SYNC x Tseppas Graphic Design Competition – First Place Winner

A vintage icon, reimagined for today. Galala University celebrates Shehab Amr—graduate of the Graphic Design Program—for taking First Place in the SYNC x Tseppas national competition. The brief was deceptively simple: evolve Tseppas’ beloved teddy into a modern bear family that feels fresh on packaging, digital, and in-store—without losing the warmth people grew up with.

What impressed jurors and peers alike was the brand thinking behind the cute: character poses that read at a glance on a shelf, a style that scales from a favicon to a storefront banner, and a color system that keeps legacy tones while introducing a contemporary accent palette. The work balanced nostalgia and novelty—playful enough for kids, confident enough for a century-old brand.

From studio habits to a winning system

• Iterations that tell a story: early sketches → cleaned vectors → micro-tests on mock packaging and social tiles.

• Typography with purpose: rounded forms where it counts, clarity where it sells.

• Family dynamics: each bear with a role (guide, maker, explorer) to expand seasonal campaigns and limited editions.

• Real-world readiness: consistent line weight, accessible contrasts, and motion-friendly forms for short video loops.

This win spotlights the Faculty of Art & Design’s approach: critique-driven practice, evidence of use (not just pretty boards), and an eye on the client’s constraints. It also shows how student work travels—classroom craft meeting a national brand through an industry challenge.

Beyond the trophy, Shehab’s project is a proof point for GU’s creative pipeline: graduates who can listen to heritage, design for systems, and collaborate with partners at scale. It’s also a neat case of SDGs in the background—sdg4 through quality, skills-based education; sdg8 via creative-economy jobs; sdg9 in design-led innovation; and sdg17 through university–industry collaboration that gives students a real brief and a real audience.