Profile

CONTACT:
hello@charliewagers.com
ELSEWHERE:

Charlie Wagers is a graphic designer, art director and illustrator, the product of gray Midwestern skies and a blue collar, Rust Belt aesthetic. Formally trained in fine arts, he draws inspiration from the antique and arcane: early printing techniques, vintage cameras and films, aged textures, forgotten books, and—oddly enough—old neon signs. Growing up on 800 acres of Kentucky farmland, Charlie forged a deep connection with nature, and today he still spends much of his time outdoors, hiking or riding his bike in search of new colors and contrasts.

Humorist and bestselling author David Sedaris has described Charlie’s unique style as “Chillbilly,” a term the designer proudly wears on his sleeve. While earning his BFA, Charlie became one of the founding members of Three Bears Design. He has worked for clients including Proctor & Gamble, XL Records, Tooth & Nail Records, Six Flags Theme Parks, American Idol’s Kris Allen, The Fray, Owl City and The Black Keys. His work has been recognized by CMYK Magazine, UnderConsideration LLC, French Paper, Lomography, and KidRobot. Charlie currently lives in Akron, Ohio, where he divides his time between his vinyl record collection, his beloved Holga camera, and his girlfriend—not necessarily in that order.

Currently accepting freelance & commissions. Let’s work on something together. 

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

CMYK Magazine,
Addy Awards,
F
rench Paper Sample Room,
UnderConsideration’s FPO: For Print Only,
Lomography,
The Impossible Project,
KidRobot’s Kronikle,
Buzzbin Magazine,
Twenty2wo Magazine & Blog,
Sweet Station,
DavyR.com,
The Mylene Sheath Magazine,
Oh So Beautiful Paper,
Let Me See Your Package,
The Crew Design Blog,
People With Animal Heads,


2012: UPCOMING Weapons of Mass Creation Fest. Cleveland, OH.
2012: American Advertising Federation – Akron, Ohio, Gold Addy Award.
2011: Paper or Plastic: A New Lowbrow Toy Show. Summit Artspace, Akron, OH.
2011: A Million Little Pictures - Brooklyn, NY; Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA.
2011: Welcome Back Cleveland, an Analogue Perspective of the New / Old City we call Home. Greenhouse Tavern, Cleveland, OH.
2011: Thread Count, Group T-Shirt Show. Revival, Akron, OH.
2011: Lo-Fi Heartbeat: Group Lomography Show. Aperture, Cleveland, OH.
2011: The Sketchbook Project – Brooklyn, NY; Austin, TX; Portland, ME; Atlanta, GA; Washington DC; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; & San Francisco, CA.
2011: Room with a View. Ohio Building, Akron, OH.
2010: Through a Plastic Lens – Solo Photography Show. Square Records Gallery, Akron, OH
2010: The Lovely Lowbrow Toy Show. Square Records Gallery, Akron, OH.
2010: 33 1/3. Square Records Gallery, Akron, OH.
2009: Senior Seminar Exhibition. Coburn Gallery, Ashland, OH.
2009: Three Bears Design Solo Exhibition. Revival Boutique, Akron, OH.
2008: Life Reflected – 7th Annual Arts Gala. Grace Church, Fairlawn, OH.
2007: Juried Student Exhibition – Coburn Gallery, Ashland, OH. 13 Pieces Selected. Best in Drawing and Digital Art categories.
2007: Common Grounds. Ashland, OH. 4 Pieces on display.
2006: Purple Door Music & Arts Festival. Lewisberry, PA. 2 Pieces Selected. Awarded Honorable Mention.
2006: National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Miami, FL. Awarded Honorable Mention in Visual Arts. Selected from 6,500 participants.
2006: Juried Student Exhibition – Coburn Gallery, Ashland University. Ashland, OH. 1 piece selected.
2005: Purple Door Music & Arts Festival. Lewisberry, PA. 3 Pieces Selected. Awarded Honorable Mention.
2005: Overture Awards – Cincinnati Arts Association. Cincinnati, OH. 5 Pieces selected. Awarded best in Visual Arts category and $2500 Scholarship.
2005: The Aronoff Center for the Arts – 5 pieces selected for Display as part of the Cincinnati Overture Awards.
2005: Tomorrow’s Artists Today Juried Art Exhibition. Sponsored by the Fine Arts Fund of Cincinnati. 3 pieces selected. Awarded 1st and 3rd places.