William Esparza grew up in Pico-Union, Los Angeles, surrounded by murals, music, and movement. The son of Durango and Oaxacan immigrants, he learned early that creativity could be both a language and a form of resistance. By the age of 12, he was already a graffiti artist, leaving his mark across the city.
That instinct carried him from neighborhood walls to global stages. After studying at the Art Center College of Design, Esparza became one of the industry’s most visionary creative minds. His work has shaped defining campaigns for brands like Nike, Levi’s, Ray-Ban, Jordan, and Converse, as well as Apple’s iconic iPod silhouettes, Beats’ viral “Straight Outta” generator, and Pepsi’s Test Drive with Jeff Gordon. Each project carried his signature fusion of artistry and authenticity, cultural storytelling that resonated far beyond advertising.
As the founder of Hyphenated, Esparza channels that same energy into building bridges between brands and multicultural audiences. The agency’s name mirrors his mission: to celebrate people who live in the in-between, who carry multiple identities and move between cultures with ease. To him, the next era of creativity lies in that tension, in the layered, hybrid truth of who we are.
“My wave is rooted in my truth,” he says. “Respect where you come from. Always have a point of view and express it with love and artistry.” For Esparza, chaos isn’t something to avoid but to embrace. It’s in the collisions—between past and future, art and commerce, community and individuality—where the next cultural shift begins.
