Origins
Growing up in Hong Kong and Australia, Rizwan Nawaz was always an avid learner and creative thinker. In high school, he was Dux for four years, demonstrating his academic excellence and versatility. Although he had the potential to pursue a career in finance, medicine, science, or literature, his imagination and love for design led him down a different path. Rizwan earned a Certificate II in Multimedia at TAFE and a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design at university.
His career began in uniforms and signage, where he learned how to practically apply his designs. At just 20 years old, he opened his own clothing store in a Sydney factory outlet, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. Following a successful university internship, Rizwan secured a job at a B2B publication house, working on various industry magazines, including finance, franchising, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and media.
Rizwan’s career trajectory continued upward as he became a Creative Director for a merchandising group. He was later poached to work as a Lead Pitch Designer in the commercial real estate sector. Throughout his professional journey, Rizwan freelanced, honing his skills and building a diverse portfolio.
Eventually, he left the corporate world to focus full-time on Studio Riz. There, he assembled a team of experts and pursued his passion for learning, innovation, and knowledge-sharing through teaching and lecturing.
Rizwan is fascinated by history, mythology, and philosophy, seeing their potential to shape a brand’s story, values, and narrative. His name, ‘Rizwan,’ is Arabic for the ‘angel who guards heaven’s gate,’ inspiring him to choose the griffin as the emblem for Studio Riz. This symbol represents his commitment to preserving and elevating the distinct identity of each brand he collaborates with.
As CEO, Rizwan leads Studio Riz and supports client businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. He is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. In his spare time, he enjoys photographing cityscapes and landscapes and is an accredited Master Photographer on Google Maps. Additionally, he dedicates part of the year to teaching as a Design & Entertainment Business Management Lecturer at JMC Academy, one of Australia’s leading creative industries institutions.
The story of the Griffin
Part lion, part eagle, tales of this great beast were born from ‘ancient bones’ and gold deposits found in the Gobi Desert by the Scythians; a nomadic, culturally advanced people, who travelled the territory between Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, and Mongolia. Soon the tales of the fierce and protective creature were woven into the art and mythology of many diverse ancient cultures, including Babylonia, Anatolia, Egypt, Europe, and India.
By the time these stories reached Greece, their gods had griffins pulling the chariots of Apollo and Dionysus, defending the treasures of Nemesis, and were companions to Zeus. These myths perpetuated beliefs of these fierce creatures being protectors, carrying out retribution for injustice and gatekeepers of treasure.
The griffin in our logo stands guard at the gates of heaven, looking over its shoulder to symbolise our respect for a brand's history and readiness to lead it into the future. The griffin’s dual nature as both lion and eagle embodies our commitment to strength and vision—qualities we bring to every project. We aim to be the versatile heroes of creativity and strategy your brand needs, helping it soar, roar, and leave a lasting legacy of greatness, just as the griffin has done throughout the ages.
References: Carroll, C. (2012). Mythology in Art. Arts & Activities, 152(3), 22 ; Storied by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios. (2022). Why Has the Majestic Griffin Been Forgotten? | Monstrum. [Video].
Our Values
Hard Work
Guided By The Griffin’s Will To Guard & Protect
No matter the project, our actions are driven by ethics, loyalty, and integrity. We always give 150%, going the extra mile to get the job done. We impose high standards on ourselves, never compromising on our vision and values.
Adaptablility
Balancing The Griffin’s Choice Of Power Or Grace
The best teachers are the best learners. We swiftly adapt, mastering new skills across various fields. Our ability to learn and innovate rapidly allows us to overcome challenges and deliver exceptional results.
Practicality
Embodying The Griffin’s Wisdom & Awareness
Design doesn’t live in a vacuum; it needs to work for you. Our focus is to create simple, easy-to-use designs, systems and templates that cut through the clutter and align with business goals. We combine innovative ideas with practical solutions to drive success.
Storytelling
Rooted In The Griffin’s Myth & Artistic LEgacy
We celebrate the diverse cultural heritage and mythology that inspire our work. Recognising the power of stories and symbols to connect and resonate, we create designs that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful and impactful.
Reciprocity
Upholding The Griffin’s Sense Of Loyalty
The power of mutual support and shared success is profound. By considering and uplifting each other, we create an environment where everyone can thrive. Our aim is to spread joy, happiness, and fun, making collaboration a pleasure rather than a chore.
Giving Back
Inspired By The Griffin’s Devotion To Guide Others
We are committed to giving back and fostering growth through education. Through workshops, consulting, and mentoring, we share our knowledge to uplift the community and inspire the next generation of creatives.