Book Design and Content Creation with Abe Akanbi

Breaking Into Publishing: Book Design and Content Creation with Abe Akanbi & Career Advice

A FOTW Publishing Academy Online Event

Join the academy here to attend this event for free!

Interested in a career as a book designer or digital content creator?

How do you work to a creative brief - and how might academic and trade book publishing differ?

Join us for an insightful online session with Abe Akanbi, Content Producer and Design Coordinator at Manchester University Press as he pulls back the curtain on how to get a role in book design today and what a day in the life could look like.

Whether you're a career changer, a recent graduate or still figuring out your path as a freelancer, this event is designed to open your eyes to the full breadth of opportunities publishing has to offer.

Free to attend for Academy members/sign up as a one off event.

About the speaker:

Abe Akanbi is a Content Producer and Design Coordinator at Manchester University Press, where he leads on video production, digital content, and creative design across academic and trade publishing.

With over nine years of experience in the industry, Abe has evolved from a Design Assistant into a multidisciplinary creative, working across book cover design, catalogue production, video editing, author content, and digital campaigns. His work focuses on making publishing more accessible, engaging, and relevant to modern audiences.

Alongside his role in publishing, Abe is the founder of Beneworks, a purpose-driven streetwear brand, and an active content creator sharing insights on brand-building, creative discipline, and navigating non-traditional career paths. Through his content, he documents his journey and offers practical advice to aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs looking to build their own path.

His work sits at the intersection of publishing, content creation, and modern storytelling — helping bridge the gap between traditional industries and the next generation of talent.