Sara Hayat

I grew up around design and seeing the intricacies and elements that make a design great. I have always been curious and interested in the concept of Aesthetic Force - its power to move, to dazzle and its ability to take our focus off from ourselves and instead, making us aware of our present moment. Iris Murdoch calls this Unselfing. This shift in perspective and what it does for us, is powerful as individuals and community as a whole. I can tell you the exact moment i realized I wanted to design; I was watching Chef Grant Achatz talk about on of his favorite dishes - a helium filled balloon dessert. He was talking about how he would see the guests at his restaurant come - and no matter what age they were, as soon as they'd inhale that helium and enjoy their dessert, their voice would change, the whole table would burst out laughing! Whether it was a grandmother or a child, you could see pure joy on their faces. They were present in that moment, connecting with their family and friends, and enjoying this outrageous dessert. For him, cooking was no longer about creating tasty, beautiful dishes, but about bringing people joy and helping them connect. That is what my designs are all about - fostering human connection and creativity and remind us of what we can be.

My company is based on the two foundational elements of design; Form and function. With form, I picked these moments from my childhood. These intentional moments of connection, beauty and its impact on our behavior that influences my design. We are surrounded by furniture all the time and yet, we dont really pay attention to it. Its just there. I wanted to design furniture whose interaction leaves you feeling warm and relaxed. I wanted to create things of beauty that would inspire us to be all we can be. To remind us of our potential to elevate and rise above whatever may be going on. There is a coffee table that I designed, The Lattice table- the idea behind it was that the table should give the effect of honey pouring down from the top all the way down to the bottom. It is extravagant and is meant to draw attention. The legs are dome shaped with the top half made from wrought iron while the bottom half is made from warm colored mahogany wood. Five of these domes support a smooth square of calcutta marble. So we had to make sure the support is sufficient - that meant changing the honeycomb shape in the wrought iron mesh to triangles. It was a geometric nightmare. Since we couldn't accomplish that honey dripping down effect with the dome, we tinkered with a few more ideas which lead to us to incorporating Kintsugi - the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, into the cold slab of marble by carving grooves for brass inlays in it. The juxtaposition of the brass with the marble, gave warmth and a break in texture. I wanted to create visually stimulating design that forces us to change perspective - to draw attention outward away from ourselves and to the present. When it came to function, I also wanted my designs to foster connection and creativity. Every small part of my pieces have been intentionally designed to accomplish that. The angle of the back of the chair, the depth of each seat - everything is designed with connection and comfort in mind. We even had the cushioning especially made for each of our pieces. My Mom, who tests and oversees the manufacturing of my pieces, called really excited about the cushioning we were trying to pick out for the Bevel Sofa, and to give context, i mustve made her try a dozen combination of cushioning! So she calls all excited and she says, the cushioning is extremely soft and comfortable, and just when you feel you're about to just sink down, its firm so you feel like you're being held! That was it! That feeling of being totally relaxed, feeling held, feeling warm in your posture, allowing us to connect with people we are with. Its combining form and function to not only serve as visual affirmations, nudging us to rise above but also fostering a sense of belonging, forging a connections with people we are with and discovering their magic.

For me, design is a function of empathy. It is knowing intimate details about what it means to be human. It is knowing about human behavior and how we interact and move in the world. A design resonates and its function realized when it comes from a place of empathy, of connection.

I love designing furniture. Like i said, it is the most interaction we have with an inanimate object. So furniture design that facilitates us in our daily lives and if for a moment, takes us out of ourselves by aesthetic force. It is its large presence in our lives that drew me towards furniture design.

The Bevel Sofa is definitely one of my favorite pieces. Visually it is unique and at the same time has this welcoming quality to it. We were working on another piece - The Shahi Sofa, and the Bevel design just manifested. We went through several different iterations of cushioning before settling on the perfect mix of high density foam and gel foam to make it feel as warm and personable as it looks.

The Fleur set was the first thing I designed. It is a design that will always be close to me. We got some great feedback on that which was a real motivator to keep working hard and come up with designs no one had seen before. This is one of the many designs that we have copyrights for.

I love working with wood and brass. I am partial to wood because of my family and their history. In my opinion, well crafted wooden furniture is timeless and never goes out of style.

This might sound strange, but I feel most creative after listening to a good podcast. There is something about people sharing their vulnerabilities that gets my creative juices flowing. I think its going back to design being a function of empathy. All my designs are rooted in connecting with people and how furniture can facilitate that.

When I would model my designs, the big question I would ask myself is, ‘does it pass the Aesthetic Force test?’ Dr. Sarah Lewis describes it as the power of art, or music, or a piece of writing that moves you, "to leave us changed - stunned, dazzled, knocked out. It can quicken the pulse and make us gasp in astonishment. Its importance is its animating trait - not what it is but what it does to those who behold it in all its forms." Visually, I wanted my designs to grab attention - to be able to anchor you in the present even if for a moment. Things that are whimsical and playful have a way of doing just that. If we take the T-4 modular, I wanted people to have fun and be playful in how they use it. For me, how we interact with furniture is so important. I thought about my kids when making this piece. It is made from soft cushioning covered in lush velvet so it can be used when pulled apart but also serve as a sleek, modern sofa when put together. I imagined my kids making forts with it one day and pretending it's the Millenium Falcon the next!

Deep joy. It is one of those rare things that makes me lose track of time and excites me to wake up in the morning start working on my designs.

I feel blessed and content. To be able to first , find something that I love doing and secondly, have the means to do it. My designs make me feel motivated to keep working hard and give them the space and platform to share it with the world.

A design that people feel a connection with. Whether its furniture or a tea kettle in your kitchen, you are drawn to designs that helps you connect. It is the deep understanding of human behavior and behavioral psychology as it relates to how we feel about ourselves that translates in a successful design.

At the end of the day everything comes down to how you feel when you interact with a product. In furniture, bringing together art and function was a challenge. Keeping the aesthetic pieces as it relates to function was challenging and difficult. So in furniture design, off the bat, I consider how aesthetically pleasing it is. What seals the deal for me is how functional it is.

In a fast paced, consumer centric world, a designer has the responsibility to make sure their pieces are created in a sustainable fashion. Even if we look at it from an economic perspective, it makes sense to produce and use raw material that is sustainable, recycled and widely available.

With everything going "Meta," we are able to model our designs before it goes into manufacturing. It is an exciting time as one doesnt have to consider the laws of physics till much later in the design process. I am looking forward to see what we come up with!

I started my company in December 2021 so I havent had the fortune of exhibiting my designs. I am planning an exhibition in my home country of Pakistan very soon.

My inspiration comes from the things I interact with every day. But mostly they come from automobiles, watches and sneakers. I love how different materials are used in automobile production and the how each part of it so beautifully designed. From the head lights to the stitching on the leather seats, everything is so well thought out. When it comes to watches it is the time, the function is to tell time yet we've come up with thousands of iterations on how that can be done in the most timeless and aesthetic way. With sneakers, from the use of materials to the color combination, it is a huge source of inspiration for me.

My design style is definitely modern with some elements of art deco. It is a style that I was naturally drawn to. The way I design, I use mental models and with design I especially use first principles mental model. It is going to the root of the problem and finding a solution for it. So if I'm designing a chair, I'll say, "a chair is something you use to sit on." If its something to sit on, how do i create something unique through design that people will use to sit on. I then use things that inspire me to fill the rest of the key elements that go into making something that one would sit on .

This might sound strange, but I feel most creative after listening to a good podcast. There is something about people sharing their vulnerabilities that gets my creative juices flowing. I think its going back to design being a function of empathy. All my designs are rooted in connecting with people and how furniture can facilitate that. My culture and upbringing has a huge bearing on my design. I am currently living in the USA but I grew up in Peshawar, Pakistan. The fleur chair and settee design was inspired by my home town. Peshawar is sometimes called the City of Flowers. It has gone through taliban occupation and many political turmoil, yet it still stands and the people are ever smiling and optimistic. It is these traits that inspired the Fleur set and also inspired me to use more bold colors in all my designs.

We offer a trade program for interior designer and architects. We also work with showrooms so prospective clients can see my designs. On the manufacturing side, most of the companies we work with, we've had a relationship with them for decades. From procuring the best quality wood to making custom leather for our clients, we have trusted and known them for years.

Understanding the principles that guides their craft is very important. Someone who feels joy in their work will always go above and beyond expectations. For companies as well, it is important to understand the designer's principles, to then communicate their own needs/requirements and then give the designer the space to create magic.

We have a bunch of catalogs from the late 1800s and early 1900s that I would pour over. The designs are timeless and they helped me take note of the different joineries and details that go into furniture making. I also took my inspiration by looking at designs of Oscar Niemeyer, Edra, Joaquim Tenreiro. Their take on design was so unique and the materials they used told a story of their era, the things they were inspired by, and their culture. I wanted my designs to serve as a means of self expression as well. I love learning about how things work, and am particularly curious about human behavior and mental models. I am fascinated by how cars, watches, architecture and sneakers are designed. So just like ambient research in writing, I saved the designs I loved and made notes on why I loved them and how they made me feel. The first question I asked myself was, how do I incorporate all this in my designs? I wanted to ignore the designs I had seen but keep the feelings they evoked. To do this, I started with first principles thinking; What is a chair? It's basically something you sit on to rest or relax. The second question was, how does human behavior fit in furniture design? It’s well documented that our surroundings impact our behavior and mindset and we are surrounded by furniture all the time. I remember my mom would always style our house a certain way, and she'd say, "Your home should be a reminder of the state of mind or life you aspire to have. No matter what happens when you walk out that door, you should feel peace and happiness when you are home." So early on I was cognizant of the power of intentional design, its ability to uplift and reimagine what is possible. From designing the angle of the backrest to the width of the seat, it is intentionally done to make you feel relaxed and at peace. Finally, I would start sketching each piece by taking inspiration from what I had liked about a piece of architecture or part of a car. Most of my color schemes as well have been inspired by how Rolls Royce uses different materials and colors for their interiors and one of the sectionals that I'm making right now was inspired by the sharp and sleek edges of Lamborghini's tail lights. My Romanesque Writing table was inspired by Steve Aoki's kitchen Island. It has all these different surfaces and looks so futuristic. I thought that would make a great book shelf or writing table. My architect, whom I drove crazy trying to explain my concept, finally said, "You can either have a book shelf or a writing table but you can’t have both!" Choices were made and we came up with a writing table whose chair seamlessly combines with the table.

1) Living room sectional 2) Storage containers 3) Tea Kettle 4) Lighting 5) Pictures

My day starts at 4:30 am. I have vendors around the globe so it helps to wake up a little early to talk to people during their work day. It is also good to be awake when you have no distractions. I am thankful I get to do what I love. It is also a good time to read or write a little before taking calls and starting your day. I've realized, taking some time first thing in the morning for myself allows me to deal with challenges better. Before this, I would wake up, check my phone and emails first and would immediately be annoyed at something that wasnt done correctly instead of realizing that this is just how it is. After that, I workout, and then drop my kids off to school. When I come back, I take time to brainstorm content and come up with ideas on how to give my brand and my pieces the attention they need. I usually try to get as much done as possible before I pick up my kids from school. Taking time to workout, listen to podcasts, reading and writing help me clarify my thoughts and help me discern what i want my designs to say.

When it comes to designing, bring in your unique vision. Dont think about what others might think. You need to love what youre doing and your designs first. When it comes to building a brand, do a personal inventory. Do what you are great at and get someone else to fill in where you are lacking. Thanks to technology, you can find someone across the globe that would help you do what you want in a set budget. Lastly, network. Being an introvert, this is something I have struggled with but I've learnt over the past weeks in fact, that the energy you bring when talking about your products, thats the energy people resonate with. IF you dont show people how much love and faith you have for your products, it is hard for other people to feel the same way. Reach out to people, connect. Despite how terrified i am of new social settings, the thought of not giving my all to make sure my designs are a success is unbearable.

If you have a family to support it is difficult. Especially if you are working on creating your own brand and identity. I was a day trader before I switched to designing. One of the biggest reasons was having a cushion for myself and my family so we could support building a new brand.

Combine the power of aesthetic force with function. It is in our DNA to appreciate beauty and mastery. Beauty has this effect on our nervous system and then combining that with function so when people interact with your product that they feel understood.

You're only a detail away from making something ordinary, extraordinary. Knowing how to discern where and how the details will be added or changed is very important.

For inspiration I use podcasts, books on interior, fashion, automobiles, sneakers, watches. I use reMarkable notepad for all my sketches. It keeps everything in one place and I can carry with me for when inspiration strikes. I also use Sketchup, 3DS Max to model and render my products. My inspiration also comes from daily life - I'll see a cool design and think if some of its elements can use in a table for example, or a chair. I also use Evernote to note down ideas for designs.

I have a dedicated time in the evening for sketching and I use Evernote quite religiously to make notes and add photos. Its like my digital mood board.

The initial sketch doesnt take that much time. Maybe an evening since I have my ideas and references in my Evernote. But making 3D models and then making iterations to that takes many hours depending on the design. Sometimes the sketch just doesn't translate well to real life, so making changes to those is quite time consuming. For example the Megalo sectional took months to get the design right whereas the Fleur and Bevel took a few hours.

Being a day trader. It taught me how to make decisions and be in touch with my feelings. It also taught me how to be malleable and change with external outputs I'm receiving. All the skills I learned in trading I apply in design. It gave me the courage and confidence to become a designer.

I love sketching and modeling furniture. Focusing on one item at a time and making the basic idea behind each design as beautiful and functional as possible is very fulfilling.

I want to continue establishing my brand and give value to my clients. I am still in the early stages of my company so i want to keep building my roster of clients.

I develop my designs myself. I work with an Architect - Shaheer Burji to make 3D models of these designs.

We have many designs in the pipeline and are working hard with our manufacturers to bring them to life. The one I'm most excited about and one that took the longest to conceptualize and make is the T4 Modular System. It is composed of different geometric shaped cushions that come together to make different shaped sofas. The pieces can be used individually and then can be attached together to make unique looking sofas. I am very excited about that one.

My email is sara@sara-hayat.com My Webite is www.sara-hayat.com And you can also DM me on instagram at @sarahayatdesign

Each piece was made with utmost attention to both form and function. The pieces are exclusive, and made-to-order with beauty and comfort in mind. I want my designs to bring joy, foster connection and facilitate meaningful interactions. I want my pieces to dazzle, anchor us in the moment and remind us of what we can be.

My family has been in the furniture manufacturing business since the 1870s. We have manufactured pieces for HRH King George IV for his coronation in India as well as manufactured John F Kennedy's famous rocking chair. I grew up around design and seeing the intricacies and elements that make a design great. I started my company - Sara Hayat Design, in December 2021. I have always been curious and interested in the concept of Aesthetic Force - its power to move, to dazzle and its ability to take our focus off from ourselves and instead, making us aware of our present moment. Iris Murdoch calls this Unselfing. This shift in perspective and what it does for us, is powerful as individuals and community as a whole.

I remember the exact moment when I decided I needed to get out of finance and really throw myself into design. I was watching The Final Table and Chef Grant Achatz was talking about one of his favorite dishes - a helium filled balloon dessert. He was talking about the joy he saw on people’s faces when they would take a bite of it and their voice would change. No matter what age they were, as soon as they would inhale that helium and start talking the whole table would burst out laughing! Whether it was a grandmother or a child, you could see pure joy on their faces. They were present at that moment, connecting with their family and friends, and enjoying this outrageous dessert. I want to create that feeling of connection and wonder through my designs. So many fantastic designs exist, I wanted to create a comprehensive collection that contributes value and has meaning.

We have a bunch of catalogs from the late 1800s and early 1900s that I would pour over. The designs are timeless and they helped me take note of the different joineries and details that go into furniture making. I also took my inspiration by looking at designs of Oscar Niemeyer, Edra, Joaquim Tenreiro. Their take on design was so unique and the materials they used told a story of their era, the things they were inspired by, and their culture. I wanted my designs to serve as a means of self expression as well. I love learning about how things work, and am particularly curious about human behavior and mental models. I am fascinated by how cars, watches, architecture and sneakers are designed. So just like ambient research in writing, I saved the designs I loved and made notes on why I loved them and how they made me feel. The first question I asked myself was, how do I incorporate all this in my designs? I wanted to ignore the designs I had seen but keep the feelings they evoked. To do this, I started with first principles thinking; What is a chair? It's basically something you sit on to rest or relax. The second question was, how does human behavior fit in furniture design? It’s well documented that our surroundings impact our behavior and mindset and we are surrounded by furniture all the time. I remember my mom would always style our house a certain way, and she'd say, "Your home should be a reminder of the state of mind or life you aspire to have. No matter what happens when you walk out that door, you should feel peace and happiness when you are home." So early on I was cognizant of the power of intentional design, its ability to uplift and reimagine what is possible. From designing the angle of the backrest to the width of the seat, it is intentionally done to make you feel relaxed and at peace. Finally, I would start sketching each piece by taking inspiration from what I had liked about a piece of architecture or part of a car. Most of my color schemes as well have been inspired by how Rolls Royce uses different materials and colors for their interiors and one of the sectionals that I'm making right now was inspired by the sharp and sleek edges of Lamborghini's tail lights. My Romanesque Writing table was inspired by Steve Aoki's kitchen Island. It has all these different surfaces and looks so futuristic. I thought that would make a great book shelf or writing table. My architect, whom I drove crazy trying to explain my concept, finally said, "You can either have a book shelf or a writing table but you can’t have both!" Choices were made and we came up with a writing table whose chair seamlessly combines with the table.

The Japanese have this term "Mono no Aware," which refers to the bittersweet realization of the ephemeral nature of all things - for me, I think about the ephemeral nature of time and my kids at this age, of our family in this moment in time. For example, I made the T4 system as a way of being fully present with my kids. With their brilliant imaginations, I thought it would be fantastic to put play in the middle of our living room - into our daily lives. Thinking about it now, I can imagine them asking us to pilot a plane they made from the different pieces of the T4. Or be a trooper on their side of the barracks with their nerf guns! they've made with the pillows. I design because our furniture can be more much more than just things that we surround ourselves with. I see them as silent companions, helping us create spaces that foster connection, helping us uplift and reimagine what is possible. Its the temporary nature of things that makes us appreciate the time we have and the memories we can make. Theres this strange connection between melancholy and longing that brings out our creative best. I also feel Deep joy. It is one of those rare things that makes me lose track of time and excites me to wake up in the morning start working on my designs. When I look at the world through what I call, "the design glass," I take apart the elements that I find appealing and interesting and see how i can change and incorporate it in furniture. A lot of inspiration is taken from cars, watches and even sneakers. Nature is inspiring. So in a way, design is my whole life and i feel blessed and thankful that I get to do this every day.

Being a day trader taught me how to make decisions and be in touch with my feelings. It also taught me how to be malleable and change with external outputs I'm receiving. All the skills I learned in trading I apply in design. It gave me the courage and tools to become a designer. To be a good trader you need to understand yourself so I've learned and studied human behavior and behavioral psychology quite a bit. I believe design is a function of empathy, and having these skills helped me lay down the foundations of my design philosophy. Following people I respect like Angela Duckworth, Brene Brown, Shane Parrish and Annie Duke on Twitter gave me a deep insight on their routines, what they are learning and whom they are learning from (whether its books, people or tech) helped me learn a lot about human behavior which is foundational to good design. I also love photography, technology (which is why i traded crypto). Finding experts who are masters in these fields - like Debbie Millman - a master in everything in design, on twitter introduced me to podcasts/newsletters that accelerated my learning and how they view the world, which i then siphoned into designing. But most importantly, all these things gave me the courage and the mental models to pursue a career in design. All the things that were coming in my way, i learned and developed ways to get around it. Like Debbie Millman says, we need a notch more optimism than shame and fear to achieve what we want.

Since we're a new company, the goal is to establish my brand, be recognized for not only good design but quality workmanship as well as giving high value to clients. I'm also in the process of making NFTs of my pieces. Being a tech enthusiast, I would love to see some of my pieces in the metaverse. I have this vision of having a showroom in the Metaverse where people can come together, check out my pieces, interact with it, use AR to see how it will look in their homes, and then purchase it. I would also love it if, like in gaming, people from all over the world can come to my virtual showroom, talk and discuss the pieces - for example, asking your interior designer or your best friend who lives across the country to come and checkout furniture with you. This is more of a long term plan as my core business will always be producing furniture in real life. So my more immediate goal is to keep building my brand and roster of clients.

When it comes to designing, bring in your unique vision. Dont think about what others might think. You need to love what you're doing and your designs first. When it comes to building a brand, do a personal inventory. Do what you are great at and get someone else to fill in where you are lacking. Thanks to technology, you can find someone across the globe that would help you do what you want in a set budget. Lastly, network. Being an introvert, this is something I have struggled with but I've learnt over the past few weeks in fact, that the energy you bring when talking about your products, that's the energy people resonate with. If you dont show people how much love and faith you have for your products, it is hard for other people to feel the same way. Reach out to people, connect. Despite how terrified you might be of experiences the unknown, not giving your all to make sure your designs are a success, would be unbearable.

To reduce cost and margin of error when manufacturing, it is better to model and render your designs first. Check and double check measurements of everything. That has reduced a lot of cost for us. Its also allowed us to present to people our designs and see its product-market fit. Secondly, go over every aspect of the supply chain from getting an order to getting the order delivered. There will be many unexpected things that will come up but doing your homework helps to prepare better for the unexpected issues that will come up.

My day starts at 4:30 am. I have vendors around the globe so it helps to wake up a little early to talk to people during their work day. It is also good to be awake when you have no distractions. I am thankful I get to do what I love. It is also a good time to read or write a little before taking calls and starting your day. I've realized, taking some time first thing in the morning for myself allows me to deal with challenges better. Before this, I would wake up, check my phone and emails first and would immediately be annoyed at something that wasnt done correctly instead of realizing that this is just how it is. After that, I workout, and then drop my kids off to school. When I come back, I take time to brainstorm content and come up with ideas on how to give my brand and my pieces the attention they need. I usually try to get as much done as possible before I pick up my kids from school. Taking time to workout, listen to podcasts, reading and writing help me clarify my thoughts and help me discern what i want my designs to say.

I believe design is function of empathy so I follow my own style. When I would model my designs, the big question I would ask myself is, ‘does it pass the Aesthetic Force test?’ Dr. Sarah Lewis describes it as the power of art, or music, or a piece of writing that moves you, "to leave us changed - stunned, dazzled, knocked out. It can quicken the pulse and make us gasp in astonishment. Its importance is its animating trait - not what it is but what it does to those who behold it in all its forms." By using the First Principles mental model, I have stripped down each piece of furniture to its basic function. If a chair is something you sit on, then how can I make something that people would sit on as beautiful and functional as possible. I design my furniture taking inspiration from cars, from watches and beautifully designed jewelry. There is a sofa i am making that was completely inspired by the tail lights of a Lamborghini. The sleek edges and sharp lines make it look so futuristic - again, a nod to our ability to rise above and envision a bright and beautiful future. The shape of the Samandar table was inspired by the gorgeous Tonneau shape of Richard Mille watches.

When my I see joy and curiosity on the face of someone experiencing my designs, I see that it is something that is resonating with people. It is seeing a shift in people's perspective in what they expect how a chair or table should look. Its that feeling of awe and joy that makes a good design. But design is incomplete without mentioning function. The way we interact with the design is the final piece of makes a design great.

I dont think a design can ever be complete. It is a good skill to have to be able to stop and discern that a design is complete for now. Sometimes the design might stay the same but some aspects of its function will change. When I look at a piece and the first feeling is, excitement, the design is complete. I then move on to designing my next piece. There will always be more ideas and more ways to make a product better.

We have many designs that we have copyrights for which have also taken a lot of time to make. The one I'm most excited about and one that took the longest time to conceptualize from idea and build is the T4 Modular System. It is a modular built from different geometric shaped cushions that come together to make different shaped sofas. The pieces can be used individually and then can be attached together to make unique looking sofas. I am very excited about that one.

There are many, but I am a huge fan of Oscar Niemeyer, Edra, Joaquim Tenreiro. Their take on design was so unique and the materials they used told a story of their era, the things they were inspired by, and their culture. Again, it is understanding human behavior and how to best connect with those who see and use your design.

This might sound strange, but I feel most creative after listening to a good podcast. There is something about people sharing their vulnerabilities that gets my creative juices flowing. I think its going back to design being a function of empathy. All my designs are rooted in connecting with people and how furniture can facilitate that. My culture and upbringing has a huge bearing on my design. I am currently living in the USA but I grew up in Peshawar, Pakistan. The fleur chair and settee design was inspired by my home town. Peshawar is sometimes called the City of Flowers. It has gone through taliban occupation and many political turmoil, yet it still stands and the people are ever smiling and optimistic. It is these traits that inspired the Fleur set and also inspired me to use more bold colors in all my designs.

I work alone but have several contractors working for me. Having a family and being on a budget, I've had to find vendors that I could afford, who would produce quality work. Instead having huge upfront manufacturing cost, I decided to model and render my products first. This helped me gauge target market sentiment and if it resonates with people. By reducing upfront cost, I was able to hire a fantastic PR team, Sarah Raimo, who helped me propel my brand and get me featured in top tier design magazines.

The craftsmen who work for us are taken care of. They are given pension and their children's education as well as healthcare is all paid for. I also contribute to different funds that gives financial assistance to girls in marginalized places in Pakistan. I would love to be in a position where I can help out and guide new designers. I know how hard it is for me to break into the world of design so I would love the opportunity to make it easier for others.

The A'Design awards have been a godsend. It has given legitimacy to a new brand like mine and the confidence for me to keep going. I am looking forward to attending the gala and connect with other winners. Thank you for making this form and giving new designers like me an opportunity to showcase our work.

I grew up around design and seeing the intricacies and elements that make a design great. I have always been curious and interested in the concept of Aesthetic Force - its power to move, to dazzle and its ability to take our focus off from ourselves and instead, making us aware of our present moment. Iris Murdoch calls this Unselfing. This shift in perspective and what it does for us, is powerful as individuals and community as a whole. I can tell you the exact moment i realized I wanted to design; I was watching Chef Grant Achatz talk about on of his favorite dishes - a helium filled balloon dessert. He was talking about how he would see the guests at his restaurant come - and no matter what age they were, as soon as they'd inhale that helium and enjoy their dessert, their voice would change, the whole table would burst out laughing! Whether it was a grandmother or a child, you could see pure joy on their faces. They were present in that moment, connecting with their family and friends, and enjoying this outrageous dessert. For him, cooking was no longer about creating tasty, beautiful dishes, but about bringing people joy and helping them connect. That is what my designs are all about - fostering human connection and creativity and remind us of what we can be.

My love of learning and curiosity about human behavior helped me look at furniture design differently. I seek form that moves, that dazzles and reminds us of our special power to elevate and change our situation. I intentionally design function that fosters human connection and makes you feel warm and at-home. With these two ideals serving as anchors, I design my furniture - taking inspiration from cars, from watches and beautifully designed jewelry. There is a sofa i am making that was completely inspired by the tail lights of a Lamborghini. The sleek edges and sharp lines make it look so futuristic - again, a nod to our ability to rise above and envision a bright and beautiful future. The shape of the Samandar table was inspired by the gorgeous Tonneau shape of Richard Mille watches. My kids and my husband are also a huge source of inspiration for me. When making the T Modular - they are chunks of cushions that come together like a puzzle. The pieces can be used separately and come together to make a modern sofa. The inspiration came from my kids and how they love to play pretend with furniture. Building castles and forts with it one day and pretending its the Millenium Falcon the next! I wanted to bring play into my design. What better way to bring people together, make connections than through play? Its easy to rethink designing furniture when you break it down to the basic - what is its purpose? A chair to help you sit. Now make it visually dazzling, that allows you to feel playful and warm.

I remember the exact moment when I decided I needed to get out of finance and really throw myself into design. I was watching The Final Table and Chef Grant Achatz was talking about one of his favorite dishes - a helium filled balloon dessert. He was talking about the joy he saw on people’s faces when they would take a bite of it and their voice would change. No matter what age they were, as soon as they would inhale that helium and start talking the whole table would burst out laughing! Whether it was a grandmother or a child, you could see pure joy on their faces. They were present at that moment, connecting with their family and friends, and enjoying this outrageous dessert. I want to create that feeling of connection and wonder through my designs. So many fantastic designs exist, I wanted to create a comprehensive collection that contributes value and has meaning.

I mainly design living room furniture. I would to experiment with lighting as well and see how I can add some of the design elements I've created to lighting. Lighting has the ability to instantly add or change the mood of the space. It has a huge influence on how we move and interact with the space. It can change our behavior and mindset.

When it comes to designing, bring in your unique vision. Dont think about what others might think. You need to love what you're doing and your designs first. When it comes to building a brand, do a personal inventory. Do what you are great at and get someone else to fill in where you are lacking. Thanks to technology, you can find someone across the globe that would help you do what you want in a set budget. Lastly, network. Being an introvert, this is something I have struggled with but I've learnt over the past few weeks in fact, that the energy you bring when talking about your products, that's the energy people resonate with. If you dont show people how much love and faith you have for your products, it is hard for other people to feel the same way. Reach out to people, connect. Despite how terrified you might be of experiences the unknown, not giving your all to make sure your designs are a success, would be unbearable.

Again, I believe design is a function of empathy. A great designer is able to connect with their audience through form and also function.

When a design is high in form and function, thats when it truly stands apart. With form, I want to dazzle, make people see stop in their tracks and see outside of themselves if only for a moment. With function, the way my clients interact with my pieces is very important. The way it makes them feel when they sit on my sofa, will make a good design great.

Good design makes you feel great! It adds value to your life and is the invisible hand that facilitates your daily interactions.

I would love to design lighting for James Turrell. He made lighting an art form and the way they influence mood is very powerful.

There is the T4 Modular System that we are actually producing now. It is a modular built from different geometric shaped cushions that come together to make different shaped sofas. The pieces can be used individually and then can be attached together to make unique looking sofas. I am very excited about that one.

We have a bunch of catalogs from the late 1800s and early 1900s that I would pour over. The designs are timeless and they helped me take note of the different joineries and details that go into furniture making. I also took my inspiration by looking at designs of Oscar Niemeyer, Edra, Joaquim Tenreiro. Their take on design was so unique and the materials they used told a story of their era, the things they were inspired by, and their culture. I wanted my designs to serve as a means of self expression as well. I love learning about how things work, and am particularly curious about human behavior and mental models. I am fascinated by how cars, watches, architecture and sneakers are designed. So just like ambient research in writing, I saved the designs I loved and made notes on why I loved them and how they made me feel. The first question I asked myself was, how do I incorporate all this in my designs? I wanted to ignore the designs I had seen but keep the feelings they evoked. To do this, I started with first principles thinking; What is a chair? It's basically something you sit on to rest or relax. The second question was, how does human behavior fit in furniture design? It’s well documented that our surroundings impact our behavior and mindset and we are surrounded by furniture all the time. I remember my mom would always style our house a certain way, and she'd say, "Your home should be a reminder of the state of mind or life you aspire to have. No matter what happens when you walk out that door, you should feel peace and happiness when you are home." So early on I was cognizant of the power of intentional design, its ability to uplift and reimagine what is possible. From designing the angle of the backrest to the width of the seat, it is intentionally done to make you feel relaxed and at peace. Finally, I would start sketching each piece by taking inspiration from what I had liked about a piece of architecture or part of a car. Most of my color schemes as well have been inspired by how Rolls Royce uses different materials and colors for their interiors and one of the sectionals that I'm making right now was inspired by the sharp and sleek edges of Lamborghini's tail lights. My Romanesque Writing table was inspired by Steve Aoki's kitchen Island. It has all these different surfaces and looks so futuristic. I thought that would make a great book shelf or writing table. My architect, whom I drove crazy trying to explain my concept, finally said, "You can either have a book shelf or a writing table but you can’t have both!" Choices were made and we came up with a writing table whose chair seamlessly combines with the table.

We have a bunch of catalogs from the late 1800s and early 1900s that I would pour over. The designs are timeless and they helped me take note of the different joineries and details that go into furniture making. I also took my inspiration by looking at designs of Oscar Niemeyer, Edra, Joaquim Tenreiro. Their take on design was so unique and the materials they used told a story of their era, the things they were inspired by, and their culture.

The Rio rocking chaise by Oscar Niemeyer is one of my favorite designs. The way that they bended the wood to give it that unique base is ingenious.

I love the mercury drop set. It includes a dining table, stools, console table. All of these have the same design DNA. I love that even though the table legs are unique that the table top is quite sleek and doesnt take away from the focal point that are the table legs.

I learned a lot about human behavior and behavioral psychology. You have to make products that would connect with the audience. I listened to a lot of podcasts of people that are experts in this field. I followed them on twitter and would read and do what they would talk about.

I was a day trader before I started designing. I still wouldve been day trading if I didnt start designing. Being a day trader taught me how to make decisions and be in touch with my feelings. It also taught me how to be malleable and change with external outputs I'm receiving. All the skills I learned in trading I apply in design. It gave me the courage and tools to become a designer. To be a good trader you need to understand yourself so I've learned and studied human behavior and behavioral psychology quite a bit. I believe design is a function of empathy, and having these skills helped me lay down the foundations of my design philosophy.

For me, design is a function of empathy. It is knowing intimate details about what it means to be human. It is knowing about human behavior and how we interact and move in the world. A design resonates and its function realized when it comes from a place of empathy, of connection.

My husband. He has been my biggest supporter. Without him pushing me I would still be day trading.