Who we are
Studio Mansa is a multidisciplinary design studio driven by our passion for early education, literacy, and storytelling. We collaborate with designers, educators, and illustrators to create innovative and purposeful products, spaces, and experiences for children.
Our flagship product, Sutherland is designed to inspire children’s curiosity about the world and different cultures through architecture, design, engineering, fashion, food, and photography. Sutherland’s educational materials and storybooks for children are available in our Design Store.
Vision
A world where every child has access to engaging, purposeful, and sustainable educational experiences that nurture their curiosity and imagination
Core Values
Creativity: We believe in using creativity to design innovative and engaging educational experiences for children
Collaboration: Our collaborations with different stakeholders allow us to continuously explore new mediums while having fun in the process
Sustainability: Our commitment to eco-friendly practices influences every step of our design process, ensuring that our products not only delight but also contribute positively to the world we live in
Corporate Social Responsibility
We believe in the transformative power of reading in children’s lives and are committed to making books accessible. We pledge to donate 10% of our proceeds to procure and supply books to selected libraries in underprivileged areas across Ghana. We are open to partnering with individuals and organisations who share this goal to expand our impact.
Our Founding Story
In 2019 when I was in graduate school, I started the business Aesop Studios, where I curated books and resources for children. I realised that there was a gap in creative Ghanaian and African resources for children. I liaised with a graphic designer/illustrator to create a set of posters including the Letters of the Alphabet, Colours, Fruits & Vegetables, Days of the Week and Months of the Year. This would be the beginning of a fulfilling journey.
I took time off to recalibrate and restructure my business when I realised there was so much more that I could do. Aesop Studios became the multidisciplinary design Studio Mansa, and Sutherland, named after Ghanaian children’s writer, play advocate, playwright, poet, and teacher Efua Theodora Sutherland (1924-1996), was birthed.
Founder and Chief Product Officer
Mansa (Akua Serwaa Amankwah) is a writer and Product Manager who previously managed TrialViu, a clinical trial site enablement platform by ViuHealth, an autoimmune-focused health technology company. She is the founder of Studio Mansa and the creator of Sutherland.
Mansa has an MPhil in English (Literature) from the University of Ghana, Legon, where she taught undergraduate-level courses as a graduate assistant. She has been published in A Mind to Silence, Resilience, and Kenkey for Ewes anthologies.
She won the Inspire Us writing competition in 2019, and the imagining Early Accra competition in 2021.
I like the quiet life sometimes. I also love a bustling press conference sometimes as well.
Let’s Work Together
We advise educational institutions/organisations on curating inclusive and diverse content for children.
Our work transcends beyond stories, we create age-appropriate and functional spaces for children that allow them to play and express their creativity.
We create varied concepts that take your children on an unforgettable adventure.