Open to opportunities

Mashal Shamsi

@mashalshamsi

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Editorial designer and English editor crafting speculative storyworlds through research and design.

Pakistan

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can lead narrative progression across mediums—combining transmedia storytelling, research, and editorial/design execution—to build speculative, human-centered work with strong collaboration and creative growth.

I’m a transmedia producer, narrative designer, and researcher focused on building speculative storyworlds through transmedia storytelling and design-led inquiry. My work centers on narrative progression across mediums—using story, structure, and worldbuilding to explore futures that challenge legacies of displacement and dispossession.

In my ongoing project, “Weird Magic: A Transmedia Research Project,” I lead decisions on narrative progression across mediums and use transmedia worldbuilding tools to imagine counter-histories. I’m motivated by the politics of knowledge, spatial organisation, and heritage in the “post”colony, especially through a women-led collective approach.

Alongside my research, I bring strong editorial and creative design skills. I’ve freelanced as a graphic and editorial designer—handling cover concepts, full digital typesetting, and children’s publishing work—and I’ve also served as an academic editor, training in American and British English editing and formatting with Microsoft Word and required citation styles.

My background blends communication, design, and scholarship: I hold an MPhil in Art and Design with a research focus on transmedia storytelling and media/fandom culture, and I’ve contributed through publications and conference work. I bring a collaborative, mentoring mindset—from student leadership and design direction to cross-functional delivery—so teams can move from ideas to polished, meaningful outputs.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Travel Coordinator

El Camino Travel

Jan 2025 - Oct 2025 (9 months)

Served as the primary point of contact for travelers, streamlining travel coordination by managing concurrent requests and maintaining itinerary and budget records. Collaborated with vendors and managed the company’s private community/app by posting content and responding to inquiries.

Itinerary Management Budget Management Vendor coordination Community Management

Admin Assistant

El Camino Travel

Aug 2023 - Dec 2024 (1 year 4 months)

Conducted research across multiple websites and platforms to build a Google Sheets database of travel recommendations. Managed quality assurance of a CRM database that supports the company’s app.

Research Google Sheets Database Management Quality Assurance (QA)CRM

Graphic & Editorial Designer

Tehzib (Habib University)

Jun 2024 - Sep 2024 (3 months)

Created the cover concept and design and typeset the full journal for digital publication.

Editorial Design Cover Design

Academic Editor

Capstone Editing

Jul 2022 - Dec 2023 (1 year 5 months)

Edited over 70 journal articles, research proposals, and long-form theses. Trained in American and British English editing and formatted documents using Microsoft Word with the required citation styles.

Academic Editing Proofreading Microsoft Word Research Proposal Editing

Graphic & Editorial Designer

Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Oct 2022 - Nov 2022 (1 month)

Designed and typeset a children’s storybook for “This is Our Normal,” funded by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The storybook centered on themes of gender equality.

Editorial Design

MT Creative

Manhattan International

Sep 2021 - Dec 2021 (3 months)

Led creative deliverables and campaigns for Carrefour Pakistan. Worked on pitches and projects for Toyota, VAVACars, Igloo, Levi’s, and Principal Builders, including ideating design assets, writing copy for digital and print, and scripting for long-form videos and radio broadcasts.

Creative Direction Copywriting Digital Media Print media

Graphic Designer

Fun Fox Program

Mar 2020 - Sep 2021 (1 year 6 months)

Created branding materials including a logo, mascot, style guides, and product templates. Designed worksheets and supplemental material for the Preschool Pack and Writers Club, and produced PowerPoint presentations for the program.

Branding Logo Design Mascot Design Style Guide Templates Worksheet Design PowerPoint

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture

Master of Philosophy in Art and Design, Art and Design

2023 - 2025

Grade: CGPA: 3.28

Activities and societies: Research focus: Transmedia Storytelling, Narrative Studies, Media & Fandom Culture, Fantasy Fiction. Honour’s List for Academic Year 2023 and Spring 2024.

Pursued a Master of Philosophy in Art and Design with research focus on transmedia storytelling, narrative studies, media and fandom culture, and fantasy fiction.

Habib University

Bachelor of Arts (Hons.), Communication and Design

2017 - 2021

Grade: CGPA: 3.74

Activities and societies: Minor: English and Comparative Literature. Dean’s Honours List for Fall 2018. 80% Academic Scholarship. General Secretary (Student Government, 2020); President and Founding Member, Pride Press (2018–2019).

Completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Communication and Design with a minor in English and Comparative Literature.