CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ENDEAVOR BUSINESS MEDIA
TULSA OK
Charles Thomas is an Indonesian-born, US graphic designer based in Tulsa OK. He has worked in the creative industry for more than 20 years with extensive experience in conceptualizing, designing, and crafting the perfect solution for every client.
Charles’ expertise in UX/UI design, illustration, and photography, serves as the foundation to successful promotional campaigns and strategic brand development. His clients range from start-ups and small businesses to non-profit organizations and corporations.
Charles’ philosophy: effective design isn’t just about a “wow” factor, but about connection to the audience and the impact of the work. That philosophy has helped him succeed in the B2B and B2C industries and win an award or two along the way.
Charles serves as the Creative Director of Endeavor Business Media’s inhouse Corporate Creative Services department. In 2022, Endeavor Business Media was ranked in the top 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the U.S. In his role, Charles leads a team of designers and videographers whose goal is to deliver creative solutions and impactful designs. Through their roles, they are continuously focused on identifying opportunities for growth and improvements, while ensuring they are delivering the highest quality of work.
Looking forward to 2023, are you optimistic about the role and impact of Graphic Design and Visual Communication in Business? Culture? Causes? Have the events and disruptions of the past few years changed the role or trajectory of Graphic Design?
Very optimistic. From the point of view of Graphic Design and Visual Communication, we are seeing an increase in the need to communicate across various platforms. The proliferation of design-made-easy apps, while convenient, has produced a lot of noise. As graphic designers, it is imperative that our works stand out from the noise. We must be diligent in delivering impactful designs without sacrificing the UX/UI.
Favorite or most influential logo or branding project of the past 60 years?
Disney branding. The mere mention of the word “Disney” will evoke a sense of nostalgia. It brings us back to our favorite movies and characters from our childhood. Their holistic approach in combining branding, marketing, and user experience not only nurtures the audience connection, but also brings us along to their next reinventions. I really admire the way that Disney creates brand loyalty by crafting their narratives over the scope of many years.