Turning Challenges Into Design Solutions
By Muhammad Khan Niazi
As a senior graphic design major at the University of Northern Iowa, Muhammad Khanazi has spent the past four years learning how design can shape real experiences. Originally from Pakistan, he’s built his UNI journey around curiosity, collaboration, and a drive to make student systems clearer and more supportive.
Rethinking the UNI Registration System
Last fall, Muhammad enrolled in a digital customer experience course that would become a defining moment in his academic career. His team—Brier Ellison and Ryder Praer—took on the ambitious challenge of reimagining UNI’s student registration system. Guided by Professor Matthew Wilson, they were encouraged to approach the project not as a class assignment, but as a functioning system with real‑world implications.
The team began with extensive research: mapping student journeys, identifying pain points, and understanding where the current process breaks down. From there, they designed a new experience centered on clarity, guidance, and giving students more control over planning their academic path.
From Concept to a Working Prototype
For Muhammad, the most rewarding part wasn’t the design itself, it was bringing the idea to life. “The part I’m most proud of is turning our idea into something that actually felt real and usable,” he says. Instead of stopping at static screens, the team built a working prototype and hosted it on a live server. Students could interact with it, and the team could gather real data on how it performed. This wasn’t required for the class. They simply wanted to push the project further.
With no coding background, the team used AI tools to help build the system’s logic and functionality. The complexity of the registration process made the work challenging. But they stayed focused on the student experience and kept breaking the problem down piece by piece.
Recognition at UNI, District 9, and Beyond
Their dedication paid off in a big way. At the American Advertising Federation Awards, the project won Gold ADDY and Best of Show at the local level—an achievement Muhammad describes as “surreal.” Then it happened again. At the District 9 competition, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, the project earned another Gold ADDY and another Best of Show. Out of roughly 18 Gold winners, only one project receives Best of Show. Mohammed’s team earned both honors.
Now, the project is headed to the national stage, and Mohammed is hopeful and excited for what comes next.
A New Perspective on Design
For Muhammad, the experience reshaped his understanding of what design truly is. “Design is really about problem‑solving, not just visuals,” he says. “That mindset changed how I approach my work.” He also hopes UNI takes something from the project: that student systems should feel clear, supportive, and empowering—not confusing or overwhelming.
A Message to Fellow Students
Muhammad’s piece to his fellow international students—and the UNI community as a whole— offers one piece of advice:
“Don’t be afraid to push your work further than what’s expected. That extra step can open doors you never imagined. You’ll learn things that aren’t in the curriculum, and that has its own value.”