Benjamin Shrimpton
Q What do you do?
“Web & Brand Designer & Developer”
I work with brands and agencies on a broad cross-section of projects: from packaging and magazine design to complex web applications and e-commerce solutions.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Self-taught in web design and development for over 14 years. I never graduated from college, I spent years working minimum wage jobs to support my creative endeavors. Eventually, through nothing but my own dedication, I launched Plastique magazine in
London in 2006, but the market completely fell out of the print magazine world around the same time, that's what gave me the impetus to pursue digital, back then it was a very separate and strange world. I interned for free at the age of 32 at an agency in Birmingham for several months, eventually breaking out on my own to found Black & Black Creative in New York in 2012. Finally, I made it to Los Angeles 10 years after visiting and thinking to myself, “this would be an awesome place to live and work”, and established my own boutique agency, SHRIMPTON.AGENCY with my wife, Sarah Cobb.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I design and develop all my own code and by doing so I’m accountable for every line written. Being a coder and designer means I can offer flexible solutions to clients who might be more used to the process of working with a designer on something fairly static and then struggling to work with a developer to bring their project to life on the web. I use my developer eye to make design decisions, and my designer eye to make web dev decisions.
Q What are you working on right now?
Since the war in Ukraine broke out, I have been working with other creatives on various relief projects.
Q What’s your style?
When I started web design it was all Flash – movement and effects & butterflies flapping their wings – so I’ve seen numerous trends and styles come and go. I never stick with one way of doing things, that just wouldn't be progressive. I enjoy trying new things and never settling. I used to do austere black and white design with magazine-inspired font settings, but now with accessibility being at the forefront, big type and readability are more fun to explore. My favorite project is whatever I'm working on right now.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
More time to focus on my personal projects. I created the Rye Whisky brand RITA’S RYE,the kids nail polish brand JO&CO, and the Dog Shampoo brand ANU & BIS.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Too many "UI/UX" designers think using Figma templates as legit designs means one portfolio is indiscernible from the next. Too much noise and marketing activity on social media make it harder to make real creative connections these days. Everything is about transactions these days, and creatives have their money hat on constantly. If more creatives believed in collaboration, there would be a lot more amazing work out there.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Clear out my 2,764 unread emails. If they did that in record time, I’d offer them a job for more than $20 per hour.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Shopify is gonna be really big. Seeing & staying abreast of market trends is really important. Sure some creatives try to stay outside of it and focus on their talent and wait for different markets to take interest, but long term, it’s important for creatives to see how they can apply their particular skills to solve real-world business problems. Those business problems are often created by forces we’re not in control of, so always looking to the future is key to long-term success.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Public speaking and client pitching. Being able to verbalize and defend your own creative decisions is very important.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Collaborations with brands and / or individuals who have great ideas that require both creative & technical thinking & solutions.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My dream client is a partnership with a brand that: Has a strong message. Is ambitious. Is impact-driven. Is collaborative. Has clearly defined ethos and ethics. Is authentic. Has an inspiring and talented team or leader.
Q: What is your rate?
Headless Shopify sites start at $25,000 for design and development. I'm also open to working with solopreneurs and non-profits at discounted rates and often collaborate on pro bono projects that inspire or provide value. I’m not just a gun for hire, I take brands online and keep them online and value long-term partnerships.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Simply email me!
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Celeste Keilani Martin has been a brilliant creative partner on projects in Los Angeles since I move here 3 years ago. Her aesthetic and personality are really inspiring.
Gemma Lacey has been an inspiring strategic mind, speaker, and pitch coach.
Abel Macias is a fine artist whose work adorns many locations in L.A. that I’ve admired, so I've begun working with him on bringing his paint and print work to life for the digital medium.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
The best way to stay creative is to constantly interact with other creatives, whether they be working in your particular field or otherwise. As a work-from-home Dad of two small kids, this is a surprisingly rare occurrence these days. I have friends who are comedians, painters, web developers, photographers, hairdressers, and gardeners – all are passionate about their work, witnessing their passion is inspiring.
This member profile was originally published in May 2022.