As part of a creative duo, both Akwasi and his partner Abdou Cisse have worked at Wieden+Kennedy since last year, having made the jump from R/GA, where they filled more traditional copywriting and art directing roles. A team for the past four years, Akwasi describes how they came together, and why working with a friend is so conducive to dreaming up good ideas.

Their work has seen them create for brands such as Nike, Google and Sainsbury’s (including on the recent Christmas campaign), and has even helped projects win awards from the likes of D&AD and Creative Review.

Akwasi started out with work placements that took him from editorial to broadcasting; gaining experience at both Channel 4 and the BBC. Going on to study the Editing, Post-Production and VFX degree at Ravensbourne, he maintained freelance work with companies such as The Mill throughout his studies, setting him up with a wealth of contacts by the time he graduated in 2012.

To date Akwasi has amassed a truly varied CV that includes roles ranging from a flame assistant to a stint in PR. He tells us how he’s created his own opportunities along the way, the value of drawing from your own interests and experiences, and why resilience and persistence are your greatest assets as a creative. “Keep going; the second you give up is when your journey stops,” he shares, “What you’ll realise is that even in bad moments you’re learning so much.”