Click here to visit Ben the llustrator’s Gallery.

How many years have you been a freelance illustrator?

As I am now, as ‘Ben the llustrator’, it’s been about four years. Before that I was creative director of a small animation and design studio in London, while I was there I was doing a few illustration jobs on the side, mostly for enjoyment more than as a career path or for professional gain. Then I had an epiphany and realized it was the illustration jobs that made my heart beat, that I really relished, and not the animation work, so I left the studio and decided to go solo.

How reliable are you?

Very! I think. I’ve never missed a deadline and I have a handful of top clients that continue to commission me regularly, Smart Cars, The Guardian and Computer Arts being the main ones, and all of which are a pleasure to work with. I’m also lucky to have a very good agent (AgencyRush.com) that I enjoy working with, so things are kept very efficient and pleasant in the working process. I think when you enjoy what you do and you have a professional outlook (or a good agent to ensure that side is cared for), you can be trusted to do a job well.

In a commercial sense what can your work be applied too?

Mostly, editorial and advertising. Essentially, I illustrate landscapes, so if that can be adapted to a campaign or an article, then I can make that application. I do do occasional figurative illustrations and some work with type, but landscapes are my passion. I would love to do more for the travel industry, illustrating beautiful, idyllic destinations around the world.

Who are your top clients?
As I said, I work regularly for Smart Cars, The Guardian and Computer Arts, but I’ve also been able to work with a lot of advertising agencies, Fallon, DDB, JWT and Agency Sacks in the passed year. I really enjoy working with an ad agency, as they more often than not understand how important it is to work well as a team, and so they bring me in as part of their team, conversing with copywriters, production managers, project managers etc, all working towards the same goal, it is always a good experience.

Apart from illustration what other skills do you have?

I’m quite good at baking! My wife is a fantastic cook, but doesn’t enjoy baking so much, so I’ve become the house baker. I make a good spelt sponge cake, scones, fruit pies etc. My wife is quite health conscious and has a good understanding of nutrition, which is good, however I have a major uncontrollable sweet-tooth and can get a little carried away with adding cream or chocolate to something. It’s a great process, starting with flours and sugars and fruits and dairy and bringing them all together, often very simply, to make cakes and puddings, I actually love doing it, although I’ll leave that skill as a hobby, I’m not sure if I’ll have a career as Ben the Baker.

What’s your favourite sandwich filling?

Jam! I’ve always been a little disappointed that you can’t openly buy jam sandwiches as much as normal savory ones. Once upon a time there was a campaign I was involved in asking for more sandwich outlets to sell jam sandwiches, it ended up with a radio show on BBC Radio Four alongside Dave Gorman, asking the big question, why can’t we buy jam sandwiches? Marks and Spencer, Pret A Manger and some other outlets were interviewed, most felt that it wasn’t a priority for their business at the time, I don’t know if they’re all looking back with regret at their decisions, wishing they’d taken our advice.

Click here to visit Ben the llustrator’s Gallery.