goes well beyond interaction design and user experience. She is thoughtful, dedicated and a true trailblazer that is committed to delivering quality work that can influence the company’s growth and culture.”
Tera Hatfield
Director, Product Design at Penguin Random House