About me

I'm Ben Rowe. A product designer and generalist, with over 12 years of experience in product and ux design. I'm lucky do wake up every day, with the chance to do what I love. Originally from Australia, I relocated from near Melbourne to near San Francisco two years ago, and am currently working for Block.

I love working with smart people to create simple simple solutions to complex problems. I have an eye for design strategy, but like to stay close to the tools too.

I'm Ben Rowe. I'm a generalist product designer, with over 12 years of experience in product and ux design. I'm lucky do wake up every day, with the chance to do what I love. Originally from Australia, I relocated from near Melbourne to near San Francisco two years ago.

I love working with smart people to create simple simple solutions to complex problems. I have an eye for design strategy, but like to stay close to the tools too.

I specialize in

Product Design

Product Design & Strategy

I’m deeply grounded in product design experience, with a strategic mindset to match. From information architecture to high-fidelity design, I sweat the details to bring clarity and precision to every layer of a product. My work is rooted in proven fundamentals and shaped by over a decade of building things that align user needs, product vision, and business goals.

Designing with, and for AI

AI is rewriting the rules of design, and I’ve been at the front lines. At Block, I’m helping to shape AI-first tools for customer support, and thinking about what intuitive UX means when humans and machines collaborate. I’m excited about how AI is rapidly reshaping our design process, from prototyping with new tools to rapid iteration and testing ideas. For me, AI isn’t just a feature; it’s a new design material.

Systems & Sensemaking

I gravitate towards thinking in systems to make sense of complexity. Whether it’s solid information architecture, object-oriented UX, or scalable design systems, my focus is on shaping interfaces that align with how people think. Not just how things are built. In an AI-driven world where products evolve in real time, clear structure and strong mental models matter more than ever.

Leading Through Design

While I’m currently energized by hands-on work, I’ve led teams and learned from some of the best design leaders. To me, great design leadership means championing craft, shaping a clear narrative, and aligning teams around a shared vision. Where user needs and business goals move in sync. I think leadership is about raising the bar without burning people out. Setting a rhythm where teams feel safe, sharp, and ready to do their best work.

Creative Play & Experimentation

And throughout all of this, we can't forget to have fun, and to never stop learning. I carve out time for creativity and experimentation, whether it's trying out a new tool, starting a new side-projects, or some other thing to keep my creative instincts sharp. I believe that play isn’t a distraction from good design; it’s a vital part of it. Staying creatively loose helps me stay strategically sharp, bringing fresh energy, unexpected ideas, and real joy into the work.

Work experience

Block.xyz

​Lead Product Designer

Apr 2025 - Now

My current role at Block takes a lot of what I did at Cash, with a wider focus and a shift towards AI-first product design, as we reimagine how AI can work with humans to enhance customer support experiences. I’ve been leading design for new internal support copilot, powered by AI.

Block

​Product Design Lead

Apr 2025 - Now

My current role at Block takes a lot of what I did at Cash, with a wider focus and a shift towards AI-first product design, as we reimagine how AI can work with humans to enhance customer support experiences. I’ve been leading design for new internal support copilot, powered by AI.

Block.xyz

​Lead Product Designer

Apr 2025 - Now

My current role at Block takes a lot of what I did at Cash, with a wider focus and a shift towards AI-first product design, as we reimagine how AI can work with humans to enhance customer support experiences. I’ve been leading design for new internal support copilot, powered by AI.

Block.xyz

​Lead Product Designer

Apr 2025 - Now

My current role at Block takes a lot of what I did at Cash, with a wider focus and a shift towards AI-first product design, as we reimagine how AI can work with humans to enhance customer support experiences. I’ve been leading design for new internal support copilot, powered by AI.

Cash App (Block)

​Lead Product Designer

May 2022 - Apr 2025

My role at Cash focused on delivering world-class customer support experiences. I led design strategy for Customer Central, a new platform for internal advocates. This work emphasized information architecture, workflow clarity, and system thinking—bringing structure to complexity in a high-scale support environment. I worked across surfaces and functions to ensure advocates had the right tools, context, and confidence to support customers effectively.

Cash App (Block)

​Lead Product Designer

May 2022 - Apr 2025

My role at Cash focused on delivering world-class customer support experiences. I led design strategy for Customer Central, a new platform for internal advocates. This work emphasized information architecture, workflow clarity, and system thinking—bringing structure to complexity in a high-scale support environment. I worked across surfaces and functions to ensure advocates had the right tools, context, and confidence to support customers effectively.

Cash App (Block)

​Lead Product Designer

May 2022 - Apr 2025

My role at Cash focused on delivering world-class customer support experiences. I led design strategy for Customer Central, a new platform for internal advocates. This work emphasized information architecture, workflow clarity, and system thinking—bringing structure to complexity in a high-scale support environment. I worked across surfaces and functions to ensure advocates had the right tools, context, and confidence to support customers effectively.

Cogent

Lead Design Consultant

Jul 2018 - Apr 2022

I went back into consulting at Cogent, a Melbourne-based startup consultancy that was well known for its collaborative culture, and values-driven design approach. It's difficult to emphasize how much I learned during my time at Cogent. We were acquired by Cash App in 2022. I worked with a number of startups during that time, but my main client was EstimateOne, a construction tech scale-up. I evolved the design maturity of the company, established a small design team, and grew the design practice and process. I was also involved in managing the launch of a UI refresh and design system implementation.

Cogent

Lead Design Consultant

Jul 2018 - Apr 2022

I went back into consulting at Cogent, a Melbourne-based startup consultancy that was well known for its collaborative culture, and values-driven design approach. It's difficult to emphasize how much I learned during my time at Cogent. We were acquired by Cash App in 2022. I worked with a number of startups during that time, but my main client was EstimateOne, a construction tech scale-up. I evolved the design maturity of the company, established a small design team, and grew the design practice and process. I was also involved in managing the launch of a UI refresh and design system implementation.

Cogent

Lead Design Consultant

Jul 2018 - Apr 2022

I went back into consulting at Cogent, a Melbourne-based startup consultancy that was well known for its collaborative culture, and values-driven design approach. It's difficult to emphasize how much I learned during my time at Cogent. We were acquired by Cash App in 2022. I worked with a number of startups during that time, but my main client was EstimateOne, a construction tech scale-up. I evolved the design maturity of the company, established a small design team, and grew the design practice and process. I was also involved in managing the launch of a UI refresh and design system implementation.

Emprevo

Senior Product Designer

Jul 2017 – Jul 2018

I moved back into an IC role at Emprevo, a shift-management startup with a web and mobile (iOS/Android) product. This 0-1 design gave me the chance to lead the UX and UI design of a new experience from the ground up. This role helped me refine my skills as a UI designer, with a focus on design systems. I also managed the end-to-end user research in this generalist, solo-designer position.

Emprevo

Senior Product Designer

Jul 2017 – Jul 2018

I moved back into an IC role at Emprevo, a shift-management startup with a web and mobile (iOS/Android) product. This 0-1 design gave me the chance to lead the UX and UI design of a new experience from the ground up. This role helped me refine my skills as a UI designer, with a focus on design systems. I also managed the end-to-end user research in this generalist, solo-designer position.

Emprevo

Senior Product Designer

Jul 2017 – Jul 2018

I moved back into an IC role at Emprevo, a shift-management startup with a web and mobile (iOS/Android) product. This 0-1 design gave me the chance to lead the UX and UI design of a new experience from the ground up. This role helped me refine my skills as a UI designer, with a focus on design systems. I also managed the end-to-end user research in this generalist, solo-designer position.

Anz Bank

Senior User Experience Designer

Dec 2014 – Jun 2017

I joined ANZ to help deliver Australia’s New Payments Platform (NPP), working within cross-functional teams to design faster, more secure payment experiences for millions of customers. Following the NPP launch, I was promoted to lead UX for the redesign of ANZ Internet Banking—used by over 2 million users—where I partnered with product and engineering to shape a responsive, user-friendly platform in a complex Agile/Scrum environment.

Anz Bank

Senior User Experience Designer

Dec 2014 – Jun 2017

I joined ANZ to help deliver Australia’s New Payments Platform (NPP), working within cross-functional teams to design faster, more secure payment experiences for millions of customers. Following the NPP launch, I was promoted to lead UX for the redesign of ANZ Internet Banking—used by over 2 million users—where I partnered with product and engineering to shape a responsive, user-friendly platform in a complex Agile/Scrum environment.

Anz Bank

Senior User Experience Designer

Dec 2014 – Jun 2017

I joined ANZ to help deliver Australia’s New Payments Platform (NPP), working within cross-functional teams to design faster, more secure payment experiences for millions of customers. Following the NPP launch, I was promoted to lead UX for the redesign of ANZ Internet Banking—used by over 2 million users—where I partnered with product and engineering to shape a responsive, user-friendly platform in a complex Agile/Scrum environment.

​Thirst Studios

​User Experience Consultant

Mar 2012 - Dec 2014

My first proper role in UX was with Thirst Studios, where I cut my teeth and learned a lot from my early mistakes. I worked on UX design, digital strategy, and consulting for a diverse range of clients, both large and small, including Deakin University and Medibank.

​Thirst Studios

​User Experience Consultant

Mar 2012 - Dec 2014

My first proper role in UX was with Thirst Studios, where I cut my teeth and learned a lot from my early mistakes. I worked on UX design, digital strategy, and consulting for a diverse range of clients, both large and small, including Deakin University and Medibank.

​Thirst Studios

​User Experience Consultant

Mar 2012 - Dec 2014

My first proper role in UX was with Thirst Studios, where I cut my teeth and learned a lot from my early mistakes. I worked on UX design, digital strategy, and consulting for a diverse range of clients, both large and small, including Deakin University and Medibank.