Naoman Afzal
Graphic Designer
Growing up, I had a lot of dreams and aspirations. One of my biggest goals was to become a cricketer and represent my country, Pakistan, at the national level. It was something I worked hard for and I was thrilled to be selected for the Multan region team to play matches against other regions in Karachi. My parents were very supportive of me, and my father was particularly confident in my abilities.
However, fate had other plans for me, and I suffered an injury that prevented me from continuing my cricket career. It was a tough setback to face, but I refused to let it keep me down. Instead, I looked for other opportunities to explore my passions and find a new path forward. I had to make a choice between continuing with my studies and pursuing cricket, or focusing solely on my studies. After careful consideration, I chose the latter and graduated in Computer Science in 2018.
Despite my degree in Computer Science, I found that coding just wasn’t my thing. I wanted to explore other avenues and discovered my love for graphic design. I taught myself how to use Adobe tools and became a freelancer, taking on a wide variety of projects ranging from illustrations to animations and book interior design in different companies. Along the way, I also developed an interest in marketing, and I dived headfirst into exploring SEO and other related areas.
Eventually, I stumbled upon the fascinating world of UI/UX designing, and I was hooked. I spent countless hours learning everything I could about the field and sharpening my skills. I knew that this was the direction I wanted to take my career in, and I was determined to make it happen.
That’s when I landed a job at Emerald-Labs, where I started as a graphic designer before transitioning to UI/UX design. It was an incredible learning experience, and I am grateful for the opportunities I had to grow and develop my skills there. I continued to push myself, seeking out new challenges and honing my craft.
I should also mention that throughout my personal and professional journey, my best friend Hamza has been a constant source of motivation and support. He has always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself, and his unwavering encouragement has been a driving force behind my career.
Looking back on my journey so far, I’ve learned so many valuable lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of following one’s passions. I’ve faced setbacks and challenges, but I’ve never let them hold me back. Instead, I’ve embraced them as opportunities for growth and learning, and I’ve come out the other side stronger and more determined than ever.