Karl Blankley is a conceptual designer based
He partners with brands, agencies and creative teams to craft visually engaging, multi-platform content that blends creativity with technical precision. Versatile and adaptable, he designs for digital and social spaces, creating impactful visuals that capture attention and drive engagement.
→ hello@karl.works
Art direction
Brand experience
Brand identity
Campaign design
Design consulting
Design direction
Digital design
Immersive web
Interface design
Motion design
User experience (UX)
User interface (UI)
Afterpay
Air Canada
Amnesty International
Arsenal FC
Australian Football League
Bang & Olufsen
BP
British Airways
British Army Butlin’s
Cadbury
Carling
Danske Bank
DFDS
Ford
Ford Money
Hakkasan
Honda
HSBC
Ineos
Jaguar Land Rover
Kleinwort Hambros
M&S
Mercedes-Benz
NSPCC
Pandora
Puma
Radisson
Schweppes
Sony
Telstra
Tim Hortons
Unilever
Volvo
AMV BBDO
DDB
DentsuX
Distillery
GTB
Grey
Hi Mum! Said Dad
Holler
JWT
Leo Burnett
McCann
Ogilvy
Poke
Publicis Sapient
Rapp
Saatchi&Saatchi
Spark44
Stink Studios
Super Union
TMW Unlimited
Wunderman
Y&R
Agency: Distillery
Disciplines: Art Direction, Identity, Design
Forget growing old gracefully. When we're being robbed of our basic human rights – it's time to make some noise! Amnesty has teamed up with global non-profits to frame elder abuse as a human rights concern and campaign for with a UN convention (similar to the protections afforded young people)
Our winning pitch ditched the whole "us vs. them" narrative and pious pity for ageing. Whether you’re Eight or eighty, we want everyone to Age Loud and demand a world where human rights last a lifetime. Working for the International Secretariat, we designed the process so the 60+ regional branches had the opportunity to have their say. The work is now being implemented by teams as diverse as Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, and South Korea with many more to follow in year two.
Client: Arsenal FC
Disciplines: Design
For Arsenal FC, the task was to redesign supporter banners that not only capture the immense passion of its global fanbase but also align with the team’s iconic brand. These designs needed to be suitable for large format printing, ensuring visibility and impact across the expansive Emirates Stadium.
In collaboration with Arsenal, I created designs for 187 banners and flags, representing 150 official supporter groups from every continent. The artwork embodies the vibrant enthusiasm of fans worldwide while staying true to Arsenal’s rich heritage. Each banner was meticulously handmade and photographed to capture an authentic, dynamic flag effect, echoing the historic language of football iconography that resonates deeply with both local and international supporters.
Agency: Open Creates
Disciplines: Design, Motion
The Game Safe Festival is our response to the growing need for a safer online environment for the 89% of UK children who play video games amidst increasing online harms. The festival aims to merge enjoyment with safety, addressing the urgent need for protective measures in the gaming world.
In collaboration with Open Creates, I developed a showreel that highlights the Game Safe Festival’s core themes: community, collaboration, and creativity. The storyboard features children of diverse ages, deeply engaged in gaming, capturing the excitement and promoting the festival’s commitment to safety. This engaging visual introduction emphasises the importance of protecting young gamers.
Agency: DentsuX
Disciplines: Art Direction, Design, Motion, Social
An iconic Japanese electronics brand, managed by Sony and in partnership with agency DentsuX, faced the challenge of repurposing extensive above-the-line content for digital and social platforms. The task was to transform existing footage into engaging stories suitable for a global audience across multiple languages.
Collaborating with DentsuX, I spearheaded the creative transformation of traditional media into dynamic social content. My role involved crafting stories from the original footage, presenting these concepts to Sony, and directing the art for various campaigns. Additionally, I contributed directly by creating master templates, ensuring consistency and quality across all digital platforms. This approach not only maximized the reach of the content but also enhanced its impact across diverse global markets.
Client: Fortell.ai
Disciplines: Art Direction, Design, Identity, Product, Motion
Fortell.ai aimed to develop a brand identity for their innovative AI character, designed to communicate across diverse languages and cultural backgrounds. The avatar’s purpose is to engage with underprivileged communities, addressing medical and societal questions and needs.
I crafted a visual identity centred around the concept of two overlapping speech bubbles, symbolising the transparent and collaborative interaction between the avatar and its users. This design choice reflects the seamless integration of diverse voices and perspectives. The overall brand identity was kept clean, simple, and modern, ensuring it was approachable and relatable to all audiences.
Client: DentsuX
Disciplines: Design, Motion, Social
Bip.credit stands out as the only cardless banking app on the market, characterised by a minimalist and sharp brand identity with a select palette of contrasting colours. We were tasked with creating a social campaign that aligned with this distinct style.
We centred our campaign on the simplicity and essential nature of the cardless concept, emphasising how Bip.credit eliminates unnecessary complexities. The creative direction focused on the theme of “you and the card,” pairing this idea with minimalist visuals to highlight the streamlined experience and direct connection between the user and the app.
Client: Grey Social
Disciplines: Art Direction, Identity, Design, Motion, Social
Nokia’s 007 movie social campaign faced delays due to the pandemic, requiring an adaptive approach. With a new premiere date set, we launched real-time social stories featuring Nomi’s mission across various cities, all captured using the Nokia 8.3 5G.
We developed a mini-social-series allowing audiences to follow Nomi’s mission live as she traveled through four cities worldwide. We filmed key scenes with Lashana Lynch in a single day, portraying Nomi, and supplemented these with curated stock footage to complete the narrative. We integrated UI elements from the Nokia phone in scenes where 007 utilised the device, seamlessly blending the campaign with the product’s features.