Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne
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View all →About This Event
Design Swansea #86 features presentations from Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne, focusing on professional insights within the creative industry. The event provides an opportunity for local designers and business professionals to engage in knowledge sharing and expand their professional networks. Attendees can connect with the Swansea creative community in a relaxed setting at HQ Urban Kitchen.
This month we are joined by Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne talking about using design to push through crises of confidence and connecting the dots.
Come join us at Urban HQ for inspiring talks and connect with our incredible creative community in Swansea with a few drinks and a slice of pizza.
Carl Dixon
Pixel-pushing through crises of confidence.
Carl is a freelance graphic designer specialising in brand, packaging, and editorial design. Like most creatives, he is no stranger to a crisis of confidence. After recently relocating from New Zealand to Wales, Carl found himself navigating a totally new industry landscape and was forced to design his way out of his biggest crisis yet.
Ben Ballantyne
Connecting the Dots.
Ben is an Australian multidisciplinary designer and creative strategist based in Swansea, South Wales. Since graduating from UWTSD in 2020, he has accumulated over six years of experience working across the creative industry, collaborating with brands and artists including Roosevelt, Swansea City Council, Marston’s Pubs, and Character.com. He was also featured in the 2020 Student Showcase by Everglow (formerly Blue Stag).
His work focuses on how design feels, functions, and connects, approaching each project with a concept-first, detail-driven process that balances restraint and creative freedom.
Outside of freelancing, Ben is a guitarist in the Bristol-based alt-indie rock band Belle Dame. The band has toured extensively across the UK, performing at venues such as O2 Brixton Academy and Dingwalls Camden, as well as festivals in Portugal, supporting artists including NAPA, Only The Poets, and Same.
Our Venue
Urban HQ
The event will be held at Urban HQ on 37 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AJ. It's next to the UWTSD ALEX Building and opposite the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
Design Swansea is supported by...
MeeCreative
tcols.design
Waters Creative
Swansea College of Art
Gower College
Swansea University
Urban HQ
4theRegion
Visit our website
designswansea.uk
Description supplied by the event organiser.
Weather on the day
Overcast · 15°C
Feels like 12°C · Chance of rain 28% · Wind 24 km/h
Forecast from Open-Meteo, updated 72 min ago. Accuracy drops beyond a few days out.
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Frequently asked questions
Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne takes place on Thursday, 3 September 2026 at 18:30.
Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne is held at HQ Urban Kitchen in Swansea (37 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AJ).
Tickets for Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne can be booked via Skiddle using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of HQ Urban Kitchen.
Ad · Booking.com affiliate link
Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne
Editorial Summary
Design Swansea #86 features presentations from Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne, focusing on professional insights within the creative industry. The event provides an opportunity for local designers and business professionals to engage in knowledge sharing and expand their professional networks. Attendees can connect with the Swansea creative community in a relaxed setting at HQ Urban Kitchen.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
Organiser’s full description
This month we are joined by Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne talking about using design to push through crises of confidence and connecting the dots.
Come join us at Urban HQ for inspiring talks and connect with our incredible creative community in Swansea with a few drinks and a slice of pizza.
Carl Dixon
Pixel-pushing through crises of confidence.
Carl is a freelance graphic designer specialising in brand, packaging, and editorial design. Like most creatives, he is no stranger to a crisis of confidence. After recently relocating from New Zealand to Wales, Carl found himself navigating a totally new industry landscape and was forced to design his way out of his biggest crisis yet.
Ben Ballantyne
Connecting the Dots.
Ben is an Australian multidisciplinary designer and creative strategist based in Swansea, South Wales. Since graduating from UWTSD in 2020, he has accumulated over six years of experience working across the creative industry, collaborating with brands and artists including Roosevelt, Swansea City Council, Marston’s Pubs, and Character.com. He was also featured in the 2020 Student Showcase by Everglow (formerly Blue Stag).
His work focuses on how design feels, functions, and connects, approaching each project with a concept-first, detail-driven process that balances restraint and creative freedom.
Outside of freelancing, Ben is a guitarist in the Bristol-based alt-indie rock band Belle Dame. The band has toured extensively across the UK, performing at venues such as O2 Brixton Academy and Dingwalls Camden, as well as festivals in Portugal, supporting artists including NAPA, Only The Poets, and Same.
Our Venue
Urban HQ
The event will be held at Urban HQ on 37 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AJ. It's next to the UWTSD ALEX Building and opposite the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
Design Swansea is supported by...
MeeCreative
tcols.design
Waters Creative
Swansea College of Art
Gower College
Swansea University
Urban HQ
4theRegion
Visit our website
designswansea.uk
Description supplied by the event organiser.
❓ Frequently asked questions
When is Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne?
Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne takes place on Thursday, 3 September 2026 at 18:30.
Where is Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne taking place?
Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne is held at HQ Urban Kitchen in Swansea (37 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AJ).
How do I get tickets for Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne?
Tickets for Design Swansea #86 - Carl Dixon and Ben Ballantyne can be booked via Skiddle using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
🏨 Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of HQ Urban Kitchen
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Price
Check website
Date
Until Thursday, 3 September 2026
Time
Weather
feels like 12°C · chance of rain 28% · wind 24 km/h
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