MonkeesBlood Creative

Even though the bulk of our most recent work was created for different companies within the i-Gaming sector (or e-gaming), we've also had many diverse projects too; each of them demanding slightly different skills to allow MBC to complete the task.

We are of course capable web designers for various platforms and devices but shouldn't be confused with web development code toad types. We offer a purely cosmetic web design service, no coding. We are aware of the most current functionality trends and web front-end technologies such as HTML5, CSS & J-Query, although MBC prefers to focus more so on what we are best at, which is delivering intuitive user experiences; providing clients with visual templates which concentrate on cohesive layout, colour schemes and information flow of the content itself.

We hail from a solid foundation of graphic design and illustration as far as our educational background and work experience goes. To be honest, these days we'd just rather pride ourselves on being multi-disciplined creative professionals and versatile visual communicators.

Whatever the client's visual design requirements might be; whether it's print, web or mobile device based design, GUI wire-framing, logo design, full brand building or brand management, illustration, 2D or 3D character design, posters, online advertising campaigns, flyers, brochures or merchandise (you get the idea, right?) …we're confident that Monkeesblood Creative can meet your creative expectations and provide you with exactly what YOU need.

Between early February 2008 and late August 2012; I was largely responsible for helping to elevate the brand profile of the Betsson sub-brand, CasinoEuro.com for the majority of their 16 European markets.

This was done whilst trying to maintain as much consistency throughout all brand elements relating to the business, including their recently redesigned website, their online/offline promotions & other marketing materials/merchandise.

Main creative duties included: Art Direction for other designers in the creative team & input for the main content team, Design & preparation for new game launches, redesign of the site including the Casino Lobby (focussing on improved user-centered design), Creation of exclusive casino tournament visuals & campaign concepts, Email templates, Email promotional campaigns (acquisition & retention focused), homepage & site promotions, brand development, affiliate marketing such as, printed roll-up banners, landing pages and animated Flash or GIF banners.

This role also included overseeing the creative output for its B2B white label brands.

As well as the task of maintaining these B2B 'skins', I was required to work from start to finish on the challenging (but extremely fun) HarryCasino.com project, which demanded a highly intensive work pace to create a competitive, new UK 'character driven' casino brand and in a matter of weeks.

Other B2B White Labels which I maintained:
EuroCasino.com (Dutch, German & Spanish markets)
SverigeAutomaten.com (Swedish market)
NorgesAutomaten.com (Norwegian market)
DanmarksAutomaten.com (Danish market).

In the early days back in 2008/09 I also had creative responsibility of the original version of CherryCasino.com and also the now inactive Milibet.com, a website which at the time was tailored to target the French online casino marketplace.

Full site redesign & maintenance, including skinning casino & poker download client, bespoke logo design for new sub-brands & white labels, offline promotions & marketing merchandise, digital/animated perimeter boards (as official sponsors for Spur’s - White Hart Lane), landing pages, affiliate banner creation for all products, casino, poker & sportsbook.

An online marketing & web design consultation firm for iGaming operators and also their affiliate programs.
Clients/partners included Bet365, SuperOdds (now part of SportingBet), Stan James, Betfred, WBX, CentreBet, Pinnacle & Ladbrokes.

Work sometimes included brand development, style guidelines, logo design, site promo campaigns, mail shots, eye blasters, direct mailers, email template design, Flash & GIF banner design & landing/splash page design.

A complete bespoke logo & website design service was also offered to other SME clients who qualified for government funding from Business Link & One North East.

This was long before the days where reputable sites such as Behance, Coroflot, CreativePool or FreelanceSwitch existed, sites which greatly assist designers these days in finding regular freelance work.

Even being listed as an accredited 'Service Provider' with Business Link (One North East), it was the rather infrequent workload & subsequent payment for that work which in the end proved far too unstable for me at that time. In hindsight I am glad I tried this brave venture, but happy that I then sought after full-time employment simply for greater financial stability, added security and to push my skill-set even further.

Provided vacation cover for the Senior Web Designer.
Duties included Wire framing, establishing design & site maps for a huge project for the Darlington Building Society. Also email and banner template designs for Newsquest Media Group.

Internet, new media and graphic production agency. Design & maintenance of websites for BBC, Granada Television, Tyne Tees TV, Dynamic Distance Learning (DDL, UK), JP Morgan, & Goldman Sachs Intranet Flash presentations for Europe & Asia.

Web Design/ Logo Design creation for national & regional start-up businesses. Also fought off fierce competition to design an internal logo for BP (Oil & Gas) for their Facilities Management department, along with creating projects for the BP intranet used at their offices in London.

Internet-Multimedia and Graphic production. Movie & Music Posters, HBO & FutureFilm Finland (VHS movie covers), illustration, print & web design.

Learnings here were pivotal in developing my skills & career prospects from a digital/new media perspective. I had a great mentor/art director who thankfully recognised my design & illustration potential from my earlier college portfolio, which led to him offering me my first full-time position as a Graphic Designer.