Galala University proudly presented The Shift | From Classroom to Creative Industry, a long-term initiative launched by the Graphic Design Program at the College of Art and Design. The initiative was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry practice in graphic design, visual arts, advertising, and the creative industries.
Initiated in official collaboration with Big Bang Agency, The Shift provided students with direct exposure to professional workflows through real briefs, real tools, and real feedback from industry practitioners actively working in the creative field. The initiative reflected Galala University’s commitment to preparing graduates who are ready to meet market demands with confidence and practical experience.
The name “The Shift” represented a fundamental change in how students learned and prepared for their careers. Moving beyond theory, students experienced an agency-like environment where they collaborated in teams, worked under real deadlines, integrated artificial intelligence tools into creative processes, and began building portfolios aligned with professional industry standards.
The first milestone of The Shift included two key activities:
GU Talk – 2 December
An interactive conversation was led by Galala University’s academic staff and moderated by an industry professional. The session opened direct dialogue between academic knowledge and market needs, giving students the opportunity to ask questions, exchange ideas, and gain deeper insight into how the art, design, and graphic design industries operate.
Intensive AI Bootcamp – 8 & 9 December
A two-day, hands-on Bootcamp powered by Big Bang Agency focused on the practical application of artificial intelligence in graphic design, visual arts, and advertising. During the Bootcamp, students:
Worked on real-style creative tasks and branding challenges
Explored AI tools for ideation, visual creation, and portfolio development
Received direct feedback and evaluation from industry experts
Took the first steps toward building professional, market-ready portfolios
The Shift was not a one-time event, but an ongoing platform that included talks, bootcamps, creative weeks, internships, competitions, field visits, and portfolio development support. All activities were designed to help students transition smoothly and confidently from the classroom to the creative industry.
This was where the journey started.
This was The Shift.
