Welcome to Industry Insider by Behind Sport. Our latest guest is Ben Wild, Chief Doodler for Ben Wild Studios!
Tell us about yourself, what is your current role and what roles have you done previously?
Hello I’m Ben Wild and I am currently the Chief Doodler for Ben Wild Studios. We have worked with brands all-a-round the world, mainly in the sports industry. Previous to this I have worked an array of jobs, I started off as an illustrator and comic book creator for a physiotherapy brand, from there I worked for a film studio as an animation asset builder & travelling storyboard artist. Then I created a 200-page graphic novel & later started my own company. Since starting we have worked with brands such as, Man City, New Balance, ATP & many more.
What do you do in your current role?
I draw, animate and drum up new business. I do traditional illustration work & animate on sheets of paper as Disney himself did.
What does a normal week look like for you?
I can’t really say. I might be painting portraits for sports folk or working on animations for TV commercials & movies. My week can be similar throughout, or we might be doing something completely different every single day.
How did you end up where you are right now? When did you know you wanted to work in sport?
Just being nice to people & word of mouth leads the way. I never had a plan to end up in the sports industry, but I followed the route my art was taking & it led me here. It’s a funny one really as before working for City I hadn’t ever watched a live game of football. What attracted me to working with the guys at City was being able to draw & animate world class athletes who’ve dedicated their lives to a mission or idea.
What are you excited about in your industry at the moment?
I am excited to see how fellow artists incorporate tech in the creative pieces they make. I am excited to see how sporting brands continue to push the boundaries of illustration & animation. I am interested to see which styles of animation stick around & which fade away.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to work in the sports industry?
Work hard & try to be unique with the work you do. Oh and be nice. Being nice is easily the best & easiest way to be successful. Most of my big clients have been word of mouth from previous jobs. There isn’t ever a need to be a dick-head’.
How to follow Ben Wild…
www.BenWildStudios.com & www.Instagram.com/BenWildStudios
Thanks for reading our Industry Insider feature with Chief Doodler, Ben Wild!
