Portfolio| Employment| Voluntary| Interviews| Blog| About| Contact| Download Matt Blank's CV CV| Top
I aim to impress you with my websites, flash banners,
videos, advertorials, emags and magic.

Alright, I lied about the magic.

latest blog entries

December 15th 2011
The Grinch Reimagined The Grinch Reimagined
November 16th 2011
Media Interest Surfaces Again Media Interest Surfaces Again

portfolio

I currently create high-quality designs for AOL, leading UI Design for AOL Search (Europe) and producing rich graphics and designs across AOL sites including The Huffington Post. For more details click here.

  • Michael Jackson World Network (MJWN)
  • Respect La Diva
  • AOL Search
  • Royal Wedding
  • Captured Moments
  • Thriller Live
  • Rupert And The Frog Song
  • Radio Northwick Park
  • Hot Searches
  • Musonic
  • Write Into Gear
  • Social Network Buzz (SNBZ)
  • Family Guy
  • Canon Camera
  • Olympus Camera
  • VW Scirocco
  • Banjo Kazooie
  • Alone In The Dark
  • Jumper
  • Alfa Romeo MiTo
  • Extreme Ford Smax
  • AOL Toolbar
  • AOL Search
  • AOL Search

Some of the big brands I've designed for...

Top Brands

employment history

Click on each job to read a brief description.

AOL 2010 - Present: UI Designer, AOL

For my first 20 months I led UI Design for AOL Search (Europe), spearheading teams in the development and implementation of high-quality, interactive user interface design solutions, including site layouts, site maps, navigation design, content inventories and information organisation models. I was accountable for the overall search UI, blogs, widgets, flash, mobile apps and microsites, among which I created the AOL Royal Wedding website and End Of Year Hot Searches microsite. The latter was reported on by many news organisations and earned me an internal award.

After this time I joined the Media team as a designer, providing rich graphics and designs across many of the AOL sites including The Huffington Post. I have also taken on a voluntary position within the company of Cultural Ambassador, playing an important role in the recruitment process.

Dennis Publishing 2007 - 2010: Senior Web & Flash Designer, Dennis Publishing

Worked on websites for their high profile magazines including Maxim, Men's Fitness, PC Pro, and Auto Express. I designed and developed microsites, custom channels, html newsletters and flash promos (mpu's etc...). I also created full page flash animation for their e-mags, designing for companies including 20th Century Fox, Sony Computer Entertainment, Nintendo, Warner Bros, Alfa Romeo, Coke, Disney, Shell, British Airways, Canon, Volkswagon, Sony Ericsson, Fosters, Lynx, Timberland and Ford among 30 other blue chip brands.

AKQA 2006 - 2007: Web Producer, AKQA

Working for digital design agency AKQA in Central London, I was part of a small team who maintained all of Microsoft's Xbox European sites. I created graphics, edited flash and designed layouts for various sections. I was also the Lead Producer for the Nike Plus website, which promoted the collaboration between the famous sports brand and Apple’s iTunes.

Freelance Web Design 2001 - Present: Freelance Web Designer

I have designed, built and maintained many websites for various companies including music specialists, an architect practice and West End musicals. I have successfully set up e-commerce websites and helped companies effectively increase their revenue and secure significant contracts through their online presence. I have good SEO skills. For examples of my work see my portfolio.

Sony PlayStation 2004 - 2006: Product Specialist, Sony Computer Entertainment

I offered technical advice to consumers and staff as well as monitored agents on the PlayStation® Careline to help provide a better service to their customers. I also presented new procedures and product knowledge to staff, as well as dealt with escalated queries regarding complicated technical issues or queries about the policies of Sony Computer Entertainment and their products.

Actor 2003 - 2004: Actor

I performed in various theatre and television productions including tours around England, hosted documentaries for TV and Radio and performed in adverts. I have also been involved in voice over and production work.

voluntary work

Matt Blank on Radio Northwick Park

radio northwick park

I am Chairman of a 40 year old charity called Radio Northwick Park. I've been a member of the organisation since 1999 and visit patients in hospital on a weekly basis, sometimes providing the only company they get, especially the elderly who are often fragile, lonely and confused by their surroundings. As a trustee I'm also in charge of the day to day running of the charity and I present a weekly show, which can be heard live online every Thursday at 8pm. For more details about my responsibilities download my CV.


Matt Blank on BBC News

michael jackson world network

Since 2000 I have helped run and I'm the Spokesman for Michael Jackson's UK Fan Club. As well as producing the website, which at its peak gained 8 million hits in a month, I regularly liaise with Sony Music and the Michael Jackson Estate. I have also written articles for magazines and as part of my regular dealings with the media I often appear on national TV and Radio, including BBC News, Sky News, CNN, ITV, BBC Radio 2, LBC, 5 Live, TalkSport and various other local radio stations around the UK. I've also given interviews to papers and magazines such as The Guardian, The Times, The Sun, London Evening Standard, OK Magazine, Now Magazine and Associated Press. In 2011 I was quoted on BBC’s popular programme 'Have I Got News For You'.

interviews

Being intrugied by the person rather than the personality, I track down interviewees who are not so well known, but their characters are. Here's a few of a them.

Nancy CartwrightNancy Cartwright
The voice behind cartoon bad boy Bart Simpson.
Sir Cliff RichardSir Cliff Richard
Britain's biggest selling popstar of the 20th Century.
Larry KenneyLarry Kenney
The heroic voice of Lion-O from Thundercats.
Sir Bruce ForsythSir Bruce Forsyth
British award-winning showman and entertainer.
Dennis HaskinsDennis Haskins
Played the loving Mr. Belding on Saved By The Bell.
Matt FrewerMatt Frewer
Was the stuttering 80s icon Max Headroom.
Roy SkeltonRoy Skelton
The creative voice of Zippy from Rainbow.
Uri GellerUri Geller
Psychic and the master of spoon bending.
Timmy MallettTimmy Mallett
The eccentric Wacaday childrens TV presenter.
Michael NinnMichael Ninn
Revolutionary award-winning adult film director.

blog

To see all blog entries click here

Spice Up Your Facebook Timeline

Sunday, January 15th 2012

Spice Up Your Facebook Timeline

Be creative with how you make your Facebook timeline look by interacting your profile picture with the cover picture. Here’s a tutorial with PSD to help you.

The Grinch Reimagined

Thursday, December 15th 2011

The Grinch Reimagined

I thought I’d make the most of this festive time to have some Photoshop fun with something quite seasonal. So I’ve mashed a photo of my friend and the Grinch.

AOL’s Hot Searches 2011 Review

Thursday, December 1st 2011

AOL’s Hot Searches 2011 Review

A site I designed and created for AOL, taking a look at the biggest searches of 2011, has launched and gained media attention and an internal award for myself.

Media Interest Surfaces Again

Wednesday, November 16th 2011

Media Interest Surfaces Again

Last week I appeared on many TV and Radio shows to talk about the verdict in the case against Conrad Murray, in relation to the death of Michael Jackson.

Rehoming A Rescue Dog

Saturday, October 1st 2011

Rehoming A Rescue Dog

This week I rehomed a rescue dog from Battersea Dogs Home. My new 2 and a half year old Labrador, Tillie, is wonderful and I urge you to get a rescue dog too.

Video Documentary And Speech

Monday, September 12th 2011

Video Documentary And Speech

The charity I’m Chairman of celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a gala dinner at the weekend. I opened the night with a speech and a video documentary.

Matt Blank

about me

Raised next to a farm in London (it's the truth!) and heir to the proud parents Michelle & Stephen*.

Trained as an actor at the Paul McCartney Fame School (LIPA) but soon gave up gaslights and greasepaint for the lure of the world of websites and widgets etc... and the opportunity to use my creativity to achieve fame and fortune not on the silver screen but on the computer screen with an audience of millions.

* they prefer to be called Mr & Mrs. Blank

contact

Flatter me by filling out this form.
You could even call me on 07779 710226.