Hi, I am Gulzar, a Product Designer & UX Researcher.
I love solving problems and bringing experiences to life that are intuitive and loved by people.
📍 Toronto, CA
Background
I was born and raised in Pakistan, where my love for art and creation began. As a child, I spent countless hours watching tutorials and crafting projects, fostering my passion for design and innovation.
This early interest led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. During my studies, I developed a project called Stickistan, introducing a set of Pakistani stickers for WhatsApp that represented our culture and expressions.
This project earned me a spot at The Nest I/O, a Google-supported incubation company in Pakistan, where I learned about monetizing businesses and building startups from scratch. This experience was invaluable, providing me with essential entrepreneurial skills and mentorship from industry experts.
Professional Journey
I joined Bazaar when it was a six-month-old startup. Initially, I worked as a visual designer, but within a few months, I transitioned into product design. The first product I worked on was the core customer app, which catered to a wide range of retailers and shopkeepers across Pakistan. This app is used by over 100k people, from large stores to small, curb-side stalls in both remote areas and major cities throughout the country.
After over a year, I shifted to another vertical within Bazaar, focusing on industrial products targeted at the chemical and raw materials market, with the main user base being manufacturers and traders. It was a wild learning curve for me, but in six months, after numerous market visits, user interviews, planning and testing, my team and I launched Bazaar’s first industrial platform, where businesses in Pakistan can now explore products on Bazaar’s online platform and eventually place an order.
My experience at Bazaar will always remain a highlight in my career because l owned the products I worked on. I immersed myself in understanding the customers and internal operations, making efforts to enhance their experience by regularly meeting and interacting with them on the ground. As one of the early employees, I contributed to Bazaar's remarkable growth from a small startup to a thriving company of over 2,000 people, now generating millions in revenue each year.
Educational Persuits
My journey led me to Canada, where I joined Humber College to dive deeper into user experience design. At Humber, I focused on building my research skills and learned and applied accessibility standards, realizing how crucial they are for making digital products inclusive. I also studied research practices and completed my Tri-Council Research Ethics Board Canada certification. Additionally, I worked on case studies on various US and Canadian brands, guided by my professors. At Humber, I immensely improved my teamwork and collaboration skills by working alongside diverse groups of people from around the world.
Hobbies & Interests
Outside of my professional life, I have an interest in investigation shows, which I find incredibly intriguing. I also have an artistic side and enjoy drawing and doing illustrations in my free time.
One of the highlights of my personal journey is running marathons. As a woman in Pakistan, I proudly completed two half marathons and several 10Ks and 5Ks, earning a collection of medals along the way. These experiences taught me perseverance and the joy of pushing my limits.
Personal Goals
I am passionate about my work and continuously seek to learn and grow. I believe in enjoying the process, whether it’s research, design, or a good mystery series. My goal is to connect with like-minded individuals and create something amazing together.
