Hello World, I am Izaz.
Founder @ Beige + Blue | HCI Specialist @ The Kow Company LTD.
Hello World 👋🏼 I am a certified Microsoft UX Designer and a specialist in Google’s Generative AI. Additionally, I specialize in project management from Microsoft, Google and Agile from Atlassian.
I'm a versatile professional with extensive experience in code, research, and design, with a passion for creative pursuits like photography, videography, and social media management. My skill set encompasses various disciplines, including web development, visual design, UX research, interaction design, data organization, prototyping, and front-end development. I’ve consistently been involved in a wide range of design, development, and research projects, achieving top 3 placements in design sprints and hackathons over the past five years.
Welcome to my portfolio, brew some coffee, and take a look at my design, development, and research work, and let’s create something amazing together!
My Credentials
UI/UX Designer & Interactive Media Designer @ Vancouver Coastal Health
As a passionate UI/UX Designer and Interactive Media Designer, I've had the privilege of working with Vancouver Coastal Health, the largest health authority in British Columbia. My journey here has been both challenging and rewarding, with a strong focus on understanding user behavior and crafting cutting-edge systems and technologies for virtual health programs.
My work spans a variety of exciting projects, from video production and editing to designing educational websites and creating SCORM packages for learning management systems. Each project has been an opportunity to blend creativity with technology, and I thrive on the chance to make a meaningful impact.
Collaboration is at the heart of what I do. I've been fortunate to work alongside talented designers and developers to bring an educational platform to life for patients living with epilepsy. By leveraging design thinking methodologies and tools like Figma, I've been able to quickly bring visual ideas to life, ensuring our platform is both effective and engaging.
UI/UX Researcher & Designer | Adobe & Google
Following my Spring semester in 2020, I decided to take a deliberate pause to engage in some introspection. It was a period of profound reflection, a dedicated moment to discern my true aspirations and ambitions. Through days of meticulous writing, journaling, and soul-searching, I crystallized my direction. This led me to an enriching path: enrolling in several UI/UX Design courses on Udemy, an endeavor that immediately captivated me. Subsequently, I further honed my expertise by undertaking Google's comprehensive UX course on Coursera. This invaluable educational journey played an instrumental role in bridging my knowledge gap and fortifying my proficiency in the realm of UI/UX design.
IT Club Founder / Programming Instructor At Maple Leaf Int. School
I'm proud to be the founder and president of the first programming club at my school, the "MLIS IT Club." This club was born from a deep-seated vision I had for the next generation—to empower them with the skills to code, create software, and solve real-world problems. It's been incredibly rewarding to mentor over 300 young students, from classes VI to IX, through this journey.
In this role, I've had the joy of teaching the basics of computer programming, web development, and Python, helping to lay a strong foundation for their future in the tech world. It's inspiring to see these young minds grasping new concepts and becoming passionate about technology, and I feel fortunate to be a part of their journey.
Vancouver-Based Photographer
In 2017, I casually began capturing moments with my iPhone, unaware of the latent passion for photography that was about to blossom within me. As time unfolded, my hobby evolved into a genuine love for the art form. This newfound passion led to the honor of having my photographs showcased on prestigious platforms, including UBC's official Instagram page and Urban Vancouver.
Presently, I serve as a photographer for the Peak at SFU, contributing my visual perspective to their narrative. Additionally, I was selected to lend my photography skills to the UBC Calendar project, a role that, unfortunately, was thwarted by the unforeseen circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, my journey in photography continues to be a source of personal and creative fulfillment.
Awards & Certification
Top 3 Finalist | Hackathon (Sfu Surge)
Top 15 | Design Sprint (Eunoia UX)
Project Management | Google (Coursera)
Certified UX Designer | Google (Coursera)
Creative Design | Google (Coursera)
Top 25 UI Designer | Adobe Creative Jam
Hour Of Code | Code.Org
Full Stack Web Development | Udemy
Words From My Colleagues
Quotes I Live By
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.”
—Steve Jobs
Reflecting on my past, I find that my fondest memories often involve immersing myself in the world of creativity, whether it was avidly watching Art Attack or crafting imaginative creations from the ground up. It was this intrinsic love for artistic expression that prompted me to venture into design courses at my University one fateful year. What began as an experiment in trying something new for the sheer joy of learning turned into a moment of profound realization. It was then that I knew I had unearthed my life's passion.
My unwavering commitment to the design field is driven by a fervent desire for continuous growth and learning. I aspire to not only refine my skills but to push the boundaries of what I can achieve in this realm. My ultimate aim is that anyone who crosses paths with me and thinks of design will inevitably think of me, a testament to the dedication and passion I pour into this field.
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”
—B. B. King
In addition to my primary pursuits, I find immense joy in the continuous journey of learning and personal development. It's hard to put into words just how profoundly exploring topics beyond my academic scope has enriched my understanding of life. This process has been nothing short of transformative, fundamentally altering my perspective on the world.
I firmly believe that authentic knowledge prompts one to question and critically evaluate everything in their surroundings. The realization of how much there is to learn and know is both humbling and exhilarating. It's a constant reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is an ever-evolving adventure, one that I eagerly embrace.
“Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.”
—Stephen Covey
The experiences I've navigated over the past few years have bestowed upon me invaluable insights and life-altering lessons. They have instilled in me a profound sense of purpose and a resolute determination to make every moment count in the journey of life. It's become a personal creed of mine to ensure that the time I spend living is truly meaningful and impactful.
Some Of My Favourite Books
Currently Reading: The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant
Tao Te Ching
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Atomic Habits
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Man's Search For Meaning
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Thinking Fast & Slow
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The Alchemist
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The Fabric of Reality
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The Beginning of Infinity
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Tao Te Ching | Atomic Habits | Man's Search For Meaning | Thinking Fast & Slow | The Alchemist | The Fabric of Reality | The Beginning of Infinity |
Here’s My ❤️ For Photography
👉🏻 Follow me on Instagram 👈🏻
Here are some of the works I did both as a photographer and a videographer for my University newspaper press - The Peak.
Hey, Let’s Connect!
Shoot me an email and we can always schedule a meeting or meet in person if you are in Vancouver, and go for a photo walk, grab some coffee and talk about life.