For the first part of my career, I worked as a freelance animator. In 2010, I founded 6Buttons Productions, where I undertook a variety of projects ranging from animation to graphic design. This company has since evolved into 6Buttons, a graphic design company specializing in sports uniform design and merchandising. Working for myself has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me the privilege of collaborating with a fantastic range of people and engaging in a wide array of graphic design and animation projects. As Chief Creative Officer and Founder of 6Buttons, I have a passion for creating distinctive and impactful uniforms that resonate with a team's history while embracing a forward-looking vision. My experience spans design leadership, project management, client relationships, and a wide skill set in graphic and animation disciplines.

Rory O’Donnell

For the first part of my career, I worked as a freelance animator. In 2010, I founded 6Buttons Productions, where I undertook a variety of projects ranging from animation to graphic design. This company has since evolved into 6Buttons, a graphic design company specializing in sports uniform design and merchandising. Working for myself has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me the privilege of collaborating with a fantastic range of people and engaging in a wide array of graphic design and animation projects. As Chief Creative Officer and Founder of 6Buttons, I have a passion for creating distinctive and impactful uniforms that resonate with a team's history while embracing a forward-looking vision. My experience spans design leadership, project management, client relationships, and a wide skill set in graphic and animation disciplines.

Available to hire

For the first part of my career, I worked as a freelance animator. In 2010, I founded 6Buttons Productions, where I undertook a variety of projects ranging from animation to graphic design. This company has since evolved into 6Buttons, a graphic design company specializing in sports uniform design and merchandising. Working for myself has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me the privilege of collaborating with a fantastic range of people and engaging in a wide array of graphic design and animation projects.

As Chief Creative Officer and Founder of 6Buttons, I have a passion for creating distinctive and impactful uniforms that resonate with a team’s history while embracing a forward-looking vision. My experience spans design leadership, project management, client relationships, and a wide skill set in graphic and animation disciplines.

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Work Experience

Chief Creative Officer / Founder at 6Buttons
January 1, 2023 - Present
Leading 6Buttons, a graphic design company specializing in sports uniform design. Responsibilities include creating distinctive and impactful uniforms that respect team history and future vision, managing assets, vendor coordination, and client relationship development.
Owner/Operator at 6Buttons Productions
January 1, 2023 - August 21, 2025
Specialized in logo design, promotional advertising, character design, conceptual designs, sports uniform design, and commissioned pieces. Provided animation services including storyboarding, character design, computer modeling, animation, and compositing. As a writer, created screenplays, children's books, non-fiction literature, and graphic novels that blend visual art with narrative storytelling.
Graphic Designer at DAC Management
January 1, 2015 - Present
Led design projects for sports uniforms and merchandise ensuring alignment with team history and vision. Managed all assets and coordinated with vendors. Developed and managed relationships with vendors. Clients included Weredragons, Pass It Back Foundation, Spirit of 1357, Laoberians, Rejectors.
Graphic Designer at Chicago Rugby Club
January 1, 2015 - Present
Led design projects for sports uniforms and merchandise, ensuring alignment with team history and vision. Managed all assets, vendor coordination and rebranded CRC Academy Berserkers team (previously Wolves). Designed uniforms and logos for various club teams.
Freelance Animator at Calabash Animation
January 1, 2015 - August 21, 2025
Worked as assistant animator, blue liner, final liner, and shadow artist to complete commercials on time. Commercials included MasterCard 'Icons' Super Bowl commercial and various cereal commercials.
Freelance Dot Matrix Animator at Stern Pinball Inc.
January 1, 2015 - August 21, 2025
Animated characters, effects, and informational cut scenes to progress stories within pinball games including Xmen Wolverine/Magneto, Metallica, Mustang, and Star Trek.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Trace One
January 1, 2014 - August 21, 2025
Designed internal posters, web graphics, email headers and footers, convention installations, banners, and promotional posters.
Graphic Designer at Mini Maestros
January 1, 2014 - August 21, 2025
Designed logo and brand identity for the company.
Chief Creative Officer / Founder at 6Buttons
January 1, 2023 - Present
Leading a graphic design company specializing in sports uniform design. Responsible for creating distinctive and impactful uniforms that align with team history and forward-looking vision.
Graphic Designer at DAC Management
January 1, 2015 - Present
Led design projects for sports uniforms and merchandise ensuring alignment with team history and vision. Managed assets and coordinated with vendors. Developed and maintained vendor relationships. Designed for teams including Weredragons, Pass It Back Foundation, Spirit of 1357, Laoberians, and Rejectors.
Graphic Designer at Chicago Rugby Club
January 1, 2015 - Present
Led design projects for sports uniforms, ensuring alignment with team history and vision. Managed assets and coordinated with vendors. Developed and managed relationships with vendors. Rebranded CRC Academy Berserkers team (previously Wolves). Designed for teams including Chicago Rugby Club, Westside Condors, Westside B Boys, Silverbacks, CRC Academy Valkyries, CRC Academy Berserkers.
Owner/Operator at 6Buttons Productions
January 1, 2023 - August 21, 2025
Specialized in logo design, promotional advertising, character design, conceptual designs, sports uniform design, and commission pieces. Provided animation services including storyboarding, character design, computer modeling, animation, and compositing. As a writer, created screenplays, children’s books, non-fiction literature, and graphic novels blending visual art with narrative storytelling.
Freelance Animator at Calabash Animation
January 1, 2015 - August 21, 2025
Worked as an assistant animator, blue liner, final liner, and shadows artist to complete commercials on time. Notable commercials include MasterCard ‘Icons’ (Super Bowl commercial), Trix Cereals, Lucky Charms Cereals, CoCo Puffs Cereals.
Freelance Dot Matrix Animator at Stern Pinball Inc.
January 1, 2015 - August 21, 2025
Animated characters, effects, and informational cut scenes to progress the overall story within pinball games including X-Men Wolverine/Magneto, Metallica, Mustang, and Star Trek.
Freelance Graphic Designer at Trace One
January 1, 2014 - August 21, 2025
Designed projects ranging from internal posters, web graphics, email headers and footers, convention installations, banners, and promotional posters.
Graphic Designer at Mini Maestros
January 1, 2014 - August 21, 2025
Designed logo and brand identity for the company.

Education

Bachelors of Film and Video with a concentration in computer and traditional animation at Columbia College Chicago
January 11, 2030 - August 21, 2025
Story/Animation Master Class at Van Arts
January 11, 2030 - August 21, 2025
Bachelors of Film and Video with a concentration in computer and traditional animation at Columbia College Chicago
January 11, 2030 - August 21, 2025
Story/Animation Master Class at Van Arts
January 11, 2030 - August 21, 2025

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Consumer Goods