Creative Minds: Masaya Nakade has lived and worked in eight cities across the world | News | Campaign Asia

Name: Masaya Nakade

Origin: Tokyo

Places lived/worked: Tokyo, Madrid, New York, Oaxaca, Moscow, Belfast, Dublin, and London 

Pronouns: No preference 

CV:

Executive creative director, RGA, Japan, 2020-present

Brand consultant, Vinted, Lithuania, 2020


Executive creative director, AKQA, London 2015-2020

Creative director, AKQA, London 2004 -2015

1. How did you end up being a creative?

I can’t really say. I wanted to become an athlete, chef, traveller, writer, artist, filmmaker, designer, and programmer but ended up here.

2. What’s your favourite piece of work in your portfolio? 

I’m torn between ‘Fujitsu’s Carbon Cakes’ and ‘The Battle Cats – Word of (Cat) God’ because I love conceptual and provocative works. The fact that my two most recent projects are also my favourites makes me even happier.

3. What’s the one piece of work you most wish you’d done? 

It’s called ‘Mental Wealth’ for Playstation.

4. What/who are your key creative influences?

Art, technology, travel, food, football and people who have nothing to do with our business.

5. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? 

Vladivostok to Moscow by train in 10 days.

6. Do you work best under pressure, or when things are calm?

I probably need pressure, otherwise, I overthink… which could be a good thing too.

7. Tell us about the worst job you ever had.

I was a security guard for a Michael Jackson concert.

8. What advice would you give to 10-year-old you, if you could? 

Get out of there.

9 . What would you do on your perfect day? 

Nothing. Absolutely, nothing. 

10. What’syourfavourite music or film, TV show of the past year, and why?

Derry Girls. Because it’s funny if you understand what they are saying.

11. What app could you absolutely not live without? What app do you wish you could delete?

I’ve deleted most apps and I wish I could also delete LinkedIn.