Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne

This month we are joined by Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne talking about using design to push through crises of confidence and connecting the dots.

Come join us at Urban HQ for inspiring talks and connect with our incredible creative community in Swansea with a few drinks and a slice of pizza.

Carl Dixon

Pixel-pushing through crises of confidence.

Carl is a freelance graphic designer specialising in brand, packaging, and editorial design. Like most creatives, he is no stranger to a crisis of confidence. After recently relocating from New Zealand to Wales, Carl found himself navigating a totally new industry landscape and was forced to design his way out of his biggest crisis yet.

Ben Ballantyne

Connecting the Dots.

Ben is an Australian multidisciplinary designer and creative strategist based in Swansea, South Wales. Since graduating from UWTSD in 2020, he has accumulated over six years of experience working across the creative industry, collaborating with brands and artists including Roosevelt, Swansea City Council, Marston’s Pubs, and Character.com. He was also featured in the 2020 Student Showcase by Everglow (formerly Blue Stag).

His work focuses on how design feels, functions, and connects, approaching each project with a concept-first, detail-driven process that balances restraint and creative freedom.

Outside of freelancing, Ben is a guitarist in the Bristol-based alt-indie rock band Belle Dame. The band has toured extensively across the UK, performing at venues such as O2 Brixton Academy and Dingwalls Camden, as well as festivals in Portugal, supporting artists including NAPA, Only The Poets, and Same.

Our Venue

Urban HQ

The event will be held at Urban HQ on 37 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AJ. It's next to the UWTSD ALEX Building and opposite the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.

Design Swansea is supported by...

MeeCreative

tcols.design

Waters Creative

Swansea College of Art

Gower College

Swansea University

Urban HQ

4theRegion

Visit our website

designswansea.uk