About Me
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
— Peter Drucker (attributed)
My name is Shakeel, I’m a strategic brand designer specializing in identity design, typography, and systems thinking. I approach projects systematically by understanding the brief, audience, and constraints to create brands that work seamlessly across every touchpoint.
During my graduate studies at ArtCenter College of Design I designed four typefaces, which gave me a deep appreciation for the power of typography across media types. Designing fonts requires rigorous refinement over minute details, I bring this same attention to craft through form, layout, typesetting, and print production.
At Splunk, I was known as “the glue” for my ability to coordinate across teams and translate complex ideas for different audiences from technical to non-technical, from interns to vice presidents. Many of these projects were demonstrated on stage at technology conferences and used by several Fortune 500 companies.
Available for freelance opportunities on-site in Los Angeles or remote.
Please reach out by , LinkedIn, or Instagram.
Capabilities
Branding
Brand strategy and positioning
Visual identity and logo design
Typeface design and font pairing
Complete brand systems
Brand guidelines and documentation
Campaign design and extensions
Naming and messaging
Workshops and training
Media
Books and publications
Print and stationery
Web, digital, social
Motion and animation
Environmental and signage
Merchandise and apparel
Presentation design
Production
Print production management
Design systems and templates
Responsive web implementation
Color management
File optimization and asset handling
Code
Full-stack web development
Creative coding
Interactive design
SEO and accessibility audits
Technical documentation
In real life...
I’m inspired by
- Underdogs
- Walking
- Conversations
- Music
- Warmth
Reminders to myself
- Focus intensely, rest completely.
- Take more (design) risks.
- Explore more ideas than required.
- Design is a spiritual practice.
- When in doubt, talk it out.
Community Building
I have dedicated the past five years to involving myself in design communities, sharing my experiences with others, and building towards design leadership experience. Over this time I’m grateful to have met several designers who have inspired me throughout my career.
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
ArtCenter College of Design
Pasadena, California
2022–2025
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Seattle University
Seattle, Washington
2012–2015
Experience
Senior Designer
TALISMAN
Remote
08.2025–Present
Collaborated with the Creative Director and a Senior Designer on brand strategy and visual identity for a performing arts organization. Researched historical references and competitors, designed presentation systems in Figma Slides. Led critiques and provided feedback to junior designers. Supported business development through capabilities decks.
Freelance Brand Designer
shakeel.design
Remote
05.2025–Present
Designed brand identities and motion design systems for cultural organizations, creative agencies, and emerging companies. Collaborated directly with clients to develop design solutions from strategy and concept through implementation across multiple touchpoints including print, digital, and environmental.
Freelance Graphic Designer (Annually)
The Ismaili Muslim Community
Remote
10.2021–10.2025
Designed three evolutions of the brand identity for Salgirah, an annual international festival across 21 countries in 11 languages. Branded signage is displayed in multiple cities, notably at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Teaching Assistant
ArtCenter College of Design
Pasadena, California
09.2024–04.2025
Assisted instructors Fiona Blankenship, Elise Co, and Joseph Choi in a course sponsored by Hermès with cross-disciplinary group critiques of design concepts and presentations. Assisted Professor Gloria Kondrup in a letterpress printing course by helping students hand-set wood and metal type.
Freelance Graphic Designer
TALISMAN
Remote
07.2024–08.2024
Collaborated with a team of three designers on brand identity development for higher education and performing arts clients. Designed presentation decks, brand guidelines, and print production-ready files. Analyzed typographic choices to align with overall art direction.
Founder
ntrsct designs
Remote
02.2018–12.2022
Operated an independent design studio providing brand strategy, identity, apparel design, and social media services for 12 clients across multiple industries. Evolved the business from B2C apparel brand to B2B consultancy, leading client relationships, project management, and art direction.
Software Engineer
Splunk, Inc.
Seattle, Washington
06.2015–04.2021
Led a team of three engineers to develop a data simulation engine for sales staff to demonstrate products for prospective customers. Collaborated across roles, teams, and departments to automate manual processes. Designed slides for and presented technical sessions at two major industry conferences. Maintained dozens of open-source software projects and incorporating customer feedback. Designed highly performant technical solutions for large-scale data processing used by several Fortune 500 companies.
Skills
Strong working knowledge of:
Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Figma, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Keynote, Glyphs, Blender
Familiar with:
DaVinci Resolve, Affinity, TouchDesigner, MadMapper, Webflow, Squarespace, Cargo, WordPress, Basecamp, Trello, Jira, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Dropbox, Slack, Notion, Google Analytics, Rhino + Grasshopper, SketchUp
Presentation and facilitation:
Strategic thinking, collaboration, copywriting, product management, project management, community building, agile facilitation, scrum
Programming:
JavaScript, p5.js, Processing, Node.js, HTML, CSS, Python, Java, C, C++, Git
AI Tools:
Claude, Gemini, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Perplexity, ChatGPT, OpenCode
Recognition
Wall of Portfolios
Featured Portfolio
2025
Bestfolios
Editor’s Pick: Portfolio
2025
Lithographix ArtCenter Alumni Gallery
Mark Rothko Documentary Poster
2025
The Planetary Society
Two Planetary Society Rebrand posters selected for display in their headquarters.
2025
Voyage LA Magazine Interview
Daily Inspiration: Meet Shakeel Mohamed
2024
Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography (HMCT) Gallery
Font Design Poster: Mindful Roman
2024
Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography (HMCT) Newsletter
Featured Typeface: Referential Mono
2023
Speaking
The George Washington University (GWU)
Guest Lecture: Design Fundamentals II
2025
AIGA Design Conference (national)
Ask Us Anything 3.0: Dr. Cheryl D. Miller and Invited West Coast BIPOC Best Performing Designers
2025
Work in Progress
Presented my Ontology typeface project to 30 designers.
2025
AIGA Los Angeles: Graphic Content (conference)
Deconstructing “Best”: Redefining Success for Designers
2024
Type Thursday Los Angeles
Presented my TYPO Mexico City branding project to 30 designers.
2023
AIGA Portfolio Festival
Virtual portfolio presentation to a live audience.
2022