From Passionate Artist to Strategic Leader: The Journey of Ziyad Organji

Who is Ziyad? A Leader with the Spirit of an Artist

Ziyad Tarek Al-Khwarizmi is not defined by a single title. He is a leader, innovator, artist, entrepreneur, musician, and author. With more than 25 years of experience spanning design, visual identity, and brand strategy, his journey has always been about one mission: creating impact that fuses creativity with organizational excellence.

When Did Leadership Begin? A Home Rooted in Values and Responsibility

Ziyad was raised in a family that lived and breathed responsibility. His mother, Dr. Shukriya Jan, was an educator of generations, and his father, Tarek Ruknji, served as Director of Economic Studies at Saudia Airlines. Around the family table, Ziyad learned to listen deeply before speaking and analyze before reacting—habits that would later form the foundation of his leadership style.

Creativity First: Roots in Art and Love for Experimentation

From childhood, Ziyad gravitated toward drawing, exhibitions, and later music and traditional maqam melodies. Summers were not spent idly—he worked in airport restaurants and printing presses to gain both responsibility and discipline. This mix of artistic passion and practical work ethic shaped his future path.

The Moment of Discovery: A Disney Visit and Awakening to Design

During a high school study trip to the United States, Ziyad visited Disney Studios during the production of The Lion King. There, he saw graphic design on Apple computers for the first time—an encounter that completely shifted his vision. Since the field was not yet available in Saudi universities, he studied Fine Arts and Design as the closest alternative, with his father supporting him by buying his first Apple computer.

A Career Rebuilt with Resilience

Ziyad began his career in IKEA’s décor department as the first Saudi in that role. He then moved into advertising, working with both local and international agencies before founding his own company and becoming independent by the age of 30. In 2014, a major setback forced him to start over, but he rebuilt stronger, transforming his company into one of Saudi Arabia’s leading branding and strategy consultancies.

Bridging the Gap: Enriching Arabic Content

When Saudi universities began offering graphic design programs, there were no Arabic references available. Ziyad authored “Al-Isam,” a book on brand strategy. The first accredited Arabic reference in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Even the term “Isam” was coined by him to give branding an authentic Arabic identity.

Pursuit of Excellence: From Rob Janoff to National Projects

At one point, Ziyad faced criticism on a government project and sought the opinion of Rob Janoff, the designer of Apple’s iconic logo. Janoff’s detailed response restored Ziyad’s confidence and even led to the first Arabic interview with the global designer. Today, Ziyad’s fingerprints can be seen across landmark initiatives, including Saudi Vision 2030, Diriyah, Jeddah Central, Makkah Route, and even the identity of Saudi electric vehicles.

Ziyad’s Leadership Philosophy

For Ziyad, a brand is not a logo; it is a culture built from within. External audiences will only believe your message if they see it embodied internally. He describes his personal brand as a blend of loyalty, resilience, respect, and commitment to results, values inherited from his parents.

The Central Lesson

The journey of Ziyad Al-Khwarizmi is a story of turning the absence of opportunities into opportunities created: when a field didn’t exist, he made it his path; when resources were missing, he wrote the reference; when a company crisis struck, he transformed it into a new beginning. His message to young leaders: find your passion, create what doesn’t exist, and become the bridge between creativity and corporate impact.

Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel, and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Anghami.