Tazeen Hussain

BIO
Tazeen Hussain holds an MA in New Media & Society from the University of Leicester, UK, and a Bachelor of Design in Communication Design from Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi. With a strong foundation in communication design, her academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of media, communication, and design, particularly in the socio-cultural context of Pakistan.

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in emancipation, drawing from the works of Paulo Freire and Bell Hooks. She emphasizes inquiry-based, self-directed learning and integrates participatory design methods into her curriculum to foster critical engagement. Hussain is passionate about guiding students to understand design within its socio-cultural framework and equipping them with the skills to create socially responsible and culturally relevant design solutions. As a practitioner and academic, she uniquely blends design theory with her experience as a Pakistani TV actor, offering students a holistic understanding of design’s cultural and societal implications.

Hussain’s research focuses on pedagogical innovation, design education and practice, media and communication design, with an emphasis on the role of design in Pakistan’s history and its evolution. She advocates for expanding the boundaries of knowledge to include indigenous and experiential narratives, ensuring that design research includes voices from underrepresented communities. She is also interested in exploring the intersections between design and acting, particularly in how user experience design can enhance character development in TV productions. Hussain is actively involved in the academic community, serving on academic boards of multiple institutions across Pakistan, as a thesis advisor and engaging in various professional roles. Notable positions include being appointed the Chair of the Design category for the ADA Awards (fourth cycle) and serving as a member of the Peer Review Committee for IEDAs: A Journal of Transdisciplinary Practices in Art & Design, BNU. She has led significant initiatives such as the US-Pakistan University Partnerships Grants Program and has made substantial contributions to projects like the Karachi Art Directory. She is also the founder member of The Karachi Collective, a digital platform for stimulating interdisciplinary dialogue on art design architecture and culture.

In addition to her academic work, Hussain is a prolific writer, contributing to publications on design, culture, and social issues. She is also deeply engaged in outreach projects, including those focused on digital storytelling and social innovation. Her mentorship extends to emerging designers, having mentored in various creative and academic initiatives. Her multidisciplinary approach, combining design, media, and acting, positions her as a pioneering educator and researcher in the field of communication design in Pakistan.