Brett Benson

Benson Visuals, LLC.

Founder & Creative Director

I transformed my design expertise into a successful multimedia freelance business, providing comprehensive creative solutions for companies looking to expand their design capabilities.

Contributions:

• Business Development: Secured clients, developed proposals, managed contracts, and handled legal documentation. Subcontracted and led creative teams to execute projects effectively while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Multimedia Design: Designed and developed intuitive interfaces for web and mobile applications, optimizing user experiences. Led end-to-end video production, from concept to post-production, to create compelling brand content.
• Project Management: Oversaw multiple projects, ensuring on-time delivery within budget. Collaborated with developers, marketing teams, and executives to align creative strategies with business goals and maintain brand consistency.

Through Benson Visuals LLC, I built a reputation for delivering high-quality, tailored creative solutions that drive engagement and business growth.

Devblock

Contract Product Designer

Collaborating closely with the business development team in Seattle and the development team in Vietnam, I ensured seamless execution of high-impact projects for companies like Microsoft, LinkIt!, Arcimoto, and TAG card grading.

Contributions:

• UI/UX & Branding: Designed high-performing interfaces for SaaS and IoT, creating cohesive design systems for seamless user experiences.
• Client & Global Collaboration: Partnered with Seattle business development and Vietnam-based dev teams to align design with client needs and technical feasibility.
• Project Leadership: Led multi-project design efforts, balancing stakeholder expectations, user needs, and business goals for successful outcomes.

My work at Devblock reinforced my ability to bridge the gap between design, development, and business strategy—delivering scalable, user-driven solutions for both startups and established enterprises.

Poeta Digital

Contract UI/UX Designer

Part-time

I played a key role in delivering UI design solutions for various startups.

Contributions:

• UI/UX: Designed intuitive, high-performing interfaces for SaaS applications ensuring a seamless user experience across web and mobile platforms.
• Project Management & Execution: Led design efforts across multiple projects, balancing stakeholder expectations, user needs, and business goals to drive successful product outcomes.

AppZocial

Contract UI/UX Designer

Part-time

As the sole designer at AppZocial, an early competitor to Facebook Groups, I was responsible for crafting the UI and overall visual identity of a platform that allowed organizations to quickly launch their own social media apps. Working in a fast-paced, iterative environment, I designed a complex multi-faceted app that integrated groups, streams, chats, games, and other interactive features.

Contributions:

• UI/UX & Design Systems: Led the design of a complex social platform, creating an early design system to ensure consistency across a dynamic app.
• Marketing & Visual Communication: Produced marketing materials and explainer videos to drive adoption and showcase platform value.
• Agile Collaboration: Worked closely with an overseas dev team, rapidly iterating in a fast-paced startup environment to refine UX and implementation.

We used Basecamp for project management and Sketch for design, embracing early digital collaboration workflows to push the platform forward. This experience helped shape my ability to design at scale, adapt to evolving product needs, and collaborate with global teams on complex projects.

Anomo

UI/UX Designer

Full-time

My first full-time design role was at Anomo, an early social media startup built around anonymity rather than real-name identities. While the platform struggled to gain a large enough user base, it was a valuable learning experience that shaped my ability to adapt, take ownership, and grow beyond my initial role.

Contributions:

• Marketing & Community Management: Designed marketing materials and managed early community engagement to drive user adoption.
• Rapid Growth into UI Design: Initially hired as a graphic designer, I quickly demonstrated my ability to improve the app’s UI, leading to my transition into product design within six months.
• Feature Updates: Took ownership of UI design, creating new interfaces for app updates, improving usability, and refining the user experience.
• Navigating a Fast-Paced Startup Environment: Operated in an early-stage startup where adaptability and speed were crucial, collaborating closely with developers and product teams to iterate quickly.

While Anomo ultimately didn’t succeed in scaling, the experience taught me how to take initiative, transition between design disciplines, and drive meaningful improvements in a product’s user experience.

Screaming Flea Productions

Intern

As an intern at Screaming Flea Productions, a Seattle-based TV production studio known for shows like Hoarders, I gained hands-on experience in motion graphics, pre-production, and production logistics under the guidance of Visual Effects Director Nathan Heal. Working in the fast-paced, low-budget world of reality TV, I wore multiple hats, contributing to both creative and technical aspects of production.

Contributions:

• Designed and animated motion graphics for TV broadcasts.
• Contributed visual concepts for new reality shows.
• Prepped camera gear and supported production for Hoarders shoots nationwide.

This experience gave me an early foundation in motion design, production workflows, and creative development, reinforcing my ability to adapt, think critically, and execute under tight constraints.

Anomo

Intern

I joined Anomo as a design intern while still in college, initially focusing on graphic design and marketing materials for the early-stage social media startup. However, I quickly demonstrated my ability to contribute beyond my original role, leading to a full-time hire before I completed my degree.

Contributions:

• Graphic Design & Marketing: Created marketing materials and in-app visuals to support early user acquisition and engagement.

This experience not only launched my career in UI/UX design but also taught me the value of initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving in a fast-moving startup environment.

Art Institute of Seattle

B.S. in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics

I began my studies at the Art Institute of Seattle pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Media Arts & Animation but was quickly hired during an early internship just two years into school. After gaining real-world experience, I returned to complete my Bachelor of Science in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics in 2015.

This is where I developed a deep passion for all things design—web, graphic, film, industrial, and video game design. My time at AIS laid the foundation for my multidisciplinary career, allowing me to seamlessly weave between creative fields and adapt my skills across industries.