My passion for design and technology has always been fueled by curiosity—a drive to explore, create, and refine ideas that push boundaries.
It all started back in 2004 when I picked up a spray paint can and brought my notebook sketches to life on the walls of a basketball court in Amirabad, Tehran. Graffiti became my first deep dive into visual expression, leading me to underground exhibitions and sticker bombing the streets of central Tehran.
In 2006, I got my first DSLR and started experimenting with creative lighting and macro photography, sharing my work on platforms like DeviantArt and Flickr. That same curiosity led me to web design—I wanted a place to showcase my work, so I taught myself HTML, CSS, and Macromedia Flash. This eventually evolved into creating animated music videos for my favorite underground bands.
By 2008, I was building websites with a friend, turning our passion into a business while completing my BS in Software Engineering. From a file hosting platform to a widely read iPhone blog, I focused on the design side of things, shaping the user experience before UX was a buzzword.
In 2012, I entered the professional world as a UI/UX designer at a major energy company in Iran, working with enterprise software and SharePoint. While still employed, I co-founded a software and design agency in 2013, developing mobile apps at a time when Iran's startup scene was gaining momentum. Over the next two years, I designed over six apps with millions of users across iOS and Android.
Despite our success, the company was forced to shut down in 2015 after a failed funding effort. From there, I joined Digikala, Iran's largest e-commerce platform, followed by Dunro, a business directory that we transformed into a location-based social platform. That journey led to a $15 million funding round in 2018.
With years of experience across different industries, including Kian Capital and Alibaba.ir, where I led and built design teams, I started feeling the limits of the domestic tech ecosystem. My wife and I were ready for a new adventure.
In 2019, I joined Monese, a fast-growing challenger bank, and moved to Tallinn. Over 2.5 years, I helped improve the onboarding experience and introduced new design concepts.
Today, I'm a Senior Designer at Booking.com, based in Amsterdam. I started in the Pricing business unit, but my role has since evolved. Most recently, I've been working on the Account area, shaping the UX of one of the platform's most visited sections. I love tackling complex design challenges, working with cross-functional teams, and finding elegant solutions that impact millions of users.
Beyond design, I tinker with electronics, home automation, and DIY projects. Whether it's coding an ESP32 to control home devices or building a custom NAS server, I enjoy blending software, hardware, and hands-on craftsmanship.
Amsterdam has been home for the past few years, and I continue to embrace its culture, people, and design inspiration. The journey isn't over—I'm still learning, still building, and still exploring what's next.