Engineer. Designer. Performer.
I'm Shawki đź‘‹
Passionate about storytelling, product design, and technology.
I'm always looking for the next project that'll make me lose sleep and gain a few grey hairs.
About
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I’m an engineer, designer, and performer based in New York City.
I hold a degree in Computer Science, which I acquired in the midst of the pandemic (wherein I explored multiple careers, as evident from the GIF).
As a third culture kid bouncing back and forth between different countries, my journey is a unique blend of technology, creativity, and cultural diversity.
My passions include but are not limited to writing, filmmaking, the performing arts, and finding the best slice of pizza near me.
I'm here đź“Ť
New York, USA
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Currently a grad student
@Parsons School of Design
Tools + Skills
Work
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FAQ (Unaired Joe Rogan Interview)
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Q
"So, Shawki, you're an engineer, a designer, and a performer. Which of these keeps you up at night?"
Honestly Joe, they all do. But the one that's really got me lying awake is the performer in me trying to figure out how to design an outfit that's both functional and stage-ready, without looking like I’ve just raided the local costume store. My grad school projects are a bit less glamorous than my rock star dreams—though, given the amount of chai I consume, the two worlds sometimes blur.
"Speaking of losing sleep and caffeine, you’re in grad school studying Design and Technology. How does that work, exactly? Sounds like a mix between building robots and making cool art."
I’m learning how to integrate human-centric design with technology. A lot of it is about empathy—like, how do we make tech that feels intuitive, rather than something that makes us want to throw our phones across the room? It’s really about designing experiences, not just products. It’s tough, but I love the challenge of balancing the analytical side of engineering with the emotional side of design.
"Empathy and technology—now that’s an interesting combo. But you’re also a performer. What’s the connection there? You’re out there doing stand-up and sketch comedy in New York, but you’re also diving deep into tech and design. What’s the thread that ties them all together?"
It’s all about storytelling. Whether you’re building an app or performing on stage, you’re creating an experience for people. In comedy, I’m learning how to read a room and adapt my delivery based on the crowd. In design, it’s about anticipating a user’s needs and guiding them through an experience. In both, there’s a lot of improv—things rarely go as planned, and you’ve got to pivot quickly. I guess that’s why I enjoy both so much.
"That’s deep, man. It’s like you’re a techie who’s also a stand-up philosopher. I imagine your background—growing up in Saudi Arabia, studying in the UAE—gives you a pretty unique perspective on things. How has that shaped the way you approach your work?"
Oh, definitely. Growing up in places where I was exposed to so many different cultures really opened my eyes. I think being in the UAE, where you’ve got a mix of people from all over the world, taught me how to understand different viewpoints. In tech and design, it’s super important to not just make something that looks good but to think about who’s using it. What are their needs? What’s their background? What’s their mental framework? It’s kind of like being a stand-up comic—you want to be relatable to a diverse audience, and the best way to do that is by listening first.
"Dude, that’s solid. So you’re doing all this work—engineering, design, comedy—and you’ve got to be balancing it with school. How do you stay sane through all of that? What’s your process?"
My day-to-day life is kind of a whirlwind, but the trick is to create small moments of clarity. I always carve out time for something creative—whether it’s writing new material for stand-up or sketching something random just for fun. It’s all about managing your energy, not just your time. If I start feeling burnt out, I step back and do something completely unrelated to my work—like going to an open mic or listening to a Asha Bhosle song. It helps reset my mind.
"I love that. So, speaking of creativity, how do you approach a new project? Do you go with your gut, or do you rely more on logic and research to drive your design?"
It’s both, actually. I start with the gut feeling—what do I want this to feel like? What’s the emotional hook? But once I’ve got the vibe, I dive deep into research. I’ll look at trends, user data, and sometimes even psychological studies to understand why something works. It’s like writing a joke, right? You get a premise that feels right, but then you need to test it, refine it, and get feedback. It’s a mix of intuition and iteration.
"You know, I could imagine your design work feels a lot like an improv show—constant trial and error. But you’ve got a background in computer science, right? You’ve got that hardcore technical side. How do you blend that with the artistic side of design?"
That’s the fun part. I like to think of it as building the skeleton and the skin at the same time. My computer science background gives me the foundation to create things that are actually functional, but design gives me the freedom to make them beautiful and user-friendly. So, it’s not just about building something that works—it’s about making it feel like a natural extension of the person using it. I’m always asking: How can I make this experience feel effortless?
"I like that. Man, you're a lot more than just a techie. You’ve got a vision. I can see why recruiters would want to work with you, especially in Summer 2025 for an internship position that lasts 8 weeks long and gives you plenty of experience to learn and grow."
Thanks, Joe. But I’m just trying to stay humble.