Jada Akoto’s design practice explores the intersection of pop culture and the African diaspora

If the designer Jada Akoto had to pick the most memorable creative outlet of her childhood, it would have to be collaging. Now, it’s a methodology that informs the ethos of her work. “I loved configuring found images and colours to create whatever I wanted,” she explains. With stock images, free online archives and Photoshop – her “favourite tool” – Jada creatively “fabricates” the world she wishes to see.

Originally from Memphis and now based in LA, Jada explains that her work “sits on the intersection of pop culture media and the African diaspora”. Jada sources inspiration from a wide range of figures – the writers Zeba Blay and Saidiya Hartman, to name a few. But, Jada tells us, “most of my creative influence comes from watching so much content and then thinking too much about things like reality television, K-Pop and social media platforms”. Perusing her portfolio, you’ll find a publication focusing on the Black women in reality television, and a vintage playable PC video game parody humorously looking at the perils of modern dating.