Humayun Rashid

Hi there, Humayun! Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

I’m Hum, a designer and founder. I currently serve as Design Director and founder at Nessa Lab, a product design studio in NYC. I focus on helping venture-backed SaaS startups bring their product vision to life through UX, interface design, and prototyping.

How did your journey to becoming a designer begin?

I studied economics and graphic design as an undergrad. I started my first agency in my twenties with a college friend after I couldn’t find a design job after school. I freelanced for the first few years, and the rest was history.

What do you enjoy the most about working as a designer?

I’m a problem and solutions-oriented designer. I’m always curious about the bigger picture and constantly asking why. It helps me reframe the problem as a philosophical quandary and get to the root of the issue. I believe good design is all about craft and purpose.

What do you hate the most about it?

Good design takes time and consistent iterations, but sometimes, I can get impatient with the design process and not allow things to fall into place naturally. I also have strong opinions about what constitutes good design, and when I see bad design in everyday life, I can turn into Larry David.

Could you share a tip with other designers?

Give yourself time to grow and trust the journey. Focus on establishing a formal process, honing your craft and vision. If you believe in crafting exceptional work, the rest will follow. You need to be patient. Also, always be learning new skills.