Yap Weng Yee's winning design is now featured on Parkson's official Deepavali gift bags and angpow packets across Malaysia.

What starts as a design assignment in the classroom can sometimes find its way into the hands of thousands of shoppers. For Yap Weng Yee, a student currently in her third year of the BA (Hons) in Digital Advertising programme, that opportunity has become a reality. 

Yap's original packaging design, created for Parkson Malaysia's Deepavali Design Contest 2026, was selected by the retailer and further refined for production. 

Today, the design features on Parkson Malaysia's official Deepavali festive gift bags and angpow packets, available across all its outlets in Malaysia.

The achievement was part of an exclusive competition for APU students, organised under the Packaging Design module by the School of Media, Arts and Design. 

Bringing together 18 students from the BA (Hons) in Digital Advertising and BA (Hons) in Industrial Design programmes, the challenge invited participants to develop original packaging concepts inspired by Deepavali's rich traditions, colours and festive spirit. 

Guided by Mr. Mohd Idzuan Othman, who was the Programme Leader for BA (Hons) in Digital Advertising at the time, students were given the opportunity to work on a design challenge connected to an established retail brand, putting their creativity and design knowledge into practice. 

Following the judging process, three students were recognised for their submissions:

• First Place: Yap Weng Yee
• Second Place: Felencia Tjandra
• Third Place: Zeyad Zakarya Saeed Ahmed Al-Hammadi
   

When a Classroom Project Reaches the Retail Floor

For Yap, the recognition goes beyond winning a design competition. Having an original concept selected by Parkson Malaysia and developed into an official festive product offers a valuable opportunity to experience how a creative idea can progress from its initial design stage to commercial production.

The collaboration involved Mr. Komarruzaman Abdul, General Manager (Visual Merchandising) at Parkson Malaysia, and gave students an opportunity to gain insight into the expectations and considerations involved in developing packaging for a retail environment. 

Commenting on the value of the collaboration, Debbie Liew, Head of School, School of Media, Arts and Design, said:

"We are proud to partner with Parkson Malaysia on the Deepavali Design Contest 2026, giving our students the opportunity to bring their creative ideas to life on a real-world platform. Collaborations like this allow our students to apply their skills, gain industry exposure and contribute meaningfully to a celebration that embraces culture and creativity. We thank Parkson for recognising the potential of young designers and providing them with the opportunity to make their mark."

Initiatives like this give students a chance to explore their creative abilities while gaining a better understanding of how design works in a professional setting. They also allow students to see how their ideas can serve a practical purpose, connect with consumers and contribute to a brand's products and identity. 

APU congratulates all participating students for their creativity, dedication and hard work. APU also extends its appreciation to Parkson Malaysia for supporting the initiative and giving its students a platform to showcase their talent.

Have You Spotted Our Students' Designs? 

If you are visiting a Parkson outlet this Deepavali season, keep an eye out for the official festive gift bags and angpow packets featuring Yap Weng Yee's winning design. 

The festive angpow promotion is available across all Parkson outlets in Malaysia until 8 November 2026. 

We encourage all APU staff to visit their nearest Parkson outlet, look out for these designs and join us in celebrating our students' creative achievement. 

Let's take pride in seeing APU students' work make its way from the classroom to store shelves!