I am Sevilay Kaya, an independent graphic designer and illustrator creating as Blufauna from the creative heart of Bristol, UK.
I shape bold visual identities, publication systems, public murals, and illustrated goods for community and cultural spaces, bringing together formal graphic design training with user research.
Vocational qualification in Graphics & Photography (256h), covering typography, modular layout systems, and pre-press print production alongside hand-drawn illustration.
Collaborations with Bristol Beacon, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, Bristol Refugee Festival, and grassroots initiatives on visual campaigns and public murals.
Google UX Design Professional Specialisation (2026), applying user research, wireframing, and structured information design to create clear digital experiences.
Curious about the story behind the work and the transition to Bristol's creative scene?
Satisfied Clients
Client Satisfaction
Years of Experience
Multi-volume publication systems, community climate action plans, annual reports, accessible typography, and pre-press print production.
Distinctive logomarks, typography palettes, and versatile brand identity toolkits crafted for cultural festivals and community initiatives.
Large-scale community wall murals, environmental awareness installations, and collaborative public realm art interventions.
Festival campaign posters, print flyers, and social media suites paired with original illustrated stationery and artisan goods.
Brand 
A community-curated visual campaign celebrating unity, solidarity, and cultural diversity in Bristol.
Digital A responsive web & mobile invoicing experience designed for freelancers and small-business owners to create invoices quickly, understand payment status at a glance, and manage billing with less administrative stress.
Campaign A dynamic, multi-format arts campaign celebrating diaspora cultures, movement, and music across 39 Bristol venues.
Digital A multi-episode visual identity and cover system amplifying stories, lived wisdom, and global cultural perspectives.
Editorial Multi-volume editorial publication design transforming complex climate research into accessible community roadmaps.
Editorial Two consecutive years of comprehensive impact evaluation reports transforming festival statistics, consultation surveys, and community stories into accessible, human-centred publications.
Brand A high-energy festival visual identity celebrating sanctuary, community resilience, and cultural performance across Bristol.
Brand A celebratory visual campaign for Bristol Refugee Festival 2023, centring around the theme of Compassion.
Mural A large-scale environmental welcome mural transforming a nursery corridor into an imaginative, nature-filled learning space.
Editorial An accessible, data-rich infographic transforming public health consultation findings into clear community knowledge.
Editorial A reflective, layered exhibition poster identity exploring human connection, empathy, and shared cultural perspectives.
Product An award-winning collection of illustrated stationery, greetings cards, daily desk notepads, and art prints inspired by nature and daily rituals.
Operating as Blufauna based in Bristol, I have been actively practicing as an independent freelance graphic designer and illustrator in the UK since 2022.
All of my client collaborations, visual campaigns, publications, and illustrated goods have been created and delivered as Blufauna since 2022, partnering with cultural institutions, environmental partnerships, university researchers, and grassroots community groups.
Google Certified UX Designer (2026) A glimpse into the tangible public presence of Blufauna's work, from major civic venues and festivals to community murals and craft markets.
Print Poster Showcase Standing in front of the Bristol Beacon display window showcasing the printed "Be Kind Bristol" campaign poster for the community premiere.
Festival Campaign Presenting the "Celebrating Sanctuary" poster at Queen Square during the Bristol Refugee Festival (2023-2026).
Editorial Layout & Large Print Posing with the large-scale "Inclusive and Sustainable Transport Vision for Bristol" board exhibited at SPARKS Bristol. The client provided the illustrated assets; I crafted the comprehensive editorial layout design, narrative hierarchy, and pre-press production for large-scale physical print.
Civic Recognition & Culture During the 2024 Culture Festival at SPARKS Bristol, the Lord Mayor of Bristol visited the festival and stopped by the Blufauna stand to explore my illustrated stationery and products, where we captured this memorable photo together.
Illustrated Products & Print Displaying the complete range of Blufauna illustrated greeting cards, bookmarks, art prints, and handcrafted tufted textiles.
Collaborative Mural Art On the ladder painting the collaborative outdoor wall mural created for ACH (Ashley Community Housing) to raise awareness about climate change, completed in collaboration with 5 local artists.
Independent design and illustration practice delivering end-to-end creative solutions across Bristol and the UK.
Bristol, UK
Lead Visual Identity & Campaign Design
Created the comprehensive visual identity and campaign design for "Be Kind Bristol" at Bristol Beacon. Designed the primary event posters (exhibited in print in the Bristol Beacon window showcase), printed flyers, postcards, and digital promotional assets for the community celebration.
Bristol, UK
Editorial & Information Designer
Designed a multi-volume editorial publication series supporting community-led climate action across Bristol. Developed complete publication layouts from cover to final page spread for the Insight Reports Series (Climate & Creativity, Community Leadership, Capacity Building, and Redcatch Disability Commission) as well as the Community Climate Action (CCA) Plans across consecutive years (2024-2025). Crafted modular grid systems, accessible typography, infographic charts, and demographic data visualisations. Additionally, executed the editorial layout, visual hierarchy, and pre-press print production for the large-scale "Inclusive and Sustainable Transport Vision for Bristol" exhibition board displayed at SPARKS Bristol (using client-supplied illustration assets).
Queen Square & Bristol Citywide
Festival Campaign Visual Identity, Print & Digital Design
Designing the comprehensive visual campaign for the Bristol Refugee Festival across 2023-2026, tailored to each year’s festival themes. Designing full suites of large-format posters, flyers, event programmes, Queen Square stage banners, and digital social media assets for the citywide "Celebrating Sanctuary" festivities. (Selected editions featured in online portfolio).
Bristol, UK
Research Visual Communication & Posters
Translated complex community health consultation data into clear, engaging, and culturally accessible visual summaries and research posters aimed at bridging public health dialogue with diverse communities.
Bristol & South West, UK
Festival Visual Campaign Designer
Designing the multi-format visual campaign for DIASPORA! 2026, celebrating cultural diversity, movement, and performance across 39 Bristol venues.
Bristol, UK
Collaborative Mural Artist
Co-created an outdoor community wall mural for ACH to raise public awareness around climate change and environmental justice, painted in collaboration with 5 local artists.
Bristol, UK
Exhibition Graphic Designer
Created cohesive visual identity materials and promotional posters for the "Compassion & Belonging" research exhibition exploring community connection and social empathy.
Bristol & UK-wide
Brand Founder, Illustrator & Craft Maker
Founded and launched an independent product line of illustrated stationery, greeting cards, bookmarks, and handmade tufted art. Awarded 2nd Place in the Changes Bristol charity greeting card competition. Showcased at the SPARKS Culture Festival 2024 with a personal visit and recognition by the Lord Mayor of Bristol.
A unique multidisciplinary journey combining a formal law degree, accredited vocational graphics and photography qualification, Google UX design specialisation, and digital strategy.
Istanbul University, Faculty of Law
Graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Law (2011-2015). While working as a practicing lawyer, discovered a profound passion for visual communication, layout, and creative problem-solving, sparking the decision to pivot decisively into graphic design and pursue formal design education.
Key Competencies & Focus Areas:
Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education
Formal, accredited qualification providing a solid foundation in graphic design theory, technical photography, typography, print production, and colour science.
Key Competencies & Focus Areas:
Google Career Certificates / Coursera
Verify Rigorous foundation in human-centred research, user journey mapping, design systems, usability testing, and interactive prototyping in Figma.
Key Competencies & Focus Areas:
HubSpot Academy
Strategic competence in brand positioning, content planning, multi-channel storytelling, and building authentic connections with audiences.
Key Competencies & Focus Areas:
From legal-grade analytical rigor and publication layout systems to community co-design, large-format murals, and production-ready print artwork.
Primary Tools & Creative Mediums:
Direct references and project feedback from long-term collaborators across city environmental networks, major cultural institutions, and community initiatives.
“Sevilay’s clear and accessible design has been key to communicating our Community Climate Action Plans effectively. She is reliable, proactive, and takes her work seriously. She consistently meets deadlines and her dedication makes her a valued partner in our projects.”
Senior Coordinator: Community Climate Action
Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership
“Her attention to detail and thoughtful design have been valuable to our communications, demonstrating her creative approach and ability to deliver professional work on time. She is a reliable and skilled professional, and I look forward to working with her in the future.”
CEO and Founding Director
Bristol Refugee Festival CIC
“Thanks for all your work on this Sevilay, it’s been an absolute pleasure working with you. You’ve been very responsive and understanding given all the changes to the schedule. I’m so grateful to you.”
Marketing Manager
Bristol Beacon
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