My name is Charlie O’Shields and I direct teams of talented people in the persistent pursuit of new stories and new ideas that I then mold into killer interactive brand concepts that generate lots of money. Being a Creative Director and brand experience designer seems to suit me best as I’m always curious and love to try new things. I started my college years and early career as a former playwright, screenwriter, copy writer, actor, singer, graphic designer, set designer, costumer, packaging designer, editorial cartoonist, game designer, programmer, dance instructor and violinist – not necessarily in that order. I also had a brief and strange stint as a professional clown which is in itself odd as I’m terribly afraid of them.

These experiences led me to build and lead award-winning interactive creative teams in the creation of brand storytelling projects for many top consumer brands, including Hallmark Cards, Crayola, Lee Jeans, Jockey, Kodak, MetLife, Hostess Twinkies, DIY Network, Nickelodeon, Duncan Yo-Yos, Better Homes & Gardens, Kohl’s, JanSport/Eastpak, and Sprint. With over 25 years experience leading, mentoring, and inspiring creative teams in both digital and print design, I really thrive on solving complex problems and coming up with wildly wonderful innovative solutions.

Awards

Interactive Media Council Awards – Outstanding Achievement Award – Movie/Film
CableFax Best of the Web Awards – Social Media Campaign
Broadcast Design Association Award
National ADDY Awards
Annie Awards Nomination – Best Animated Special Production
2015 Annecy International Animation Festival in France – Shortlist
Bronze Quill Awards
Multiple International Website Awards
Flash Film Festival Finalist — New York & San Francisco
Adobe Site of the Day Awards

Books & Publications

Flash Creative Web Animation — Websites featured
Interactive Pages With Flash — Website featured
UIE Reports: Best Practices Series — Website featured
Web Motion Design, Pie Books, Japan — Website featured
Web Menu Collection, Pie Books, Japan — Website featured
Web Interface Design, Pie Books, Japan — Website featured
Cre@teOnline Magazine, London — Websites featured and featured columnist
Sam’s Publishing — Book reviewer for New Media
Tokyo Art Director’s Club Gallery Show — Website featured
Posnayko Children’s Magazine, Ukraine — Contributing Writer
Shutterbug Magazine — Featured in article on photobloggers
File Magazine — Contributing Photographer
Melange Magazine — Contributing Photographer