A little about me…
Hi, I’m Nazima, a British-Pakistani designer with a global perspective. Born in a small town in England, I’ve lived across the Middle East, Europe and the U.S., experiences that have shaped my curiosity, love for learning, and passion for exploring new cultures.
With over 12 years of experience in design, I specialize in design thinking, product design, service design, and brand development. My career spans agency work and in-house roles across diverse industries, including technology, education, healthcare, consumer goods, and entertainment.
Beyond design, I’m an educator who finds joy in sharing knowledge. I’ve lectured at renowned institutions like Yale University, the New School of Architecture and Design in the U.S., and Zayed University in Dubai.
I’m deeply committed to fostering design in communities. I played a pivotal role in San Diego and Tijuana earning the title of “World Design Capital,” served as a Designer in Residence at the UCSD Design Lab, and contributed to initiatives like ScaleSD (Smart City Accelerator). I’ve also been a board member of the Design Forward Alliance and an advisor for San Diego Design Week 2021.
When I’m not designing or teaching, I immerse myself in art, travel, and creative pursuits that fuel my curiosity and drive.
Let’s connect and collaborate—more on my linkedin
Some clients
Education
Yale University - Masters of fine arts (2010)
American University of Sharjah - Bachelors of science in multimedia design (2007)
Services
Product design - UX / UI
Service design
Design thinking & Innovation strategy
Branding and brand strategy
Graphic design, Art direction, and creative marketing
Design operations and team development
Teaching experience
New school of Architecture and Design — Lecturer (2021- 2022 San Diego, CA)
Zayed University — Adjunct assoc. professor of graphic design (2010 - 2017 Dubai, UAE)
Yale University — Graduate Teaching (2008 - 2010 New Haven, CT)
Speaking events and exhibits
Hexcon Speaker 2021
Design for America Speaker 2020
San Diego design week Speaker 2020
UC San Diego Speaker 2020
UCSD basement, Talk + workshop on design thinking 2020
Zayed university Speaker 2014
Sounds of the City, held a workshop as part of the International Symposium of Electronic Arts at Sikka art fair, Dubai 2014
Art of sound, International Symposium of Electronic Arts at Sikka art fair, Dubai 2014
Tools of Expression, a workshop as part of the International Symposium of Electronic Arts at Sikka art fair, Dubai 2013
XVA Gallery, exhibition for Expo2020. Dubai 2013
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
Meem Gallery, Group show, Dubai, UAE 2007
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
Urban innovation (Scale SD), winner 2020
Lynx award, 2013
Adobe design achievement awards, semifinal 2009
AIGA Best of New England award, winner 2009