About Me

Hello! I’m Xamin Xarim, and I am a yogurt and Pokémon enthusiast, as well as a UI, UX, and web designer. I’m from the area, but I’ve moved around DFW, and even spent time outside the country. I’m really glad to be where I am, and feel I’ve found family and community that will last forever. It was actually the feeling of belonging that made me want to pursue my professional interests; sometimes I’d look at products or services and think “This could’ve been more inclusive if they did this,” so I decided to be the change I wanted to see. I love noticing and addressing need, even if it’s challenging for me. Besides, we rarely grow when comfortable.

Project Description

“Empathy: Who Is Your Neighbor?” is a series of personas, fictional characters made to be incredibly believable. Personas are based on real data on demographics, constructed to make you empathize with them. This project aims to make use of that, and create empathy on some often misunderstood or vilified demographics.

What is one piece of advice you would provide to new ATEC students?

Have an open mind towards people different from you. People might hold different values and beliefs than you, but they also have battles they face. Try to make friends with your enemies, so that you have no enemies left to fight.

What will you miss most about UTD after graduation?

I valued college life more when it started coming to a close. Despite the amount of time spent working, studying, or in class, college can be such a free environment. Once I start working a full-time job and maybe have a family, I won’t have the amount of free time I had in college. I’ll miss the hangouts, as well as the college community I’m leaving behind.