Ben the Illustrator
Ben draws
cover versions
Illustration! collaboration! progression!
Who am I? I’m Ben; illustrator and creative-obsessive. I was raised by nature and music; forest walks and records, I learnt about heart from Nina Simone and art from David Bowie. I believe air should be fresh and outlooks should be creative. I think culture is as good for you as any nutrition or exercise. I have a very sweet-tooth.
I am optimistic, I believe everyone can find their purpose and I’m happy to help that happen. I love talking about brands, from Adidas and Apple to the brand you’re dreaming of starting. I think collaboration creates beautiful moments, a punk DIY approach will make the individual stronger. My favourite word is freestyle.
I drink coffee and wear t-shirts, usually both black. My illustration work is more colourful than me. I consider illustration to be art that serves a function. Illustration is a powerful tool in storytelling, sharing messages, tackling difficult subjects and making the unseen, seen. I like to create illustration that does good things.
I live in a small, independent town in Somerset UK but work with clients worldwide, I’ve recently worked with Wavy Wonders (a start-up in Copenhagen), The Old Vic (a theatre in London) and Girl Scouts USA (the girl scouts, in the USA). As you can see above this website contains my two illustration portfolios and a music-lovers print store.
If you’d like to work with me on anything then get in touch.
ME? REALLY?
“WHAT DISTINGUISHES BEN'S WORK FROM COUNTLESS OTHER FLAT VECTOR GRAPHICS IS THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN HIS TRINITY OF SHAPE, COLOR AND FORM - STRAIGHT LINES AND CURVES INTERSECT AND OVERLAP TO CREATE A CLARITY AND DEPTH, ACCENTUATED BY THE ODD BRUSH SPATTER. NOTHING GETS LOST IN TRANSLATION.”
~ Steven Heller and Julius Wiedemann : Writing in the Taschen book ‘The Illustrator’
“A LIFESTYLE, PERFECTLY CRAFTED”
~ Angela Dunning : Judge awarding the illustration category winner in the Creativepool.com Awards.
“BEN THE ILLUSTRATOR” HAS A UNIQUE STYLE, DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM PEERS SUCH AS JAPAN’S TAKASHI MURAKAMI AND LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY GRAFFITI ARTISTS. HE COMBINES THIS WITH THE ENERGY OF EDGIER CONTEMPORARY MUSIC, AND WE BEGIN TO SEE THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW URBAN HYBRID STYLE WHICH MAY DEFINE THE VISUAL EXPRESSION OF TODAY.”
~ Matt Mattus : Hasbro designer, writing in the book ‘Beyond Trend’ (HOW Books).
“It is rare that you find a creative who works so incredibly hard, takes risks and is also generous with their knowledge and talent, Ben has all these things and more, A truly unique voice in the industry!”
~ Anthony Peters : Director of Made You Look, feature-length graphic arts documentary film.