The person behind the pixels

Based in Pebble Quay, UK

One person.
Many hats.
Usually a cap.

Illustrated portrait of Otto Bell at his desk
Otto, in his natural habitat.

I’m Otto Bell, an independent designer who also writes the code. I like work that’s useful, slightly unexpected and unmistakably yours.

After seven years in small studios, I went solo in 2023. Now I work directly with founders, makers and good organisations, from the first scribble to the last broken link.

Outside of that: badly thrown pottery, very long walks and an unreasonable number of records.

Let’s compare notes
One point of contactNo hand-off gapCuriosity includedTea: milk, no sugar

Currently on my desk

Life between projects

Inputs, mostly.

A few things keeping the wheels turning.

On repeat

33⅓ RPM
pale
hours
SIDE B / SOFT SIGNAL

Soft Signal

Pale Hours · Sunday morning energy

A favourite record, quietly on the shelf.

Currently reading

INES VARROLook
Twice,
Walk OnNOTES ON THE EVERYDAY

Slow down. Look twice.

A collection of essays about noticing the things we usually walk past. Dog-eared at page 84.

My margin note

“The smallest details are often the whole point.” Keeping this above the monitor for the next project.

Sounds like a fit?

Tell me what you are making. Half-formed ideas are very welcome.

Start a project