Toronto based designer Ben Johnston uses color, shadow, and perspective to create three-dimensional typography that pops off the walls. He’s self-taught and he spent time in the agency world of South Africa before he decided to return to his home country of Canada to pursue a freelance career of branding and typography.
Johnston started mural painting by accident after a friend asked him to create a piece for the entryway of a new office building. It was in this moment that his life changed and he decided to shift his career.
He happens to also be very disciplined, Johnston told Scotty Russel of Perspective Podcast that he doesn’t spend more than four days on a mural—instead preferring to work longer hours to get the work done.
In addition to outdoor mural painting, he does client work in his studio and tries to ride his bike in the morning to clear his mind. His inspiration comes from flipping through classic design books on Bauhaus and taking photos of peeling vinyl lettering. He actually has entire mood boards of shadow references.
Check out more of his murals and designs below and follow him on Instagram.
