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Learn the essentials of intellectual property law and how it applies to creative businesses of all kinds. In this session, Benjamin Gillespie, designer and founder of Ovuud, will share practical guidance and personal insights from building a studio rooted in originality and authenticity.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how intellectual property influences creative work and what it means to truly protect your ideas. Benjamin will explore the balance between inspiration and ownership, offering strategies to help creative entrepreneurs safeguard their work while continuing to grow and collaborate.
Whether you are a designer, artist, or small business owner, this conversation will empower you to take creative ownership of your practice, approach your work with confidence, and strengthen the foundation of your creative career.
Meet the Speaker
Benjamin Gillespie (b. 1983). Self-taught in design. Formal education was Material Engineering (Drexel University, 2006) and Law (Temple Beasley School of Law, 2013). I previously practiced as an IP attorney for 12+ years while expanding and growing my own design practice.
My design practice operates through my studio, Ovuud, a lighting and furniture design studio based in Philadelphia, PA, USA. My work flows from a wide spectrum of backgrounds that include engineering, woodworking, and a life-long appreciation of architecture. Each piece is the result of striking a balance between desired functionality, understanding the limits of material medium, and achieving a harmonious aesthetic. Practice now focuses heavily on small scale production methods to unlock new approaches to design and expression. Each piece is designed and fabricated by me in my studio in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Show Participation:
- Philadelphia Furniture Show 2018 (Philadelphia, PA, USA)
- PMA Craft Show 2018 (Philadelphia, PA, USA) - PMA Craft Show 2019 (Philadelphia, PA, USA)
- Winner of Wharton Esherick Prize for Best Woodworking
- Architectural Digest Show 2019 (New York, NY, USA)
- Wanted Design 2019 (New York, NY, USA)
- Meet My Project as part of Paris Design Week 2019 (Paris, France)
- PMA Craft Show 2020 (Philadelphia, PA, USA)
- Winner of Wharton Esherick Prize for Best Woodworking
- Design Miami LA 2024 (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
- Design Miami 2024 (Miami, FL, USA)
In Partnership with:
