Objective perspectives: the value of external consultants

In this series of quarterly guest blogs, we introduce you to some of the faces that make up with wider Pinstone team and showcase their expertise and services.

Name: Ben Stone, founder The Visual Works

Role: Director of Crayons

Your background / how did you get to where you are:

I’ve always had an interest in art, design and photography – all my family are creatives so it runs in my blood.

I grew up around Camden Market in London, where my Dad sold his ceramics. So it was initially a shock to the system, moving to rural Ludlow at the age of 11. However, I’ve discovered over the years that South Shropshire is equally thriving and vibrant, just in different ways.

For the past 25 years, I’ve been running The Visual Works. My journey to this point started as a teenager, when I was fortunate to work as a staff writer and assistant editor on the UK’s bestselling computer gaming magazines, Crash and ZZap!64. It was an early introduction to design, communications, publishing and print.

Later, in around 1990, I bagged the job of Assistant Editor on Pre-Press Magazine which was an early magazine covering Apple Mac and its newfound role as a tool in the graphic design and pre-press industries.

By 1995, I was ready to set up my own design agency. Today, there’s a core team of eight designers and digital developers.

Over the years, we’ve provided opportunities for local graduates to work in a creative agency environment without having to leave the region. It’s been a valuable steppingstone for many – and its immensely rewarding to help nurture and grow people’s potential.