Hello! My name is Joel Benjamin D'souza. But I usually go by Ben.

I'm the co-founder of Layover, a product studio. I'm mainly working on growing Otto , which is a consumer product designed to help people be more mindful and intentional while working.

This website is a space for me to share personal notes, essays, and thoughts on everything from business, branding, and product development to art, philosophy, and storytelling. Occasionally, I'll also post some of my sketches or short spec-fic stories.

I tend to bounce between different interests — Pen and Ink sketches, Urban Sketching, Algorithmic Art, and Writing. I guess I just like making things. Professionally, I'm a generalist, always figuring things out as I go, but at the core, I'm interested in creating and growing what I make.

Beyond work, I love watching indie and arthouse films — Lost in Translation and Before Sunrise are two of my favorites. I also enjoy reading poetry, fiction and philosophy, especially the works of Rilke, Borges, Bukowski, Pessoa and Camus.

Outside all of that, I enjoy strength training and spending time at the Gym or in the pool.

You can find me on Bluesky or via email (jbnj[at]layover.studio)