About

I'm Umair Ali Khatri, a UX design leader and teacher based in Karachi.

The Outside

I like calm and minimal choices. Neutral colors. Simple silhouettes. No visible branding unless it reflects me.
I look organized and composed.

The Inside

My Mac desktop has many files scattered around. My head works the same way with ideas, tasks, and curiosity moving in parallel threads.
I multitask often and explore a lot. I have accepted that this is part of how I think.

Inside my head (and desktop), at any given moment:

  • Random screenshots
  • 12 half-finished notes
  • New ideas dropping in faster than I can organize them
  • AI agents picking up the slack

Work

I lead the User Experience Design function and help teams move from designing screens to making clear and thoughtful decisions that respect users.

I also teach Interaction Design and Tech Product Management at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture.

I am on a sabbatical from formal teaching right now because I have two little boys at home, which feels like a valid time to slow down. I still stay involved through mentoring and guest sessions.

Community

I run the Friends of Figma Karachi chapter. It became one of the most active chapters in 2024 with a large and growing community.

I host events, introduce designers to new tools and ideas, and create spaces where people can learn together.
I enjoy the energy this brings, and then I take quiet days to recharge.

Play

Padel tennis hooked me recently. I play with my left hand, even though I write with my right.
When I was a child, a teacher made me switch my writing hand. I could write with both hands on a chalkboard, but I did not keep that ability with me.

When I am not on the court or in a design session, I am experimenting.

Perfumery is something I learned from my father. He has more than two hundred perfumes in his collection and creates his own blends.
I create my own impressions and notes for fun and quiet time. If we meet, I might create one for you. If you are lucky, you might get a gift.

I also blend songs using AI tools in a playful way. It is something I do for myself.

Agents and Systems

I am exploring the world of AI agents with a focus on execution rather than ideas.

I use tools like Figma Make, Codex, Replit, WISPR Flow, Microsoft Copilot, and Nano Banana to build workflows that take a task, break it down, and move it forward while I stay in flow.
These systems help me turn my internal chaos into something useful.

Life

Everything I do, whether it is design, teaching, community, scent, music, or agents, comes from curiosity and a willingness to explore the mess until something interesting comes out of it.

If any of this feels familiar or interesting, feel free to reach out.