Nur Ahmad Furlong
- [email protected]
- www.nurahmadfurlong.com, www.2beards.co
- User Experience (UX) Design Manager at ZAD Group, Saudi Arabia
- linkedin.com/in/nomadone
- Phone: +966505899542
- @nomadone
Summary
I’m a South African Ethical Designer, Design Thinker & User Experience(UX) Consultant, living in Dhahran Saudi Arabia. I’ve been working as a designer online and offline for the past 18+ years.
I’ve developed a Design Thinking Course (http://goo.gl/w2lycP) and am keen on opportunities to apply design lead innovation methodologies towards positive change in society.
What I Do
User Experience UX for web and mobile, Digital Strategy, Brand Development
UX, UI, Design Thinking, Graphic Design, Web Design, Front End Development, HTML & CSS, WordPress PHP, Illustration, Logo Design. Experience working in An Agile/Scrum Environment.
Software Includes:
Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Omnigraffle, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign. Keynote, Balsamiq, MS Office, Invision, Jira
Education
- Continuous Learning Via Online Learning Platforms Like Udemy.com & Lynda.com in Areas of UX, Innovation, Product Management
- 2008 – 2008 Certificate Business Incubation at VeloCITI Business Development Program
- 2001 – n/a 360 Degree Brand Development at Ogilvy Africa Training Program
- 1996 – 1998 National Diploma Graphic Design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- 1989 – 1995 Senior Secondary Matric at Livingstone Senior Secondary
Experience 18+ Years
User Experience (UX) Designer & Design Manager at ZAD Group (2015 – now)
ZAD Group is a Digital Media Organisation responsible for developing Digital Islamic Educational experience through websites, mobile solutions and other digital platforms. As Lead UX Designer & Design Team Manager at ZAD, my first point of call is deeply understanding the people we are developing solutions for, to better grasp their needs, the problems they face and how best to tailor solutions which meet these needs. My primary project is a series of Islamic mobile apps(muslimapps.net), a project which I am currently the UX Lead for, covering various subjects and aspects of the life and beliefs of a different types of Muslims both in Muslim countries and living as minorities.
Ethical Design & User Experience (UX) Consultant at 2beards.co (2015 – now)
2beards.co is an Ethically Digital – Innovations Lab, focusing on solutions to modern digital communications problems.
Founder, Web Strategist at startupegypt.net (2012 – 2013)
An Online space to consolidate and connect the wide variety of startup ventures, programs and resources spread out across egypt and to allow the sharing of information, ideas, solutions and anything which will facilitate the further development of the startup economy.
Founding Partner at StrictlyHalaal.com (2009 – 2012)
Strictly Halaal is an online information hub to provide quick & easy access to Halaal(Islamically Permissible) businesses and other information resources. We aim to help those interest embrace a more Halaal Lifestyle.
Freelance Lecturer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (2009 – 2009)
Taught Web Design & Development, Including HTML & CSS
Strategic Communications Consultant at the-colab.com (2008 – 2015)
The-Colab.com is a “No Harm” Communications Agency which helps you develop digital communications. Using Design, On and Offline Media, and a collaborative approach, we offer a full spectrum suite of communications services to help bring people and companies closer together. We want to help create healthy relationships and a positive society by only promoting those things which cause no harm.
Web Design/Development Lecturer at Friends of Design (2008 – 2011)
Teaching part time classes on screen design theory, HTML & CSS & WordPress Theme Development. I developed the WordPress Theme Development curriculum as well as a Screen Design Theory Curriculum for some of the courses covered. I’ve also serviced various clients on behalf of Friends of Design including the Auditor General’s Office of Botswana and Multichoice DSTV in Johannesburg.
Independent Strategic Design & Web Consultant at nomad-one.com 2007 – 2008
We offer high end design services for web and print based media. Whether you need a logo, business card, A Full Brand Identity Created, website – new designs or re-design, wordpress blog themes. Check out our website www.nomad-one.com for more info.
Associate Creative Director at Intermark-corp (2006 – 2007)
Associate Creative Director responsible for Conceptual & Strategic Development. Art Direction. Brand Development. Copywriting, Script Writing, Graphic Design & Art Direction.
Freelance Designer at nomad-one (2006 – 2006)
Graphic & Web Design, Brand Development, Consultating & Strategy, Training, Web Development, WordPress
Senior new Media Designer at Liquid Thought (2005 – 2006)
Design & development of websites, advertisements & brochures, site maintenance, branding, CSS & html coding
2005 – 2005
Graphic Designer at INTERACTIVE LIMITED SAUDI ARABIA
Design of logos, advertisements, flash animations & font design
2005 – 2005
Design & Branding Consultant at ICG LONDON (Islamic Finance Events Company)
Re-branding & development of Corporate Identity, advertising and websites.
2004 – 2005
New Media Designer at Ogilvy Interactive (London)
This was a contract position while on travels to London where I was responsible for maintenance on brands like BT, IBM, Tassimo, Cisco & Sunsilk (websites, banners, emails)
2002 – 2004
New Media Designer at TBWA Hunt Lascaris Cape Town
Web Interface Design & Brand Development, Conceptual & Campaign Development for Online Media
2001 – 2002
New Media Designer at Forward Slash
Web Interface Design
2000 – 2001
New Media Designer at Ogilvy Interactive Cape Town
Web Design, Brand Development, 360 Brand Integration, Campaign Development, Illustration
1999 – 2000
Graphic Designer at iafrica.com
Web Interface Design, Brand Development, Illustration
1999
- Red Cat Design
- AdMakers
Cover Letter
My obsession is collaborative design thinking, coming together with like minds to develop positive & sustainable solutions for business & society. In every role I attempt to understand the core need and develop solutions match what is possible with the available time, cost and resources.
Ethical Profile
I have endeavored to follow an ethical approach to my work actively pursuing ideas and solutions which benefit individuals and society and avoiding those which could cause controversy, harm, social or environmental problems. My ethical profile –
Varied Experience
As a designer, with technical experience as well as strategic experience I believe I am well placed to navigate the various areas of focus within the digital department. With my digital agency experience and crossing over into above the line and direct marketing I believe this further enables me to interact with the broader strategic objectives and to align with campaigns and strategic objectives beyond the digital.
Interpersonal and Problem Solving Skills
I have good interpersonal skills, enhanced by experience as a facilitator and trainer over the years with a natural ability to clarify, explain and guide processes of discovery. I have also been through many change management scenarios and have first-hand knowledge of how problems and issues may need to be addressed in multiple ways to facilitate progress within team and inter-departmental scenarios. Having to deal with many different knowledge management and team collaboration methods I know each team has its own set of challenges on these levels and have even consulted with some of my clients on how to overcome obstacles and which platforms may suite their specific situations.
Training/Teaching
I’ve written a number of courses and taught many myself and on behalf of various teams and organizations and believe this will add massive value in order to assist in developing understanding of digital & design lead innovation practice amongst the less savvy.
Fast Learner
As a Meta skill learning is something I have had to master due to the varied contexts I have found myself in. I don’t shy away from diving into quickly picking up new skills. I am also a member of the Interaction Design Foundation and keep myself informed of trends, methodologies and other relevant developments within the digital and innovation spaces, actively maintaining a collection of research on topics which impact the direction of the industry.
I follow developments with companies like IDEO, FROG Design, Artefact and other creative/techno hybrid companies and would love to bring this kind of thinking to new contexts.
Speaker
I’m a good public speaker and have spoken at various industry events. I find myself in the team spokesman position often. I find it easy to articulate and explain my ideas and also to encourage others to do so.
Writer
Having kept a blog for many years and also being involved in many writing projects both formally and for personal endeavors I have developed the ability to quickly draft proposals and other lengthy or concise writing assignments with my own personal workflow for doing so.
Management
I currently manage a ux and design team on multiple complex projects and act as a product manager for these projects as well. My activities include developing product vision, ux research, engaging with stakeholders, developing product ux, guiding design teams through the design phases and supervising build process to ensure design and ux requirements are respected. I’ve been responsible for developing the design team’s workflows and helping designers up their level of ux involvement.