Visual designer and illustrator · Toronto

Hi, I’mZaynab

I put my heart into everything I design. For me, making things is a way of life, from shaping clay to styling an outfit to building a brand. It all comes down to the details: how something looks, feels and works.

Zaynab in a green Pakistan knit polo and jeans on a Toronto rooftop, with the CN Tower behind her at sunset
Zaynab laughing in the same outfit on the rooftop
I’m Toronto-born with Pakistani roots, and I feel so lucky to call both a part of me.

How I work

  1. Made for real peopleI start with who the work is for, and design for them, not the screen.
  2. One idea, every touchpointI build a concept strong enough to carry from a sticker to a website.
  3. Concept and craftAn illustrator’s hand runs through my art direction.

Experience

2023 to nowWeb and Graphic Design LeadThe Dais, Toronto Metropolitan UniversityBrand, campaigns, publications and web
  • 2019 to 2023Design LeadThe Leadership Lab, Toronto Metropolitan University
  • 2019Graphic Design InternUnion Marketing
  • 2018 to 2019Graphics CoordinatorCESAR
  • EducationBTech, Graphic Communications ManagementToronto Metropolitan University · minors in Marketing and Sociology

Worked with

Elections Ontario / Government of Canada / Government of Ontario / City of Toronto / TELUS / Rogers / Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst / QueerTech / Toronto Metropolitan University / McGill University / Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy / Future Skills Centre

Outside of work

Art, fashion, travel, architecture, ceramics, and finding new creative ideas.

Glazed ceramic bowls, plates and a curled-handle mug
Zaynab throwing clay on a pottery wheel

Ceramics

Making things with my hands, away from the screen.

Zaynab in a fur-collared leather coat on a Toronto street at nightMirror selfie in an orange script-print top and gold jewellery

Fashion

Experimenting with style, and bringing in my Pakistani roots wherever I can.

Zaynab at a cafe in front of a wall of vintage records
Iced coffees and pastries on a sunlit table

Cafe hopping around Toronto

Working on ideas wherever the coffee is good.

Racks of illustrated Paris postcards outside a shop
Zaynab browsing vintage Sevilla posters and postcards in a print shop

Prints and graphics around the world

Postcard racks, posters and print shops, wherever I travel.