NUZEEN AZIZ, 30 UNDER 30

I was the kid who struggled with every subject except art class.

I was not someone who never questioned the status quo.

I am a dreamer who turns imagination into something tangible.

I am not afraid to make a mess if it leads to something great.

I shall be the creative whose work lives on long even after the campaigns end.

I shall not be content with mediocrity.

I like it when the client loves the first draft.

I dislike it when inspiration strikes after the deadline.

My biggest ambition is to create something that outlives me.

My biggest worry is the day AI designs better than I do.

I am most proud of the times I made something that felt impossible at first.

I am a bit ashamed that I once Googled “how to get out of grayscale mode in Photoshop”.

Looking back, probably I should have slept more and overthought less.

Looking back, probably I should not have said ‘yes’ to every revision request.

It all fell apart when I hit Ctrl+Z and realized there was nothing left to undo.

Things made sense when I realized design is thinking made visual, not just eye candy.

Eventually things will work out, but probably not on the first draft.

Eventually things will not lose the need for that human touch.

Someone once advised me that design is empathy made visible.

I once advised someone that put it out there, even if it’s bad.

If I had a superpower it would be undoing real-life mistakes with Ctrl+Z.

My superpower in real life is seeing colors in music (synesthesia).

The word I use most is noted.

The word is dislike most is soon. Because it’s the ultimate deadline black hole.

This too shall pass reminds me that nothing is permanent, not even struggles.

My most treasured passion is creating always, in all ways.

People should be more kind. it costs nothing but changes everything.

People should be less quick to judge.

I wish to thank the ones who believed in me before I did.