Abdalla Emam

What is your personal and professional background?

One of my biggest reasons for moving to the United States from Egypt over a decade ago was not to choose a safe career path — but to have the opportunity to pursue what I am truly passionate about. I started my career in digital and product design at New York-based design agencies. After living and working in New York for many years, I moved to Silicon Valley two years ago.

I currently specialize in SaaS product design and have worked for tech companies including Apple and Qlik Technologies. Currently, I’m a lead UX designer at Equinix Inc., which specializes in data center solutions and cloud services. 

Why did you choose USC’s Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology?

When I found out about this program and learned about its integrative cross-disciplinary master’s curriculum, I was excited — and certain that it was the right program for me. I was looking for something different from other master’s programs, which usually constrain you to a one-sided path. This program seemed unique in focusing on the real value of design thinking and its broad range of possibilities.

What are your career goals?

As I’ve been working in the tech and design fields for years now, I see the desperate need for an experienced leader, strategist and a head of design thinking. The title of the role doesn’t really matter, but it’s someone who understands design thinking and design process, has experience in tech and innovation and understands how to move business needs forward according to a user-centered design approach. This is a design professional who is creative and comfortable on the design board as well as a leader who can speak up in the executive conference room.

I would love to become that well-rounded design leader and lead socially and culturally responsible designs and products.

In what way(s) do you believe USC’s Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology will help you to achieve your career goals?

The thing I like the most about this program is how it pushes you to get uncomfortable and non-complacent — thinking outside of the box. To me, that is crucial for embracing innovation and designing great and unique design experiences.    

Tell me about a surprising experience you’ve had over the past few days at the Residential. Was it unexpected or challenging? How so?

I think the residency has proved to me the importance of team communication, transparency and responsibility and how important it is for each person on the team to feel empowered. As I aspire to be a design leader, this residency was such a great change to my perspective on how to be a good design leader.