Karl Oskar Blase studied applied art in Wuppertal from 1945–49. In 1952, he became director of America-Haus graphic arts studio in Bonn. He taught in Kassel and co-founded the Novum group (1958). In 1966, he was appointed professor for art and visual communication at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Kassel. He was co-organizer of the international Documenta exhibition in Kassel (1964, 1968, 1972, 1977) and was responsible for the visual identity and promotion of Documenta 1987. Besides poster work and exhibition planning and display, Blase specializes in postage stamp design, for which he has won many awards. In 1967 he was a member of the design team for the German Pavilion at the Montreal Expo. Since 1988 he has been a member of the advisory council of art for the German Ministry for Telecommunications and since 1992 has been chairman of the board. Karl Oskar Blase is author of various essays about art theory. He lives and works in Kassel.