FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DESIGN DIRECTOR,
10 THOUSAND DESIGN, MINNEAPOLIS MN
Ed Bennett is founder and executive design director of 10 Thousand Design, which he launched in August 2016. 10 Thousand Design evolved within ad agency Colle+McVoy after the design practice tripled in size over the last three years, thanks to new clients like Target, Invisalign and Stanford University, and to organic growth from existing clients like Cub Cadet and General Mills. The future is bright for the firm, which launched with a broad mix of clients in retail, consumer packaged goods, and health and wellness. Since joining Colle+McVoy more than 15 years ago, Ed has transformed design from a minor client offering into a prominent design firm. He plays a crucial role and influences each piece of business which includes branding, packaging, collateral and identity work. National and international recognition has been received from Cannes Lions, the Effies, The One Show, the D&ADs and The Show, as well as from esteemed international publications like CA, GDUSA, The Dieline, Graphis, Print, Creativity and HOW.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Marshall MN and Hopkins MN, a suburb of Minneapolis
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
Undergraduate at South Dakota State University with majors in Graphic Design and Fine Art Painting
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Morning
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Trumpet in high school, I was also the drum major for the marching band. I play harmonica by ear.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes Comedy Hour
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
I’m more of a documentary guy. Chef’s Table on Netflix is beautifully shot and inspiring.
ANY PETS?
Yes. A dog. A Wirehaired Pointing Griffon named Oscar
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
English and Love
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Thomas Hart Benton
FAVORITE CHARITY?
Any food shelf
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Pheasant hunting with my dog
LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
You have great hair
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Memories
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Black
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Helvetica
DO YOU HAVE A DESIGN MENTOR OR INSPIRATION?
Joe Duffy. Joe had a great influence on my early career and through him and his firm I met many talented people and friends in Minneapolis.
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength is connecting the dots; weakness is that I continue to confuse emboss and deboss
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Take a business class and learn the business of design.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Chef
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Be nice.
