Ben Johnson

In His Own Words

• What do you do (in 5 words or fewer)?

  Learn. Think. Design. Create.

• Tell me about the happiest you’ve ever been.

  Whenever I’m moving, traveling, in motion, even just walking...it seems to keep me at peace and happy. 

• What would you be willing to die for?

  My dog. I’d punch a bear at least.

• Who’s your favorite Free Ranger to work with and why?

  I like working with Ruben because he is one organized S.O.B.

• Do you believe that the universe has a purpose?

  Doesn’t everything?

• If you could have one magic item what would it be?

  Silly question. Time machine with a built-in wish generator.

• What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had (before Free Range)?

  Catching snakes for the science club. They weren't poisonous, but they had fangs.

• What song gets stuck in your head most often?

  The “Whistle Stop” song from the 1973 Disney cartoon version of Robin Hood. Almost daily. http://ow.ly/891LU

• Free Ranger Bio

  From web and print to identity, illustration, animation and video, Ben (aka “Ben J”) has spent the past 12 years using whatever means necessary to synthesize each client's vision with a unique creative solution. After five formative years at a large ad agency in Florida, Ben quit his job in 2005 to hike the Appalachian Trail with his wife. Ben’s experience backpacking for six months left a lasting desire to live simply and a new determination to transcend the typical American consumer culture story. Since then he has worked on large-scale education, transportation, and environmental web and print projects, helped nonprofits establish organizational identities, and led successful design campaigns for numerous small businesses.

  In 2008, Ben made the cross-country jump from the jungle-swamps of North Florida to the hipster-haven of Northern California. Soon after he landed his dream job working at Free Range, where his penchant for multidisciplinary design has been met with equally diverse projects. Some favorite Free Range clients include the Story of Stuff, Fair Trade, Straus Family Creamery, The Trust for Public Lands, The Dalai Lama Fellows, and Alliance for Climate Education.

  In his spare time, Ben enjoys exploring Northern California, living in an intentional community, and playing in a croquet league.

• Thinking

  • We’re Looking for a Few Good Eggs Posted May 07, 2012
  • 25 Years of Social Venture Network Posted April 27, 2012
  • Instagram to the Rescue! Posted April 11, 2012
  More Posts ►