I'm Ben. I'm a Los Angeles-based illustrator, animator, fiber artist (I make RUGS now!!!) and content creator. I’m thrilled you’re here 🫶
Currently, I’m *in between gigs* but taking some time to work on personal art (did I mention I make rugs now). Prior to that, I’ve worked as a background painter and color designer on animated TV shows at Titmouse, Netflix, NBCUniversal, and DreamWorks TV, and as an illustrator on the editorial art desk at BuzzFeed.
Born and raised near Chicago, I earned my BA at Tulane University, and graduated with my MFA from the Animation Workshop at the UCLA School of Theater, Film + Television. I’ve made illustrated and animated content that’s been shared over 28 million times on BuzzFeed’s Snapchat Discover channel and Instagram Stories. I’ve had short films featured as part of the New Orleans Film Festival, the UCLA Director's Spotlight, and the BAFTA US Student Film Awards shortlist.
When I’m not pushing pixels or making videos, my hobbies include being gay, cooking, forcing my friends to do trivia with me, walking Stevie (my husky mix) at the Silver Lake Reservoir, going to karaoke just to sing Landslide (the Chicks version), running, and continuing my quest to find LA’s best breakfast burrito (tie between Wake & Late and Lucky Boy, with Tacos Villa Corona as the old standby). I’ve also seen Beyoncé seven (7) times in concert.
Freelance clients include Nike, GIPHY, Pepsi, Starbucks, Will Smith, Birds Eye, Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, Modern Health, and Superfruit.
CONTACT: ben.j.haist@gmail.com