I’m Ezldean Shalabi, a designer and storyteller searching for beauty that feels honest.

My work moves between graphics, fashion, branding, photography, and experiential design, unified by one purpose: to capture what I feel more truthfully through design than I ever could through words.

I run HAWA, A brand that reflects this same pursuit. HAWA is the representation of my lived & shared experience as a Muslim growing up in the States. A project dedicated to me making my place in the world, and finding the words to communicate who I am. With every product, pop-up, collaboration, or campaign, I aim to make excellent, memorable experiences.

Beyond my independent practice, I’ve built my skills across formal employment, institutional, academic, and consulting environments. I’ve contributed my work within hungry startups, classrooms, organizations, non-profits, and alongside busy research faculty.

I'm a designer obsessed with storytelling and experience focused work. I’m wrapping up my Senior year at the University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign studying Sustainable Design & Architecture. I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned in these last few years and share it with the world.