ELMA A THACKRAY
I’m an award-winning Art Director and Designer, passionate about brand strategy, innovation, and visual storytelling. With extensive experience, I’ve helped brands in lifestyle, sport, entertainment, travel, and finance craft compelling identities across print, digital, social media, video, and events.
I’ve worked in publishing, advertising, and media, from Dorling Kindersley to Channel 4, to leading high-profile government event designs. I rebranded a 134-year-old music magazine, and as Head of Design at The Telegraph, I led award-winning campaigns and introduced industry-first innovations, including the first responsive AMP story, recognised by Google.
I thrive on bringing ideas to life—from brand creation to reimagining identities—always blending strategy with creativity. Beyond design, I love to explore new mediums of creativity and techniques, using clay, paper constructions, and illustration.
If you're looking for an Art Director passionate about creative design, let's connect and see how we can collaborate.

Clients I have worked with:
News UK / What On Earth! magazine / The Independent / Barclays / British Heart Foundation / Cancer Research UK / Caudalie / Channel 5 / Clarins / Decca Records / Disney / Fenwick / Geberit / Grundig / HSBC / Investec / Jaguar / Jet2Holidays / John Lewis / Jupiter / Kelly's Ice Cream / Liontrust / Mastercard / Aldi / Nature Valley / Royal London / Samsung Knox / SAP / Skoda / Viking / Visit Denmark / Visit Guernsey / Warner Bros / Yorkshire Bank / Invesco Perpetual / Yorkshire Bank / Amazon / Audley / Cupra Fleet / Vodafone / IBM Watson / BritishAirways / Braun / Bottega Veneta / StudioCanal / eOne Entertainment
Services
Brand Identity and Development
Digital Design
Print Design
Event Design
Book Design
Concept Design
Art Direction
Illustration and Illustration Commissioning
Creative Leadership
"Elma is bold in her creative approach and fearless when taking on complex projects"
Awards and Accolades
ITV Ident
#ITVKidsCollaboration, 2021
Content Studio of the Year
Spark Campaign Publishing Awards 2020
Business Event of the Year 
SAP Campaign Publishing Awards 2020
Digital First-Ever: Responsive AMP story
Visit Guernsey
Google AMP Conf 2019 (Japan)
Publishing First-Ever: Embedded videos and sound 
Bottega Veneta, AMP story, 2019
The Chair Award
Skoda UK Telegraph Women's Sport
Newsworks Planning Awards 2019
Best Creative Content Partnership
Skoda UK Telegraph Women's Sport
Newsworks Planning Awards 2019
Best Topical Campaign
Skoda UK Telegraph Women's Sport
Newsworks Planning Awards 2019​​​​​​​
Ad of the Week 
Skoda, Newsworks.com 2018
Ad of the Day
Closing the gender gap in cycling
Newsweek, June 2018 
Winner, Online Services category
Samsung Knox and The Telegraph
Campaign Media Awards 2018
#Top 25 Art editor
Creativepool.com, 2016-2017
Are Design Graduates Motivated By Success, Passion or Money?
Creative Review, May 2008 issue
The Richard and Judy Show Christmas book collection
Earth: A Visitors Guide, The Penguin Group (UK), May 2008
Contact me
Interested in working together? I'd love to hear from you. 
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