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.