ZIA KHAN

Zia Khan, founder of Lucid Partners, a communication design firm, began his design career more than 25 years ago, cutting his creative teeth in New York in the 1980s. In 1991, he moved to Atlanta and eventually founded Lucid Partners, a nationally recognized and award-winning creative agency. His insistence on positive results for clients through smart thinking and great design has been a major key to the success of his firm. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Coca-Cola, The Home Depot and Southern Company. Khan graduated from the Portfolio Center following undergraduate studies in Physics, Math and Geology from Bangalore University in India.

A frequent lecturer at design schools, he is also active in helping shape the role of design through his participation in organizations, panels and committees. He currently serves on the national board of the AIGA. In the past few years, in pursuit of his interests at the intersection of design and business, Khan has become an ardent advocate of design thinking as a strategy for businesses to gain competitive advantage. Putting this into practice has resulted in a startup venture — The Kenari Company — of which he is a founding partner. Kenari is a brand leader that is building an innovative food system to

Where were you born, where do you live, did this effect your design style or sensibilities? I was born in Bangalore, India, and have lived in Atlanta GA for the past 18 years. I believe one's cultural roots should have no influence on design outcomes, unless it is desired by project objectives. Having said that, my background, my values, interpersonal style and approach to business relationships are rooted in the culture of my birthplace.

If you were not a designer, what would you be? A bum.

What is your design process, do you sketch first, go to the computer, take days off to get inspired? It depends. At times dots are connected quickly and epiphanies delivered instantly, but more often than not it is a process of infusing information, allowing time for ideas to percolate and then start pouring . . . and see what develops.

What is one thing you have done to help weather the economic downturn? Broadened the definition of what it means to be a designer.

What is your greatest strength and weakness as a designer? I am at my best when I challenge the status quo. Sometimes there is not enough strength and conviction in the follow through of the challenge and that leads to flat ideas.

YOUR DESIGN HERO?
Mohammed Yunus (Grameen Bank)

WORST HABIT?
Procrastination

FAVORITE COLOR?
Burnt Sienna

FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
News Gothic

FAVORITE TV SHOWS?
The Charlie Rose Show

FAVORITE BOOKS?
Blue Ocean Strategy, Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Kite Runner

FAVORITE MOVIES?
Amarcord, Memento, Jean de Florette, Manon de Source

FAVORITE MUSIC?
Jazz, Blue grass

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Anish Kapoor

FAVORITE GADGET?
iPhone

BOOKMARKED WEBSITES?
businessweek, logs.harvardbusiness.org, good, huffingtonpost, design observer

BEST GIFT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
Life

ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?
iPhone

ONE THING YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Air

TALENT YOU WISH YOU POSSESSED?
Writing