Portrait of Yahya El-Sawi
The source / Yahya El-Sawi

Designing for humans, coding for fun.

Hi, I’m Yahya. I design and build digital products that solve real problems, focusing on clarity, usability, and solutions that actually work.

3+Years experience
10Projects
Coffees
My philosophy

Evidence, empathy, and detail.

Data-Driven

Decisions backed by analytics and user testing, not just intuition. I believe in measuring success.

Empathy First

Understanding users’ pain points is the first step toward solving them. Design is for people.

Pixel Perfect

Attention to detail separates good design from great design. I sweat the small stuff.

Experience

Building across disciplines.

Software & Web Developer

Gift It · Dubai, UAE

Working on production features across web, UX, and databases. Responsible for testing, performance optimization, database schemas, transactional emails, and collaborating with the founder on product direction.

RIT Student App — Capstone-Level Project

RIT Dubai

Led the design and development of a student app to replace the existing Pulse system. Integrated myCourses and SIS while improving notifications, accessibility, and overall UX.

NASA Space Apps Hackathon

Dubai, UAE

Contributed to “Winder,” an open-source project discovery platform using swipe-based matching. Implemented team-matching logic to support team formation.

Enhancing Data Management

RIT Dubai

Designed a relational database system focused on data integrity, security, efficient retrieval, and normalized schemas.

Web Development Project — Tekram

RIT Dubai

Built a responsive website for a Lebanese restaurant with a focus on UI, content, and interaction using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Video Editing & Early Software Projects

AIS Dubai · Gift It

Produced large-scale graduation videos and tutorials, and built a Python virtual assistant with voice recognition and a GUI.

Current technical focus

Immersive learning and intelligent infrastructure.

Senior Development Project · 2025–2026

Immersive Brain Exploration

Interactive VR neuroanatomy learning platform built with Unity, C#, OpenXR, and XR Interaction Toolkit. Work includes brain-structure interactions, world-space clinical information panels, Meta Quest deployment, comfort, readability, accessibility, architecture, workflows, and testing.

UnityC#OpenXRMeta Quest
Network Design & Performance · Spring 2026

Secure Small Mall Automation System

AI-assisted network automation using Python, Flask, GNS3, Netmiko, Cisco IOS, VLANs, ACLs, OSPF, and Docker hosts. Includes conversational configuration, dynamic tenant onboarding, validation, and closed-loop failure correction.

GNS3NetmikoOSPFAutomation
Education

Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai.

Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technologies · Minor in Business Administration · Degree awarded May 2026

Tools & skills

A broad working toolkit.

Backend & Databases

Data IntegrityDatabase DesignMySQLOracle SQLNormalizationPHPFlask

Design

AccessibilityDesign SystemsFigmaPrototypingResponsive DesignWireframing

Frontend

CSSHTMLJavaScriptReact NativeTailwind CSSVue.js

Programming

BashC#JavaOOPPython

Immersive & XR

UnityOpenXRXR Interaction ToolkitWorld-space UIMeta QuestVR Accessibility

Networking & Automation

Cisco Packet TracerGNS3VLANsACLsOSPFQoSNetmikoDockerWireshark

AI & Product Tools

ChatGPTClaudeClaude APIGitHub CopilotPrompt EngineeringBusiness AnalysisUML

Creative & Platforms

IllustratorPhotoshopPremiere ProAWSGitNotionSendGridShopifyOdoo