My name is Ben Young Landis — welcome to my portfolio and philosophy. Creative Externalities is the absolute expression of my desire to serve the world, designing lasting impact for science, environment, and society.
The Name
In the study of economics, “externalities” is the term describing the additional consequences of a party’s actions.
There can be positive externalities. A lushly planted neighborhood park is built for locals to recreate in — but it reaps additional value to the greater region by providing clean air, habitat for wildlife, and increased civic pride and physical health in residents.
There can also be negative externalities. One person using a gas-powered leafblower can clear their own property of fallen leaves — but ends up adding detrimental costs to everyone else in the neighborhood by spreading dust, emissions, and noise pollution to other properties and residents.
I believe in generating Creative Externalities. In everything that I set out to do, I am confident that the end product will provide value to the client. But, I am also hopeful that our effort will affect further ripples of positive good for many others more. The societal benefits and intrinsic beauty produced from one creative effort or design will, in turn, radiate further out into the world.
Create a new brand for an organic farm, and in turn, their improved visibility will teach more customers about sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Train a scientist to be a better communicator, and in turn, their improved skills will lead to more people understanding the everyday relevance of their research. Design a marketing strategy to promote a journalism conference, and in turn, their improved attendance will nurture more skilled journalists and a stronger civil society.
Creative Externalities is a philosophy — and I hope you will join me in sharing this way of work and life.
— Ben Young Landis
House Rules
- Have fun.
- Do no harm.
- Leave the world a better place.
