hi, i’m zeina — an art director based in dubai. i moved here from toronto (purely because i couldn’t survive another winter). and i’m an aspiring mediterranean beach house owner.
my work’s been recognized by cannes lions, the one show, and a few others — but more importantly, it’s driven by stories that feel real, culturally relevant, and actually make people feel something (and in a good way most of the time).
if you want to chat about work that made you laugh (or cry), your favourite films, or invite me to your beach house
------> zeinaelshurafa@gmail.com
education.
Miami Ad School Toronto
Art Direction Program
January 2021 - December 2022
University of Toronto
Honours Bachelor of Arts
September 2016 - June 2020
experience.
sweetwater mea
Senior Art Director
November 2025 - Present
Courage
Art Director
October 2022 - October 2025
Rethink
Art Director Intern
April 2022 - September 2022
McCann Health Dubai
Art Director Intern
January 2022 - March 2022
awards.
2026
Campaign Big Global Awards - Gold - Retail - 2026
Strategy’s Atomic Awards - Grand Prix - 2026
Strategy’s Atomic Awards - Gold - Brand Integration - 2026
Strategy’s Atomic Awards - Gold - Atomic PR - 2026
Strategy’s Atomic Awards - Gold - Atomic Collaboration - 2026
Strategy’s Atomic Awards - Silver - Atomic Idea - 2026
Strategy’s Atomic Awards - Silver - Atomic Social - 2026
Strategy’s Atomic Awards - Silver - Atomic Engagement - 2026
2025
Clio Sports - Grand Prix- Creative Effectiveness - 2025
Clio Sports - Grand Prix - Partnerships & Sponsorships - Experience/Activation - 2025
Clio Sports - Grand Prix - Partnerships & Sponsorships - Fan Engagement - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Event/Activation - Experience/Activation - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Use of Athlete/Talent/Influencer - Experience Activation - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Use of Athlete/Talent/Influencer - Fan Engagement - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Use of Athlete - Gameday Fan experience - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Integrated - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Mixed Campaign - Out of Home - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Athlete - Partnerships & Sponsorships - 2025
Clio Sports - Gold - Use of Athlete/Talent/Influencer - Social Media - 2025
Clio Sports - Silver - Brand x Team/League - Partnerships & Sponsorships - 2025
Clio Sports - Silver - Event/Activation/Stunt - Public Relations - 2025
Clio Sports - Bronze - Use of Athlete/Talent/Influencer - Public Relations - 2025
ADCC - Silver - Direct - Out of Home - 2025
ADCC - Silver - Direct - Physical Items - 2025
ADCC - Gold - Experiential - Events - 2025
ADCC - Gold - Integrated Campaign - 2025
ADCC - Gold - Promo, Campaign - 2025
ADCC - Gold - Community Building - 2025
ADCC - Gold - PR Campaign - 2025
ADCC - Silver - Stunt/Event - 2025
CMA - Silver - Retail/Consumer Business - 2025
Cannes Lion - Bronze - Breakthrough on a Budget - 2025
Campaign Big Global - Winner - Travel & Tourism - 2025
Campaign Big Global - Finalist - OOH - 2025
Atomic - Silver - Best Print/OOH - 2025
Webby - Finalist - Best Viral PR campaign - 2025
One Show - Merit Award - PR - Innovation - Use of Media in PR - 2025
2024
ADCC Gold - Billboard single - 2024
ADCC Gold - Billboard campaign - 2024
Sports Clios - Silver - Public Relations - 2024
Sports Clios - Silver - OOH - 2024
Sports Clios - Silver - Fan Engagement - 2024
CMA - Gold - Engagement, Retail/Consumer Business - 2024
CMA - Gold - Public Relations, Retail/Consumer Business - 2024
CMA - Silver - Business/Brand Impact, Retail/Consumer Business - 2024
MIA - Gold - Best in OOH Platforms - Budget under $100,00 - 2024
MIA - Silver - Travel & Tourism - 2024
Applied Arts Illustration and Photography - Take Time - Meetings - Advertising Illustration - Single - 2024
Applied Arts Illustration and Photography - Take Time - Campaign - Advertising Illustration - Series - 2024
Applied Arts Illustration and Photography - Take Time - Campaign - Poster Illustration - Series - 2024
Applied Arts Illustration and Photography - KFC King of Buckets - Conceptual Illustration - Single - 2024
2023
Applied Arts - Young Blood Advertising - KFC King of Buckets - Single // 2023
Applied Arts - KFC King of Buckets - Social - Series - 2023
Sports Clio - KFC King of Buckets - Silver - Out of Home - Billboard - 2023
Applied Arts Student Award - Nespresso Decaffeinato - 2022
2022
Communication Arts Advertising Award - Nespresso Decaffeinato - 2022