Hi, I’m Naz.
TL;DR
I help make the internet.
Owner and operator of Weightshift.
And soon, Preflight.
Third culture kid.
Cyclist, occasional bike model, and rock climber.
Photographer and traveler.
Design patent holder.
Sometimes musician.
Professionally
I’ve been a designer for over 22 years.
I founded Weightshift in 2000, and for over 17 years, I serviced clients such as About.me (now Broadly), Abstract, Adobe, Dropbox, Google Ventures, Intercom, Obvious, One Medical, True Ventures, Twitter, Xero, and many others.
Taking an interlude from my consultancy, I joined the design team at VSCO for two years. I helped launch VSCO Membership, a subscription service that gained 1MM+ paying members in its first year and was the second fastest–growing digital subscription service behind Apple Music. Additionally, I contributed to VSCO Connect, a platform for brands to engage with creators.
In 2018, I returned to independent life and have since engaged in several assignments where I provide high-level design direction and advisement to early-stage companies. I am also building Preflight, a new consulting endeavor.
You can take a look at the last decade of projects here.
Personally
While I am proud of and have enjoyed designing digital products, I also prioritize cycling (and partaking in the occasional bike modeling gig for Ornot [#diversityincycling]) and rock climbing. I firmly believe in a holistic life — one that optimizes mind, body, and soul. I strive for a life well-lived. I encourage people to take care of themselves, both mentally and physically, and I’m an advocate for doing things that truly matter and give energy.
I’m a third culture kid, having spent the first decade of my life in London, England, the second decade in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the last 22 years in the United States — the first 11 in Chicago and the last 11 in San Francisco. This is important to my identity, how I see the world, and how I approach all aspects of my life — it has broadened my worldview.
I live in the Soma neighborhood with my wife and our dog, a senior rescue Chihuahua named Barbara from Muttville.
When I’m not pushing design ideas, you can find me on a dirt road, a rocky trail, in an ocean, or on a mountain — the surroundings where I feel best.
Talks
I give talks primarily about work–life balance and diversity & inclusion in design. I am also formulating a new talk on designer maturity and evolution. Get in touch if these topics sound like a good fit for your event.
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New Adventures
Diverse Design: How We Build for People
January 2019 -
CreativeWorks
Talk: Hard Work & Hard Living
Workshop: The Full-Stack Designer
October 2018 -
Brooklyn Beta 5
Hard Work & Hard Living
October 2014 -
Bridge: Designer Fund
The Space Between the Notes
October 2013 -
Asana & Designer Fund
Skeuomorphism vs. Simplicity: A Town Hall
October 2012 -
SXSW Interactive
Design from the Gut: Dangerous or Differentiator
March 2012 -
SXSW Interactive
Built: Online Communities, Offline Relationships
March 2011 -
AIGA Chicago
Tools of the Trade: Creative Content for the Web
April 2008 -
SXSW Interactive
Design is in the Details
March 2008 -
Making Media Connections
Emerging Online News Outlets
July 2006 - UnderConsideration’s Speak Up
SeriouSeries 3
April 2004
Podcasts & Publications
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76: Craft is a Journey
Presentable
A podcast by Jeff Veen
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12: Our Tools Give Us Superpowers
Presentable
A podcast by Jeff Veen
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How They Got There
Interviews with digital designers about their careers
A book by Khoi Vinh
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Offscreen No. 5
Naz Hamid interview
A magazine by Kai Brach
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The Great Discontent
Jen Schuetz & Naz Hamid
An interview series by The Great Discontent
Colophon
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