Shahrom Ali
Engineer who designs. Designer who ships.
I build products end-to-end — from the first sketch to the deployed system.
My edge is that I start with people. Human motivation, existing behavior, unmet needs — I spend time understanding these before writing a line of code. The best products don't ask users to change, they fit into how people already live. I've built this way since my first startup and it's what I bring to every team I join.
Previously co-founded Zelospace in London: designed the product, built iOS and Android apps, hit product-market fit, led a team of 5. Currently lead engineer on a funded research project at Concordia.
Projects
Developed an autonomous solar-powered gaming server end-to-end, bringing solar power into Minecraft as game mechanics. A speculative design research-creation project.
Designed and developed an interactive research paper for ACM DIS'24 demonstrating experimental forms of research communication in game design —
Reimagined the academic article as a digital-native interactive experience — a research project exploring how design can make scholarly work more accessible and engaging.
Projects
SunBlock: The Solar-Powered Server
Developed an autonomous solar-powered gaming server end-to-end, bringing solar power into Minecraft as game mechanics. A speculative design research-creation project.
View projectReflective Surfaces
Designed and developed an interactive research paper for ACM DIS'24 demonstrating experimental forms of research communication in game design —
View projectProse
Reimagined the academic article as a digital-native interactive experience — a research project exploring how design can make scholarly work more accessible and engaging.
View projectArtreach
Designed and developed a platform for Milieux Institute that connects academic designers and artists to broader communities — increasing public engagement with university research.
View projectMaterializing Design
Currently managing this research group investigating design practice and design research methodology. I develop the method for traceable game design research, and tools to help researchers practice it.
View projectLife on the Edge: Analytics Engine
Built a game analytics engine that tracks player behaviour in an educational game, turning gameplay data into measurable learning outcomes for researchers and educators.
View projectZelospace
Co-founded and built the product for a startup connecting university students through shared interests — from concept to launch, growing to 1000+ active users on campus.
View project