Salam, I’m Tala
Designing the space between humans and AI: where technology becomes meaningful, adaptive and inclusive
I design to connect people
with each other, with their environments, and with possibilities they didn’t know existed.
My work begins with listening deeply. From ethnographic fieldwork in communities to usability testing in product teams, I uncover the stories behind behaviors and translate them into insights that guide design decisions.
Growing up between cultures taught me to see patterns, gaps, and opportunities that others often miss. I pay attention to the silences, the workarounds, and the rituals that reveal unmet needs. My goal is to make technology more inclusive, intuitive, and humane and I’m especially drawn to how AI, mixed reality, and new digital tools can serve communities who are too often overlooked.
About
Education
My path moves from architecture to experience design to AI, each step deepening my understanding of how humans relate to the systems around them
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Master of Design (MDes)
College of Engineering at UC Berkeley
Researching and prototyping ways for people to understand, guide, and collaborate with AI
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Erasmus+ Exchange
Design, Università Iuav di Venezia
Explored the design of mixed media and user behavior
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Design Engineering and Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture Engineering, Minor in Cognitive Psychology, with Distinction
Bachelor of architecture engineering, minor in cognitive psychology, with distinction.
Explored how space and design shapes behavior, cognition, and emotion
Work Experience
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Foundational Product Designer
Researching human–AI workflows for our B2B procurement platform; what do interactions with an AI employee look like?
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Graduate Teaching Assistant
Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, UC Berkeley
Exploring the best ways to transfer knowledge to the youth
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Lead Experiential Designer
at LOT-EK
Learned to listen to people and how crucial it is to center the human. Transformed human insight into tangible interactive installations
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User Experience Researcher
at the Khan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Designed participatory tools that merge cultural mapping with digital storytelling
Awards
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Design For Good Award
One of 52 recipients of a $6,000 grant for summer social and environmental design initiatives. Designed and built Civic Knowledge Hub, an AI-powered knowledge system for Arab Knowledge and cultural production.
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Arcus Social Justice Corps Fellowship
Full-ride scholarship for equity-driven design leadership.
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MDes Distinguished Scholar
Merit-based recognition for academic excellence.
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Erasmus+ Scholar
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Dean’s Honor List
Exhibitions
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Homebuilding with Tala
Personal narratives woven with Visible Inc. insights to explore the systems and tools communities create to live on foreign soil; identity, resilience, and belonging.
Licenses & Certifications
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Generative AI: How to Use It and Why It Matters
Harvard University
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Google UX Design Specialization
Google UX Design Professional
Contact