A little about me…
I’m Nazima Ahmad — a design leader with over 14+ years of global experience across enterprise, agency, and academic settings. I specialize in building strategies, systems, and cultures that elevate design from a function to a force for innovation. My work lives at the intersection of research, product, and people — and is always driven by curiosity, clarity, and care.
I’m originally British-Pakistani who has lived and worked across the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. These experiences have shaped my curiosity, love of learning, and a cross-cultural perspective that informs how I design and lead.
Lately, I’ve been exploring the evolving role of AI in design — not just in shaping product experiences, but in transforming how we research, create, and work together.
When I’m not designing or teaching, I immerse myself in art, travel, and creative experimentations that fuel my curiosity and drive.
Let’s connect and collaborate—more on my linkedin
What I do best
Leading cross-functional teams to solve complex problems
Building and scaling research practices in fast-moving environments
Turning data into clarity through insights, design, and storytelling
Teaching and mentoring the next generation of design thinkers
Some clients
Teaching & Thought Leadership
Education has always been a part of my design practice.
I've taught design research, visual communication, and innovation strategy at institutions including Yale University, Zayed University, UC San Diego, and the New School of Architecture & Design. I’ve also led public workshops on design thinking, spoken at TEDx, and most recently contributed to advancing the discipline as a board member of the Design Forward Alliance and an advisor to San Diego Design Week.
Teaching experience:
New School of Architecture and Design — Lecturer (2021–2022, San Diego, CA)
Zayed University — Adjunct Associate Professor of Graphic Design (2010–2017, Dubai, UAE)
Yale University — Graduate Teaching (2008–2010, New Haven, CT)
Community & Advocacy
My design practice is deeply rooted in community — in listening, co-creating, and building bridges across disciplines, cultures, and geographies. I believe the most meaningful design work happens when we step outside of studio walls and engage with real-world contexts: cities, classrooms, public forums, and grassroots initiatives. From mentoring emerging talent to shaping civic strategies, I’ve dedicated much of my career to helping communities harness design for cultural expression, public good, and long-term change. Here are a few highlights:
World Design Capital 2024 – San Diego & Tijuana
As a board member of the Design Forward Alliance, I helped lead the regional strategy and build a cross-border design hub. Our collaborative efforts across San Diego, Tijuana, and Baja California resulted in the region being named the World Design Capital for 2024.
International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA)
As part of my work at Zayed University in Dubai, I led design efforts for ISEA, a major international art and technology symposium. I directed a team of visual designers, filmmakers, and digital media specialists to deliver the full identity system, creative campaigns, catalogs, publications, and event collateral.
Scale SD – Smart City Accelerator
As part of the founding "braintrust," I supported the initiative by applying design thinking, community outreach, and product strategy. Scale SD brings together public institutions, academia, private companies, and city leadership to design solutions for urban innovation.
UCSD Design Lab – Designer in Residence
At UC San Diego’s Design Lab, I collaborated with researchers and faculty to apply human-centered design methods to civic and educational initiatives, while also leading workshops, critiques, and systems-focused lectures.
Meerahkee – British Council Cultural Initiative
As co-founder of this cultural program in Dubai, I worked to empower young Emirati designers to explore themes of heritage, identity, and place through workshops and exhibitions.
San Diego Design Week
I’ve served as an advisor to San Diego Design Week, curating and supporting programming that amplifies cross-border collaboration and inclusive design narratives.
Select Speaking Engagements & Exhibit
San Diego design week Speaker 2025
Hexcon Speaker 2021
Design for America Speaker 2020
San Diego design week Speaker 2020
UC San Diego Speaker 2020
Zayed university Speaker 2014
Art of sound, International Symposium of Electronic Arts at Sikka art fair, Dubai 2014
Desert Pop, collaborative exhibition at Al Fanoon gallery, Abu Dhabi 2013
MemTalk Speaker 2013
TedX Speaker 2013
Off the Wall, group show at Yale, Green Hall, New Haven, USA 2010
Present Continuous, group show at Yale Art Gallery, New Haven, USA 2010
AIGA Best of New England Show, Boston, USA 2009
Expose exhibit, International Design Forum, Madinat Jumeirah, UAE 2007
Publications
ISEA2014 signage published in Wayfinding System in Public Environment by Andrew Hodson 2015
Art of Sound published in ISEA2014 Catalog 2014
Tools of Expression published in Emerge iii, Zayed University 2013
Off the Wall featured in Walker’s Graphic Design: Now in Production catalog 2012
Site Project published in design school confidential: extraordinary class projects from the international design schools by Steven Heller 2009
Awards
UX design award (Hp wxp team), winner 2025
Urban innovation (Scale SD), winner 2020
Lynx award, 2013
Adobe design achievement awards, semifinal 2009
AIGA Best of New England award, winner 2009