Ali’s ability to create culturally resonant branding stems from his upbringing in historic Tehran and the artful Barranco District of Lima. Moving to California at age seven and later studying graphic design at SDSU, he honed his skills at agencies like Phenomenon and Cahan & Associates. His global perspective is the heart of Design Dept, whether he’s collaborating with designers from Barcelona or Costa Rica, or traveling to art-rich destinations like Aix-en-Provence and Capri.
With a deep understanding of graphic design fundamentals, Ali has created award-winning, disruptive work across diverse sectors, including sports (FanDuel), music (Seicento Baroque Ensemble), art installations (Kai nu’u o Kanaloa), and floral (Fauxliage). Notable projects include:
- Fatty15 – Branding for the science-backed C15:0 supplement company, which sold out within three months of launch. The sustainable design, incorporating algae ink, refill pouches, and reduced plastic use, earned awards from The One Show, Pentawards, Dieline, and Graphic Design USA.
- Central Pacific Bank – Modernized branding for the Hawaii-based bank, blending a mid-century design with Hawaiian roots through color palettes, animal motifs, and Japanese-inspired patterns. The project received multiple awards from the Art Directors Club.
- St. Jane Hotel – Rebranding that honored the city’s rich history and the building’s iconic architecture, garnering awards and press from Condé Nast Traveler, Boutique Design Magazine, and Communication Arts.
Inspired by Japanese and Swiss design, Design Dept’s minimalist aesthetic creates brands that cut through the clutter by emphasizing core messages and cultural relevance. They leverage the power of negative space and the art of subtraction, guided by Josef Müller-Brockmann’s grid systems, to ensure purposeful, meaningful decisions executed with simplicity and structure. The name “Design Dept” reflects Ali’s vision of the studio as an extension of any company or brand, acting as their bespoke design department.
To learn more about Design Dept, check out more of their work here and Instagram here
