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.