Areej Afzaal

Background

About Areej Afzaal

I am a product designer who recently graduated from Northeastern University, specializing in Human-Centered Informatics. I am an eager learner and my intellectual curiosity drives me to find the answers to the continuous questions drilling in my mind, even the weird ones ( be it finding the name of a song stuck in my mind, or finding out the recipe of a cookie I so want to eat!) I’ve always had a creative streak. I was the kid who loved DIY crafts and spent hours experimenting with MS Paint. But growing up, computer science was seen as the "smart" choice, so I pursued it and eventually became a software engineer. The logic made sense, but the work didn’t spark joy. I missed the creative, problem-solving aspect that originally drew me to tech. That realization led me to transition to a business analyst role, which gave me a seat at the product table. I found myself sketching wireframes, designing flows, and building prototypes. This motivated me to pursue a Master’s in Informatics with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction at Northeastern. From hands-on academic projects to working with real-world clients, I’ve found what excites me: creating thoughtful, intuitive designs that connect with users and bring ideas to life. Product design is where my technical background and creative mindset finally meet, and that’s why I’m here.