Awais Waheed
I architect scalable and accessible multi-brand design systems.
Adaptive tokens, cohesive component libraries, and governance model that works in the real world — everything teams need to design and deliver at scale.
Selected Work
Here are some of the case studies of my recent work
Spark Design System
A comprehensive case study detailing the creation of a scalable design system for a new British Gas product, built from the ground up.
Research, Planning, Management, UI design, Testing
British Gas - Brand Refresh
A visual identity refresh for the British Gas brand, encompassing research, analysis, ideation, UI design, and rigorous testing.
Research, Analysis, Ideation, UI design, Testing
RBS Travel
A dedicated travel booking platform for RBS customers, providing access to exclusive travel offers and benefits.
Illustrator, Photoshop, Invision
Centrica - Design Ops Setup
A strategic initiative to streamline design operations, enhancing the efficiency and quality of the entire design ecosystem.
Sketch, Illustrator, Photoshop, Zeplin
Natwest Premier App
A premium mobile application for NatWest Premier account holders, offering exclusive benefits and a seamless booking system.
Sketch, Illustrator, Photoshop, Zeplin
Accolade Bank Benefits hub
A white-label product developed for the Mastercard Benefits Optimizer (MBO) program.
Illustrator, Photoshop
About Me
I specialise in the curation and maintenance of scalable Design Systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency across product ecosystems. My expertise lies in bridging the gap between design and development through robust governance and documentation.
I have a strong track record in establishing Design Ops, optimizing ways of working, and implementing tools and processes that streamline collaboration. I focus on creating seamless workflows that empower teams to deliver high-quality products at speed.
Beyond design, I bring hands-on experience in Front-end development, utilising the React stack and TypeScript to build production-ready components. This technical proficiency allows me to design with feasibility in mind and contribute directly to the codebase.
Design Systems & Design Ops
Setup and maintenance of scalable design systems and processes
Hybrid Designer/Developer
UX/UI Designer with hands-on experience in React & TypeScript
15+ Years Experience
Working with large enterprises as well as start-ups
Education
Masters in New Media Art & Design, BS in Computer Sciences
Experience
My professional journey across various industries and roles
British Gas
British Gas is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers, serving millions of households with gas, electricity, and home services.
As Design System Lead, I established the foundations of a scalable, multi-brand Design System across the organisation. My work involved building Design Ops practices, defining workflow standards, and creating robust governance to align design and engineering teams. I led the setup and maintenance of UI kits for multiple brands, mentored designers through workshops and training, and introduced streamlined collaboration processes that improved delivery quality. I also contributed to user research, testing, and Figma plugin development, ensuring the system supported both efficiency and real-world product needs.
Autodesk
Autodesk is a global leader in software for architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media, and entertainment.
As a Senior UX/UI Designer, I focused on solving complex problems for cloud-based SaaS construction management products. My role involved extensive ideation, exploration, wireframing, and prototyping to simplify intricate workflows through effective UX mapping. I established a bespoke wireframe library and file structure templates to improve consistency and efficiency. Additionally, I played a key role in mentoring the team on best practices for using Figma as a primary design and prototyping tool.
Sainsbury's / Argos
Sainsbury's is one of the UK's leading supermarkets, and Argos is a prominent catalogue retailer, together serving millions of customers.
As a Lead UX/UI Designer & UI Developer, I was the sole designer for an internal Call Centre Application used by agents to support customers. I conducted user research and business requirement gathering to produce optimized prototypes that delivered tangible business value. I developed an agent-facing UI design system and provided front-end expertise using React JS, TypeScript, and Redux, taking ownership of components in Storybook. My role bridged the gap between design and development, working closely with Product Owners to ensure build feasibility and efficient delivery.
Semantic Integration
Semantic Integration is a data-driven solutions and consulting agency working with high-profile clients like Pearson.
As a Lead UX/UI Designer, I was brought in for a specialized project at Pearson to enhance an internal asset management application. I conducted user research and translated business requirements into wireframes and highly interactive prototypes using Axure RP. Through rigorous user testing sessions, I delivered an optimized solution that aligned user needs with business goals.
Affinion International
Affinion International is a global leader in customer engagement and loyalty programs, partnering with major brands.
As a Lead UI/UX Designer & Front-End Developer, I led the design and development of key FinTech projects. I defined UX strategies, created high-fidelity visual creatives, and built interactive click-through prototypes. I delivered polished, pixel-perfect UIs while mentoring junior designers. On the technical side, I developed front-end interfaces using modern web technologies, integrating with REST APIs and managing complex application state.
Superdrug
Superdrug is one of the UK's largest health and beauty retailers.
As a Front-end Developer & UI Designer, I played a pivotal role in building Superdrug's new website from scratch for both desktop and mobile. I led the front-end development, translating wireframes and UI designs into functional, responsive interfaces. My tech stack included HTML, CSS, XML, jQuery, and JSON, ensuring a seamless and accessible user experience.
Coral
Coral is a leading European betting and gaming company with a strong market presence.
As a Visual Designer, I produced high-end graphics for various business divisions. My work primarily focused on creating engaging gaming banners, combining static designs with animated Flash elements to drive user engagement and support marketing campaigns.
Kaplan International
Kaplan is a premier provider of educational services for individuals, schools, and businesses worldwide.
As a UI Designer/Developer, I was responsible for the full lifecycle of web projects, from designing concepts to coding responsive pages using HTML5, CSS3, and jQuery. I ensured strict cross-browser optimization and conducted testing on Litmus. I also designed and developed email campaigns using platforms like Dotmailer and Cheetahmail.
Skills & Tools
A comprehensive toolkit for designing and building digital products
Design
Development
Methodologies
Management
Tech stack I Work With
Education
New media Art & Design
Masters degree
Computer Sciences (BCS)
First degree
Design and Multimedia
Certification
Get In Touch
I'm always interested in hearing about new projects and opportunities. Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, feel free to drop me a message!