Akachi invites us to pause, observe, and revel in the simple joys that often go unnoticed.

At the core of CREATE is the desire to inspire people to do extraordinary things, and the cover art that adorns the 3-pack CREATE Notepads is usually designed to encapsulate that spirit. The illustrator behind these second edition covers, Akachi, has a unique gift for finding beauty in the everyday.

From the early days of crafting alongside her mother to becoming an artist whose work resonates with bold color and subtle softness, Akachi has developed a style that reflects both her environment and her outlook on life. Her art is a reminder that even in the ordinary, there’s magic waiting to be discovered.

We’re thrilled to have collaborated with her on a limited collection of the CREATE notepads featuring illustrations that draw inspiration from the vibrant Nigerian culture. Each design captures the essence of our diverse heritage, celebrating Nature, Art, and the enchanting sounds that surround us.

In our recent chat, Akachi opened up about her creative journey, her influences, and the tools she can’t live without. Here’s what she had to say.

What first got you into illustration? Can you pinpoint a moment in time when you first knew you wanted to be an artist?

Honestly, I can’t pinpoint an exact moment. As a child, I enjoyed doing arts and crafts with my mum. She’s very creative, and we used to do all my art projects together. It’s just something I like and enjoy doing. I like the process of creating and looking at what I’ve made when I’m done. Currently, that’s mostly art and illustrations.

There’s such a lightness to your art. It gives off a sense of softness even while using these bold and vibrant colours. Is that a reflection of your perspective on life?

Hmm… I’ve never really thought about it from that perspective but thinking about it now, that’s somewhat correct. I like bright colours and even though life gets dull sometimes, I see beauty in everyday struggles and I’m mostly a positive person. I like to describe myself as a ray of sunshine and one of my goals in life is to spread as much warmth as possible.

I like bright colours and even though life gets dull sometimes, I see beauty in everyday struggles and I’m mostly a positive person.

Your talent is multifaceted and undeniable, from product design to graphic design and Illustrations. Which of these areas of design comes easiest to you or is your favourite?

Thank you for your kind words… hmm, that “comes easiest?” there’s no such thing lmao. Nothing comes particularly easy. I don’t have a favourite and it’s quite difficult to pick, but presently, product design [digital] is my least favourite. They’re all fascinating ways to create so this is tough.

Art, movies, music… What influences, if any, have contributed to the development of your style over the years?

Hmm, I’d say all of the above, especially art by other women. It hasn’t been that long since I started drawing seriously. I love how Yuni Yoshida includes wit in her work, and how bold and unique Malika Favre’s work is, and I also find Petra Erikkson’s work super inspiring. My mom likes bold colours as well, and I think these women have in one way or another contributed to my style.

Your Instagram feed includes some incredible illustrations of random things. From people to plants, animals, and other objects. Would you say most of your inspiration comes from your environment or your imagination?

I’d say both. When I see something pretty, I’m usually drawn to illustrate it. I like people-watching and observing nature, so usually when I see something I’m drawn to, I want to paint it and interpret it in my way.

Are there things that you absolutely cannot do without as a Designer/Illustrator? You know, things that just make your life easier.

Not to be cliche, but my CREATE notepad lmao. A notebook or something I can write in. It helps to make my thoughts clearer and it’s great for doing rough sketches. I also use it to plan my day. The next thing is My iPad and the Procreate app hehe~