Supercharge Designer Spotlight:
Basit A. Khan
In this part of Supercharge Designer Spotlight, we will shine a spotlight on Basit A. Khan, a lead product designer at Haraj and co-founder of Inspirux.
Basit has worked on over 500 projects with companies like Apple’s App Store, Google DMSSO, Bapco Petroleum, H&M, Huawei, and LV.
He graduated as a software engineer and completed a Human-Centered Design Crash Course from HarvardX University. His passion for sketching, drawing, art, and design in general all led him to the design world. Basit also has strong skills in web development, which has perfectly complemented his design career.
He is also a design leader at Invision’s Design Leadership and a mentor at ADPlist. His design philosophy prioritizes clients’ business goals and creates user-centric solutions. Aside from design, Basit enjoys playing cricket, painting, drawing, and spending time with his family.
Read on as we delve into Basit’s journey, his sources of inspiration, and his invaluable contributions to the design world in greater detail.
What made you interested in design in general? What drew you to UX/UI design particularly?
Basically, my interest in design started at a very young age. I have always loved drawing and sketching, often filling the backs of my school notebooks with basic sketches.
My fascination with colors and the various designs I encountered daily captured my attention and fueled my desire to become a designer.
Although I graduated in software engineering and possess strong software development skills, my passion for design persisted. This unique combination of skills led me to specialize in UX/UI design, where I can blend my technical expertise with my love for visual aesthetics to create intuitive and engaging user experiences.
What was the most significant or memorable project of your career so far? Why did you pick that one?
The most significant and memorable project of my career so far was working on Silverscreen, a project similar to Monday.com.
Over my 10-year design career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on more than 500 projects, but this one truly stands out. The journey began when a passionate project owner from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, contacted me. At that time, I was not only working full-time but also co-founding an agency. Initially, I was hesitant and even rejected the project due to its complexity and the immense challenge it posed.
However, after several persistent meetings, I decided to take it on, driven by the potential value it could add to my portfolio and career. Silverscreen was a customized management tool with complex mechanisms, unlike anything I had tackled before. As the sole designer on the team, I faced numerous sleepless nights navigating through its complexities.
What convinced me was my father’s wisdom: “Nobody hires an architect to build a 100M skyscraper if they haven’t built such a project before.” This project was my skyscraper.
Taking on Silverscreen not only pushed my boundaries but also significantly enriched my experience. It remains a milestone in my career, reminding me of the importance of embracing challenges. Beyond this, I’ve had a chance to work with renowned companies like Google DMSSO, Bapco Petroleum, LV, H&M, Apple’s App Store, Huawei, and other Fortune companies—a testament to the diverse and rewarding journey I’ve had as a designer.
Basit, with his team, at industry events, where he loves to attend, engage, and share his expertise as a speaker
How would you describe your approach to design overall? What principles guide your work the most?
My approach to design is dynamic and adaptive, shaped by nearly a decade of experience. I don’t adhere to a strict set of design principles because I believe every project is unique, with its own requirements and flavors. Instead, I tailor my approach to fit each project’s specific needs and goals.
When I start working on a new design, my primary focus is always on my client’s business goals and providing practical solutions. I aim to create designs that are not only functional but also have a “wow” factor, are consistent, and maintain a user-centric approach. As designers, we are problem solvers, using our design skills to make the world a better place.
To me, great design is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating meaningful experiences. Dieter Rams once said, “Good design is as little design as possible.” This principle guides me to remove unnecessary elements and focus on what truly matters.
I also draw inspiration from Steve Jobs, who believed that “design is not just what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works.” These quotes resonate with my belief in creating intuitive, impactful designs.
Moreover, my approach is fluid, guided by a commitment to excellence, a passion for solving problems, and a drive to create inspiring and engaging designs.
As a designer, I see my role as a powerful force for positive change, using my skills to leave a lasting impact.
One of Basit’s standout projects
What skills do you see as indispensable for a modern UX/UI designer?
Being a designer with ten years of experience and co-founder of Inspirux, I’ve learned that certain skills are indispensable for a modern UX/UI designer.
Let’s talk about empathy first. Understanding users’ needs and behaviors ensures that every design decision aligns with real human experiences.
Then it comes to wireframing and prototyping, tools that allow rapid iteration and visualization of ideas. A strong sense of aesthetics—color theory, typography, and layout is essential for creating visually appealing interfaces. Coupled with this is interaction design, crafting smooth, responsive interactions that delight users.
Seamless communication and collaboration skills ensure the vision is shared across the team, from developers to stakeholders. Remember, problem-solving is key.
Keep your skills relevant in this daily design landscape. Attention to detail ensures that even the smallest elements enhance the user experience. Basic technical skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript help bridge the gap between design and development, making your designs more feasible.
Finally, exploring feedback and iteration allows continuous improvement, transforming good designs into great ones.
As Steve Jobs said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
These skill sets come with learning from others, research, learning design essentials and principles, and practice, practice, and more practice, which enables the creation of designs that are not only beautiful but also functional and user-centric.
How do you maintain your work-life balance? What activities do you enjoy outside of design/work?
Balancing work and life as a full-time designer and agency co-founder is no easy task.
Amidst a busy schedule of design projects and client meetings, I find time to recharge by playing cricket on weekends.
Sunday evenings are for family outings, and a couple of nights each week, I unwind with friends at our favorite café.
These moments refresh me and remind me of what truly matters in life—connection, laughter, and the joy of pursuing passions beyond work.
Basit taking a break to recharge and soak in nature’s beauty—an essential aspect of his work-life balance that fuels his creativity and passion for design
Basit reads Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon, reflecting his dedication to continuous learning and sharing insights with the design community
What are the biggest changes you expect to see in the design industry over the years? What trends excite you the most?
Looking ahead in the design industry, I see a future brimming with transformative possibilities.
Technology like AI promises to streamline tasks, giving designers more room to weave creativity into every pixel and interaction. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are set to redefine how users engage with digital experiences, blending fantasy with reality in ways we’ve only dreamed of.
As we navigate this digital frontier, I’m particularly drawn to the sustainability and ethical design trend, where every pixel counts towards a better world.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
This resonates deeply with my belief in creating designs that are not just visually stunning but purposeful and impactful. These trends inspire me to push boundaries, shaping designs that enrich lives and elevate experiences.
Another impactful design by Basit
What advice would you give to aspiring designers?
Especially for newcomers in the design world, my suggestion is to dive in with curiosity and eagerness to learn.
Start by mastering the basics—understand what users really need, practice your design skills consistently, and keep exploring new tools and techniques.
Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from peers and mentors; it’s a great way to improve.
Remember, design is about problem-solving and making things better for users, so focus on creating designs that are not just visually appealing but also useful and intuitive.
Stay resilient in the face of challenges, stay open to new ideas, and let your passion drive you forward.
As Steve Krug famously advised in “Don’t Make Me Think,” “Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left.”
With determination and a willingness to learn, you’ll grow and succeed in the exciting world of design.
As we reflect on Basit’s journey, from filling the backs of school notebooks with sketches to co-founding an agency and working with Fortune companies, we realize how far he has come. Each project and each breakthrough has contributed to his growth as a designer. The lessons he has learned, the challenges he has embraced, and the milestones he has reached have all shaped his approach to design—dynamic, adaptive, and always user-centric.
Today, he sees the future of design filled with exciting possibilities, from AI and VR to sustainable and ethical design practices. These trends inspire him to continue pushing boundaries and creating designs that look great and make a meaningful impact. Basit’s story reminds us that success in design is achievable through dedication and a love for what you do.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about Basit and that you look forward to future Designer Spotlight articles we have planned for you. Subscribe to our newsletter to never miss an update!
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our Supercharge Designer Spotlight series!
