- As tributes continue to pour in, colleagues describe a visionary who championed empathy in design, advocated for high standards, and believed in the power of digital experiences to transform everyday life
- His legacy is expected to remain foundational in the UAE’s rapidly expanding design, tech, and innovation sectors
The UAE’s digital design and user experience community is mourning the loss of Devesh Mistry, an Indian-origin entrepreneur widely regarded as one of the region’s most influential voices in UX design. His passing was announced by his company, Red Blue Blur Ideas (RBBi), which he co-founded in 2011. The cause of death has not been made public.
Mistry, affectionately called “Superman” by colleagues—a nod both to his relentless pace and the “Red Blue Blur” streak referenced in the agency’s name—has been credited with shaping the direction of digital experience design in the Gulf long before it became mainstream. His colleagues across the Middle East described him as a visionary leader, mentor, and an anchor within the community.
- Beginning his career in coding in the late 1990s, Mistry shifted his focus from technical development to studying human interaction with digital platforms
- This shift laid the foundation for RBBi, one of the region’s earliest agencies dedicated fully to UX and UI design
- Under his leadership, the agency served global brands including Microsoft, IBM, MasterCard, Emirates NBD, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Beyond corporate work, Mistry’s greatest legacy may lie in his mentorship. He was deeply involved in nurturing young talent, teaching at the University of Dubai and previously at the University of Technology in Sydney. Students and junior designers recall him as a generous and patient educator who helped shape career paths and the standards of the emerging digital industry.
Originally from Mumbai and trained in physics, Mistry brought a rare blend of analytical thinking and human-centered design philosophy. His curiosity about behaviour, culture, and the psychology of user interaction helped push the region toward more intuitive digital ecosystems.
In a heartfelt statement, RBBi said the team is taking time “to support one another through grief and reflection.” Industry leaders across the Gulf echoed the sentiment, emphasising that Mistry’s influence extended far beyond client work—he helped establish UX design as a recognised profession in the Middle East.
