Akhilesh Prasad

A seasoned creative and design leader with over 20 years of experience, Akhilesh Prasad is a visionary problem-solver passionate about reinventing design strategies to empower brands. As a multi-disciplined Chief Creative, he believes in leveraging unbridled imagination to build and strengthen prominent, pan-India, and heritage brands through strategic design intervention.

Current Role

Procreate - Creative & Design Director (2007 - Present)

At Procreate, Akhilesh leads and oversees all creative output, ensuring excellence from concept to completion. He specializes in strategic design intervention, whether through brand naming, identity development, visual brand architecture, packaging design, brand communication, or retail design.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Creative Leadership: Drive innovation and creative excellence by leading the design team and closely collaborating with clients to align on brand vision and strategy.
• Strategic Brand Rejuvenation: Successfully rejuvenate and strengthen brands by providing expert direction in brand architecture, branding, naming, product design, retail, and packaging.
• Business Impact: Helped clients build and strengthen their brands profitably, contributing to significant growth for major blue-chip brands.
• Client Collaboration: Managed and exceeded design expectations for a diverse portfolio of national and international clients.

Notable Clients & Brands: Unilever, ITC, Marico, Dabur, Kansai-Nerolac Paints, Sarda Dairy, VVF Doy Care, Mega We Care (Thailand), Ezee brand, Praan Foods, Signature Flatbread (UK), Parle, CavinKare, Zydus Cadila, Pillsbury, McCain, Bridgestone, Hershey’s, UB Group, Henkel, Reliance, Wipro, Shalimar, Reckitt & Benckiser.

Professional Experience

Yellow Brand Design Co. - Sr. Designer & Team Leader (Oct 2005 - May 2007) Managed design projects for large national and international brands. Contributed to new brand conceptions and revitalization of existing product lines, with a focus on branding, packaging design, and retail & corporate identity.

Digit. (Thinkdigit.com) - Sr. Designer / Illustrator (Jul 2005 - Oct 2005) Contributed cover and editorial illustrations for leading national technology publications, including Network Computing, DIGIT Technology Magazine, and Industry 2.0.

Dma Branding, Aliagroup (Dmabranding.com) - Graphic Designer (May 2004 - Oct 2004) Worked on branding, packaging design, retail design, and corporate identity for major brands. Assisted in the creation of visual concepts and layouts from strategy to final production.

Education & Recognition

• MICA | The School of Ideas: Managing Brands & Marketing Communication
• L.S. Raheja Arts School, Mumbai: Major in Illustration
• University of Mumbai: Bachelors in Commerce
• Awards: Jehangir Art Gallery - Illustration for a Public Welfare Ad (Feb 2005); M.E.S. - Painting & Illustration Award
• Publications: Author of "A Guide to Animation"