Ben Ellis - Freelance UX Designer
Creative & Technical Expert | Figma Specialist | UX Research & Design | Systems-Focused | Detail-Driven, Hardworking & Approachable
Highlights
Highlights
Expertise
- 25+ years of digital experience, blending UX design with a strong foundation in front and back-end development.
- Specialist in delivering user-centred design across large, complex programmes, including Continuous Improvement (CI).
- Experience in embedded agency-client teams, optimising digital experiences, recently for a UK hospitality brand at VML.
- Proven expertise in shaping UX processes, setting standards, and driving innovation with evolving tools and systems.
- Founder of Flex Design System reflecting deep expertise in tokens, scalable component libraries and workflow efficiency.
- Skilled at balancing business goals with user needs through research, CRO collaboration and analyst-driven insights.
- Extensive luxury e-commerce expertise (Mulberry, Carolina Herrera, Moncler, Jaguar Land Rover).
- Experienced mentor, supporting junior designers and client teams through guidance, shadowing and knowledge sharing.
- Hybrid/remote practitioner, successfully delivering projects across geographies.
- Engaging communicator, adept at presenting to stakeholders at all levels, from delivery teams to C-Suite.
Key Skills
Design & UX: End-to-end UX delivery (research, strategy, journeys, wireframes, prototypes, usability
testing). Figma, ProtoPie. Exploring AI-driven workflows (ChatGPT, Figma Make, Cursor).
Research & Insights: Usability testing, CRO and analytics (GA, Content Square, Clarity, Hotjar), competitor
research, A/B testing.
Collaboration & Delivery: Mentoring designers, cross-disciplinary collaboration with developers, analysts and
researchers. CI, agile and waterfall delivery. Tools: Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence, Miro.
Technical Foundation: Front- and back-end development (HTML, CSS, JS, PHP, WordPress). Strong grasp of
feasibility and technical constraints.
Tools/Process
Analytics
Analytics
Analytics
Personas
User Journeys
Sitemaps
Wireframes
Prototyping
Figma
Sketch
Protopie
Maze
Optimizely
Confluence
Zeplin
HTML
CSS
JavaScript
PHP
WordPress
Select Testimonials
Joana Flor
Senior Interactive Producer, MPC
"Ben's input on the project was absolutely essential. He is a dream to work with: great attitude and a totally expert in his craft. He makes the UX design process attainable to client and team. Can't rate him enough. I'm looking forward to working back together."
Ben Bashford
Group Director of Experience Design, Critical Mass
“Ben was the first freelance hire I made at a new job. He not only delivered work that was above and beyond the quality expected of him but also actively improved our relationship with a key client. Incredibly professional, diligent and craft-driven, I'd jump at having him back on my team.”
Andrew Cowley
Growth Strategy and Innovation
"I can recommend him very highly. He is very conscientious and attentive to detail around design itself, but also has a bigger-picture view of what we were trying to achieve as a business. Great client communication skills, and also a good guy to have around on the team for long stints on client site."
Nine 'Fun' Facts
For those who want to find out what else makes me tick.
#1 - Travel
I love to travel and experience new cultures, so much so that I married a Brazilian and spent the past 10 years visiting Brazil and learning Portuguese.
#2 - Fitness
I'm an active person, whether that's going to the gym, pool or running. Here's a picture of my trainers to prove it!
#3 - Surfing
I'm obsessed with surfing, stand-up paddling, open-water swimming, anything that keeps me in the water for as long as possible.
#4 - Surf-skating
When I can't be in the water, this is the next best thing.
#5 - I'm Social
No, I don't mean I'm on social media, whether it's at the counter in the supermarket or boarding a plane to somewhere tropical, I love a bit of small talk!
#6 - Guitar
I've been playing the guitar since I was about 14 and still love picking it up, whether it's plugged-in or an accoustic.
#7 - Music Production
Bored with the monotony of life in lockdown, I taught myself the basics of music production. Endless YouTube tutorials and a few indulgent spends on Amazon, I've produced a number of tracks.
Check out my music website and SoundCloud.
#8 - Cooking & Craft Beer
I love food, cooking and craft beer. I occasionally attempt to brew my own (with only the one explosion to date).
#9 - Street Art
Street art, graffiti, call it what you want, I dig it. São Paulo has some of my favourite pieces.