Simon PicklesNo. 550 · Engineering Manager and Founder of Analogue Desk Co.
Apple
Designers
Founders
IKEA
Minimal
Plants
Standing Desks
Sheds & Garages
How five designers actually use Figma
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.
Follow Ben on Twitter.
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.
