EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
DESIGN BRIDGE AND PARTNERS, BROOKLYN NY
With almost 20 years of agency experience, Ben has been developing design systems that stake out authenticity and ownable positions for some of the world’s leading brands.
As a seasoned design leader, Ben is at the helm of the Creative Practice for Design Bridge and Partners North America, managing and mentoring teams and clients across a broad spectrum of industries and outputs, of which include Mastercard, Kenvue, Tyson Foods, Suntory, Colgate-Palmolive, Lenovo, Diageo, HCSC, Glanbia, and more.
Prior to joining Design Bridge and Partners, Ben was an Associate Partner and Design Discipline lead at VSA Partners’ New York office. Overseeing all new and existing client relationships, he had the privilege of working with key clients such as AT&T, Bloomberg, Lowe’s, Cole Haan, Affirm, Consumer Reports, The Trade Desk, Xerox and IBM, where he led key assignments for the launch of the IBM Watson business unit, the Apple + IBM partnership as well as a number of global internal communications and engagement work spanning the 400K+ employee population.
A native Texan, Ben calls Brooklyn home.
DO YOU BELIEVE GRAPHIC DESIGNERS HAVE A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THEIR TALENTS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT? WHY OR WHY NOT?
As designers, we have the ability to shape how people perceive and engage with the world. The messages we craft, the visuals we create, and the stories we tell all influence attitudes, behaviors, and decisions. That power carries weight, and with it comes the potential to make a positive difference.
But this responsibility is not a one-size-fits-all mandate. The beauty of design lies in its versatility; it can be used to provoke thought, inspire change, or simply entertain. Ultimately, it’s about recognizing the power of design to influence, and choosing how we, as individuals, want to contribute to shaping a better world.
HOW DO YOU SEE AI AND OTHER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IMPACTING THE FUTURE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN? WHAT ABOUT THEIR EFFECTS ON CREATIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND EMPLOYMENT?
Design and emerging technologies have always had a symbiotic relationship, such that we design for technology and also design with it. It’s a complicated dance, but a designer’s intuition to adapt paves the way forward.
AI requires us to translate our creative intentions into clear, verbal prompts—a skill that challenges many designers to think more strategically about how we articulate ideas. This process reinforces the connection between creative thinking and strategic direction, embedding those principles into the very mechanics of how we interact with these tools. In essence, AI becomes not just a tool, but an extension of our thought process.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING A CAREER IN GRAPHIC DESIGN?
Young designers should adopt the mindset of a sponge and soak up everything. You’re here to observe and influence how people engage with the world, which means you must absorb, understand, and critically filter the information and experiences shaping you. This process will also help you build a deeper, more personal understanding of your own “why.”
Don’t be afraid to create and contribute. Learn from those around you and ask questions. The early stages of your career are crucial for exploration, as this is when you begin to cultivate the perspective that will shape your work and value to the world.
