Ben Shown / Design Leader & Educator

Hello! My name is Ben. I’m a designer at heart, Head of Design by role, and educator based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I’m equal parts design nerd and creative mentor, bringing a playful curiosity to complex challenges and a love of user-centered everything. As Head of Design at Blink UX ↗, I help shape the vision for industry giants like Amazon, Expedia, Microsoft, NASA, and The New York Times.

Beyond agency work, I corrupt young design minds as a part-time lecturer at Northeastern University ↗, spreading infectious enthusiasm for making digital products less frustrating and more equitable. And if given the chance, I’ll gladly talk to you about design workshops, North Star visions, grid systems, typography, and Murphy beds ↗.

Get in touch

I love hearing from people! Please send me advice, criticism, recommendations, questions, or skeuomorphism hot takes. I’m also available for keynotes, workshops, judging, and panel discussions. Old-fashioned email ↗ or a message via LinkedIn ↗ is the best way to reach me.

Select Clients & Projects

NASA & JPL

NASA Kids Science Redesign

New York Times | Cooking

Product Envisioning

New York Times | Wirecutter

Product Envisioning

Amazon

Alexa Product Envisioning

Expedia

Vrbo Product Envisioning

Microsoft

Office Product Envisioning

Design superpowers

Shaping product vision & brand experience

Mentoring & growing design talent

Championing ethical & inclusive design

Leading strategic design workshops

Experience

Blink UX

Head of Design

2018 – current

Northeastern University

Part-time Lecturer

2019 – current

Tectonic

Creative Director

2013 – 2018

Microsoft Envisioning

Digital Designer

2011 – 2012

Museum of Pop Culture

Exhibit Designer

2011, 2013

Education

University of Washington

MFA Visual Communication Design

2010

Webster University

BA Interactive Digital Media

2005

Ben Shown / Design Leader & Educator

© 2025 Benjamin K Shown. All rights reserved. Built in Framer. Typeface: N27 by Atipo Foundry.

Ben Shown / Design Leader & Educator

Hello! My name is Ben. I’m a designer at heart, Head of Design by role, and educator based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I’m equal parts design nerd and creative mentor, bringing a playful curiosity to complex challenges and a love of user-centered everything. As Head of Design at Blink UX ↗, I help shape the vision for industry giants like Amazon, Expedia, Microsoft, NASA, and The New York Times.

Beyond agency work, I corrupt young design minds as a part-time lecturer at Northeastern University ↗, spreading infectious enthusiasm for making digital products less frustrating and more equitable. And if given the chance, I’ll gladly talk to you about design workshops, North Star visions, grid systems, typography, and Murphy beds ↗.

Get in touch

I love hearing from people! Please send me advice, criticism, recommendations, questions, or skeuomorphism hot takes. I’m also available for keynotes, workshops, judging, and panel discussions. Old-fashioned email ↗ or a message via LinkedIn ↗ is the best way to reach me.

Select Clients & Projects

NASA & JPL

NASA Kids Science Redesign

New York Times | Cooking

Product Envisioning

New York Times | Wirecutter

Product Envisioning

Amazon

Alexa Product Envisioning

Expedia

Vrbo Product Envisioning

Microsoft

Office Product Envisioning

Design superpowers

Shaping product vision & brand experience

Mentoring & growing design talent

Championing ethical & inclusive design

Leading strategic design workshops

Experience

Blink UX

Head of Design

2018 – current

Northeastern University

Part-time Lecturer

2019 – current

Tectonic

Creative Director

2013 – 2018

Microsoft Envisioning

Digital Designer

2011 – 2012

Museum of Pop Culture

Exhibit Designer

2011, 2013

Education

University of Washington

MFA Visual Communication Design

2010

Webster University

BA Interactive Digital Media

2005

Ben Shown / Design Leader & Educator

© 2025 Benjamin K Shown. All rights reserved. Built in Framer. Typeface: N27 by Atipo Foundry.

Ben Shown / Design Leader & Educator

Hello! My name is Ben. I’m a designer at heart, Head of Design by role, and educator based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I’m equal parts design nerd and creative mentor, bringing a playful curiosity to complex challenges and a love of user-centered everything. As Head of Design at Blink UX ↗, I help shape the vision for industry giants like Amazon, Expedia, Microsoft, NASA, and The New York Times.

Beyond agency work, I corrupt young design minds as a part-time lecturer at Northeastern University ↗, spreading infectious enthusiasm for making digital products less frustrating and more equitable. And if given the chance, I’ll gladly talk to you about design workshops, North Star visions, grid systems, typography, and Murphy beds ↗.

Get in touch

I love hearing from people! Please send me advice, criticism, recommendations, questions, or skeuomorphism hot takes. I’m also available for keynotes, workshops, judging, and panel discussions. Old-fashioned email ↗ or a message via LinkedIn ↗ is the best way to reach me.

Select Clients & Projects

NASA & JPL

NASA Kids Science Redesign

New York Times | Cooking

Product Envisioning

New York Times | Wirecutter

Product Envisioning

Amazon

Alexa Product Envisioning

Expedia

Vrbo Product Envisioning

Microsoft

Office Product Envisioning

Design superpowers

Shaping product vision & brand experience

Mentoring & growing design talent

Championing ethical & inclusive design

Leading strategic design workshops

Experience

Blink UX

Head of Design

2018 – current

Northeastern University

Part-time Lecturer

2019 – current

Tectonic

Creative Director

2013 – 2018

Microsoft Envisioning

Digital Designer

2011 – 2012

Museum of Pop Culture

Exhibit Designer

2011, 2013

Education

University of Washington

MFA Visual Communication Design

2010

Webster University

BA Interactive Digital Media

2005

© 2025 Benjamin K Shown. All rights reserved.
Built in Framer. Typeface: N27 by Atipo Foundry.

Ben Shown / Design Leader & Educator