Associate Professor Dr Zuhaili Akmal Ismail

Associate Professor Dr Zuhaili Akmal Ismail

  • Deputy Dean (Employability and Alumni)
  • Associate Professor
Department of Communication

Biography

Zuhaili Akmal Ismail graduated from Syracuse University in the United States (US) with a degree in Advertising Creative. Following graduation, Zuhaili joined McCann Erickson in New York and worked his way up as Art Director, working on various accounts like Mastercard, Conde Nast, Crate & Barrel, Avis, Breyers, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Having been a finalist for the Cannes Lions twice, Zuhaili bagged three Golds and Best of Show from the Advertising Federation of New York. He was inducted into New York Art Director Club in 2009 and was chosen as one of the Top 10 Art Directors in the US for 2009. Zuhaili eventually returned to Malaysia to become an educational advocate and a creative consultant. He currently writes a weekly style column, Gaya Seri, in Utusan Malaysia.

 

Academic & Professional Qualifications

  • PhD in Education (Advertising Creative & Visual Arts Curriculum), Universiti Teknologi MARA (2016)
  • MA in Visual Communication & New Media, Universiti Teknologi MARA (2010)
  • BSc in Advertising Creative (Art Direction), Syracuse University, New York (2004)

Research Interests

  • Advertising Design
  • Brand Experience
  • Brand Identity
  • Design Thinking
  • Experiential Education
  • Service Design

Notable Publications

  1. Weekly column for Gaya Seri, Utusan Malaysia. Every Saturday

Achievements & Accolades

  1. Gold Medal at Invention, Innovation and Design on eLearning (IIDEL) Exhibition and Competition 2016
  2. D&AD New Blood Award 2015 (Tutor)
  3. 2014 Adobe Design Achievement Awards Semifinalist (Tutor)
  4. First Place for 3D Installation & Second Place for On-Site Painting in Urban Art Competition: Laman Seni 7 Competition 2014 (Tutor)
  5. First Prize for Ancient Herbs Competition 2013 (Tutor)
  6. Silver Medal for Malaysia Invention, Innovation and Design (IID) 2011
  7. Conference Panel & Reviewer for DesignEd Asia 2010 in Hong Kong
  8. Gold and Judge’s Choice Award from Advertising Federation of New York’s 2009 ADDY® Awards
  9. Finalist Film: MasterCard “Favorite Things” in Cannes Lion 2009
  10. Finalist Media: MasterCard “Priceless Search” in Cannes Lion 2009
  11. First Place in the American Advertising Federation (AAF) 2009
  12. Merit in Effie Awards 2008
  13. Best of Show & two Golds at New York’s 2007 ADDY® Awards
  14. New York Art Director Club Induction
  15. Hisako Fujitsuka Award