When I hit 30 (which was a year or 2 ago if my Maths is right lol) I thought deeply about what I wanted the next 10 years of my creative journey to be about. After a lot of reflection, conversations and observations, it’s very interesting that it has taken me about 2years to really narrow down on what I truly want to focus on. I want to share a bit about the three pillars that have become central to my journey: creative leadership, design mentorship and community building. These aren’t just buzzwords for me; they’re the core of how I have always approached my work and life.
Over the past 12 years (yeah I have been doing this for a while), my journey as a designer and creative director has taken me across industries, continents, and disciplines. From working with Ghanaian brands like Perbi Cubs, IT Consortium, Ashesi’s Education Collaborative and many others to global brands like JLL, AU, GitLab, and Indeed to leading creative teams and organizing conferences like dEX Artmosphere (now dEX Design Conference), I’ve experienced firsthand how creativity can transform businesses, communities and individuals. I’m a testament to that. Through it all, three things have stood out to me as the core of my work—creative leadership, design mentorship and community building. These pillars are not just professional focuses; they are personal commitments to shaping the Ghanaian and African creative industry for the better. Let me tell you why these three areas matter to me and why they will be the foundation of my work going forward.
Creative Leadership: Empowering Teams to Do Their Best Work
Leadership in the creative industry is about more than giving direction; it’s about creating the conditions for creativity to thrive. I have mentioned it several times and even in past posts that there were not a lot of Ghanaian and African creatives to look up to when I was starting 12 years ago. There wasn’t a lot of information apart from people like Chris Do. I think that needs to change. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead and collaborate with diverse creative teams—from guiding creative strategy through ThirdLaw over the past couple of years to managing remote production studios with Meaningful Gigs as a Creative Director. Working with brands like GitLab, Indeed and Restoration Hardware has taught me a lot and pushed me out of my comfort zone as a creative leader.
What I’ve learned is this: great creative work doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires an environment where designers feel empowered, supported and most importantly challenged. My focus on creative leadership is about creating and fostering that environment and helping other creative leaders do same. To me, this means understanding and developing processes that enable clarity, encouraging collaboration and helping creatives deliver their best work without losing their unique voice.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been seeing the impact of thoughtful leadership. I believe that when we lead with intention, we create space for others to excel. My goal is to continue learning and refining how I lead and to share those lessons with others navigating similar paths.
Design Mentorship: Sharing What I’ve Learned
I didn’t get here alone. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and colleagues (shoutout to Artminded) who challenged my thinking and helped open doors to new opportunities. Those experiences shaped how I approach my work and my desire to give back.
I have realized that Design mentorship, to me, is about more than sharing technical skills—it’s about helping others navigate the complexities of a creative career. This has been very evident in the designers I mentored in my ‘Ninety3’ days. Every one of them is a successful designer now doing well for themselves. Whether through formal programs or informal conversations, I am committed to supporting the next generation of designers as they find their footing. I want to continue creating spaces where mentorship is accessible. I personally believe that when we invest in others, we elevate the entire creative industry. I’ll probably be launching another mentorship programme soon so watch out.
Community Building: Strengthening the Creative Ecosystem
Community has always been at the heart of what I do. It’s the reason dEXGhana was born. I’ve seen how powerful it is when creatives come together to share, learn, and grow. In an industry where isolation can be common (too common), having a community offers connection and support. It mostly helps you know that you’re not the only one dealing with something. I’m passionate about building ecosystems where creatives feel seen and valued and I hope we can do more with dEXGhana beyond just a conference (I am open to ideas from anyone). I think community building isn’t just about events—it’s about sustaining relationships and creating structures that allow creativity to flourish long after the event is over. I think of creating platforms for dialogue, organizing experiences that foster collaboration and supporting initiatives that push African creativity forward. Grab your ticket to the next dEXGhana event.
As I move forward, I’m committed to strengthening creative communities, both locally and globally and using my platform to amplify the voices of others.
Looking Ahead
Creative leadership, design mentorship, and community building are more than professional pursuits—they are personal missions. They reflect my belief that creativity has the power to shape narratives, solve problems, and connect us in meaningful ways. Yeah, they may sound like buzzwords but there’s a lot of evidence to this.
Through this blog and my work at dEX Ghana, ThirdLaw and Meaningful Gigs, I’ll continue sharing insights, experiences, and practical resources for creatives who want to grow and lead. My hope is that by focusing on these three pillars, I can contribute to a future where creativity is not just valued but celebrated as a force for change. I know it has changed a lot of people for good. You know I write my blogs like I’m having a conversation with someone sitting in front of me. Enjoy!
If you’re on a similar path or have questions, leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
