35+ years of judgment
Brand, design and communications expertise, including more than two decades leading independent creative businesses.
Kartik Sankar · Fractional Brand & Creative Director
Senior brand leadership, without the full-time overhead.
Fractional brand and creative direction for growth-stage companies: 35+ years of judgment and more than two decades leading independent creative businesses.
Flexible 10–20 hour monthly retainers
Why work with me
Over three decades of proven expertise.
I have spent 35+ years in branding, design and communications, including founding and personally running Black Magic Design and KICKASS DESIGN for the past 22 years.
Experience across industries
Technology, fintech, heritage brands, D2C, FMCG, education, realty, pharma, manufacturing and more.
Senior thinking, hands-on involvement
From critical brand decisions to execution oversight when the engagement requires it.
Leadership without the overhead
Senior creative direction without recruitment costs, lengthy onboarding or a long-term commitment.
How I work
A senior partner on retainer, not a project quote.
Typically 10–20 hours a month, with a clear scope, regular access and no lengthy lock-in.
We scope the engagement
A short call reveals where brand decisions are stuck and where senior direction will make the greatest difference.
We agree a monthly retainer
A fixed number of hours, a defined cadence and clear priorities, reviewed regularly as the business evolves.
I become the brand’s senior voice
Reviewing work, setting direction and ensuring strategic decisions translate into consistent execution.
Case studies
Recent decisions, not just deliverables.
A sample of the brand and creative direction I have led.
Technology / SaaS / AI
One senior brand voice across continuous marcom.
Ongoing brand and communications direction for a growing B2B technology products, solutions and services business.
Heritage brand
Modern relevance without losing hard-earned equity.
Brand identity refresh and new packaging design architecture and direction for a century-old brand engaging with its next generation of consumers.
Apparel / D2C
Branding and Gen-Z-inspired apparel designs
Brand building, apparel design, drop-shipment integration, e-commerce store and digital marketing for a streetwear apparel brand aimed at Gen-Zs.
Creative direction + Delivery
When required, I take it all the way to finished execution.
Having led creative engagements for more than two decades at Black Magic Design and KICKASS DESIGN, I bring the execution experience to turn strategic decisions into finished work – working with my team or guiding yours, depending on the scope.
Who I work with
Any industry – if the brand decision matters.
The underlying challenge is often the same: business growth has moved faster than brand clarity. I bring an outside perspective and senior accountability to close that gap.
FAQ
Common questions.
Ongoing, senior-level involvement on a part-time basis – typically a set number of hours each month – rather than a full-time hire or a single project.
Most engagements run 10–20 hours a month, scoped to your priorities and reviewed regularly.
Direction and review are central to the retainer. Hands-on execution can also be included – personally or through a small trusted team – when it is part of the agreed scope.
Yes. The model works well for remote international clients as well as India-based businesses.
You get one senior, consistent point of accountability – not a rotating account team – with KICKASS DESIGN available as the execution platform when required.
Start a conversation
Book an intro call
Let's see if this is a fit.
A 20-minute call is enough to know whether fractional brand direction solves the problem you are actually having.