I am a recent MFA graduate from the University of Arizona. I grew up in Iran, where I earned my BFA and began teaching as a lead instructor and an assistant in various art classes. Working with students of different ages helped me develop strong communication skills and a deep understanding of people’s needs, as well as the internal and external challenges that can stand in the way of learning or achieving goals. It also strengthened my problem-solving abilities because I often had to come up with teaching methods to meet students' needs and circumstances.

Currently, I teach undergraduate courses at the University of Arizona while continuing to explore my artistic practice. When I began my graduate studies, I chose an interdisciplinary program that allowed me to explore both art and design. Over time, I became increasingly drawn to UI/UX design, and taking design courses helped me better understand user behavior, interaction, and the impact of thoughtful, intentional design.

Exploring design thinking alongside artistic thinking transformed how I approach challenges and develop ideas. This shift deepened my passion for UX/UI and opened up new ways to integrate creativity and empathy into the design process.

In the final year of my program, I joined the University of Arizona’s UX team, where I gained hands-on experience in a real-world design environment. Working with cross-functional teams across departments gave me insight into the complexities of professional UX work—from navigating constraints to collaborating on research and design.