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Key people at Imagemakers - Creative Agency.
Imagemakers - Creative Agency is an award-winning digital experience firm based in Wamego, Kansas, United States, specializing in user experience design, custom technology platforms, and comprehensive brand and website development. The agency focuses on solving customer problems by employing observational research, prototyping, and testing, delivering custom programming, digital tools, and user-centered communication solutions. Operating with an employee count between 51 and 100, the firm reported an annual revenue of $3 million in 2024, indicating its scale in the advertising and technical consulting sectors. Its leadership includes Directors Leigh Atkinson and Prashant Arora, Creative Director Toni Rodrigues, Chief Technology Officer Michael Smith, and Director of Software Engineering Michael Golden. Imagemakers was established in 2001; the names of its founders are not publicly known.
Key people at Imagemakers - Creative Agency.
Imagemakers is an award-winning creative agency specializing in branding, custom website development, user experience (UX) design, and digital experiences, founded in 2001 and based in Wamego, Kansas.[1][2][7] With nearly 20-25 years in business, a team of about 42 employees (including strategists, designers, developers, and UX experts), and annual revenue around $3 million, the agency solves complex challenges for clients by placing audiences at the core of projects through research, prototyping, and agile development.[1][2] It serves dreamers and doers across industries, creating custom technology platforms, brands, and print collateral that simplify experiences and drive connections, with a focus on observational research, testing, and custom programming rather than just flashy tech.[1][2][7]
The agency emphasizes human-centered design, partnering with client teams to define goals, prototype solutions, and refine for irresistible user value, drawing talent from Kansas City, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond.[1][2]
Imagemakers was founded in 2001 by Dan Holmgren, who serves as President and Creative Director with over 25 years in user experience design, simplification, and strategic digital communication.[1][2] Holmgren has guided thousands of projects and contributes to boards like the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and K-State Industry Advisory Board.[1] Starting in Wamego, Kansas (514 Lincoln Ave), the agency grew over two decades into an award-winning firm with a strong creative-technical team, refining its audience-first approach to tackle complex challenges.[1][2][7]
Early evolution centered on blending UX research, prototyping, and custom development, evolving from local roots in the Midwest to a collaborative hub for national talent, including figures like Ben York (UX & Art Director), Joe Ratterman and Carla Santorineos (Web Designers), Erica Rice (Project Manager), Becky Zerr (Project Coordinator), and Alyssa Christian (Finance & HR).[1] Pivotal moments include building a refined methodology over 20+ years, earning awards, and establishing a reputation for solving real problems through user insights.[2][7]
(Note: Other "Imagemakers" entities exist, like Munich's B2B design agency since 2003 or international tech firms, but this profile matches the Kansas-based creative agency per primary sources.[4][3][5])
Imagemakers rides the enduring trend of human-centered digital transformation, where UX and custom experiences are critical amid complex tech stacks and user expectations for seamless, intuitive interactions.[1][2] Timing favors them as businesses prioritize simplification post-pandemic—shifting from flashy sites to research-driven platforms that boost retention and conversion in competitive digital spaces.[1] Market forces like rising demand for agile custom dev (e.g., HTML/jQuery stacks) and branding in fragmented online ecosystems amplify their niche, especially for Midwest-to-national clients seeking cost-effective, high-impact alternatives to big agencies.[2]
They influence the ecosystem by championing UX diligence in advertising services and custom software consulting (SIC/NAICS codes 73/54/81), mentoring via Holmgren's advisory roles, and proving small teams (42 employees) can deliver scalable solutions, bridging creative heartland talent with global standards.[1][2]
Imagemakers is poised for steady growth by doubling down on UX simplification amid AI-driven personalization trends and no-code booms, potentially expanding custom tech for e-commerce/healthcare verticals where user research yields outsized ROI.[1][2] Rising demand for agile, audience-first agencies could see them hit $5M+ revenue, leveraging Holmgren's networks for partnerships or acquisitions. Their influence may evolve toward thought leadership in Midwest tech hubs, shaping how regional firms compete globally—reinforcing that true differentiation lies in understanding users, not just building tools, much like their 20-year journey from Kansas dreamers to world-movers.[1][2][7]
