Hi, I’m Naz.

TL;DR • Professionally • Personally • Talks • Podcasts & Publications • Colophon

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.

Podcasts & Publications

Colophon

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