338 - Ben Powell

Ben Powell is an Independent Product Designer and Filmmaker delivering best-in-class digital products & short films.

On the design side, he has spent the last 10 years helping the worlds best studios, start-ups & established companies turn ambitious ideas into beautiful, considered interfaces.

On the filmmaking side, he produces short, documentary-style films telling inspiring stories from the tech industry and beyond.

Twitter (X) → twitter.com/_powellben

Inside Ben's Workspace

Workspace Items:

• ‍‍Apple Studio Display
• 16" Macbook Pro
• Sony A7RIV
• Sonos One
  

Prints & Artwork:

• Bubi Au Yeung 'Nerd Alert' model
• Mr Bingo 'Don't forget to have fun' headstone
• 'Done is beautiful' print from Offscreen magazine
• Ryo Takemasa 'Ski tracks' print
• 1976 Montreal Olympics print
• Owen Pomery camping print
  

Accessories:

• Lemnos Soso clock
• Ikea tertial work lamp
• Offscreen magazines
• Muji wire basket & clear stand
• Market X Smiley basketball
• Herman Miller Cosm chair
  

Desk, shelves etc. is a custom build, built by Vancouver Woodshop Coop & was self-designed.

What is the most useful item in your workspace?

It’s hard to look past my MacBook Pro, display & camera as they’re the core tools for everything I do. In a slightly different way, I find Mr Bingo’s headstone helps remind me to have some perspective when I’m getting anxious or too deep in a creative problem.

How do you spark creativity?

You know, I wish I had specific ways to spark creativity, it would make the process a hell of a lot easier! It doesn't work like that for me. I find inspiration can be sparked in the most obscure places and at random times. If you pushed me on it, I'd say music is a good stimulus for me, but the elusively is what makes it so gratifying when inspiration strikes.

How do you manage work-life balance?

Becoming a parent 18 months ago has forced me to be ruthless in my prioritisation. My health & family come first, and then my job. It’s always a work in progress though, and the balance constantly tilts one way or another.