Drew O’Brien is not the kind of creative director who set out to run an agency. In fact, he never wanted to. What makes Drew different, and what makes Make Cool Sh*t different, is that this whole journey was born out of necessity, grit, and real life.
He’s more than the guy behind the brands. He’s a father, a New Yorker at heart, and someone who believes in keeping it 100% authentic no matter what.
Always Forward.
Forward Always.
Drew’s personal mantra is the throughline in everything he touches. It’s not about chasing shortcuts or pretending the path is easy. It’s about momentum, resilience, and refusing to fake it.
That’s what clients get when they work with Drew and Make Cool Sh*t: a leader who understands the weight of running a business because he’s lived it himself.
The Full Story
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Drew O’Brien was born in Queens and raised in New Jersey, shaped by the energy, grit, and culture of New York City. Sports were a huge part of his life, teaching him discipline, teamwork, and the confidence to show up in any room.
At the same time, he was drawn to art. From sketching at the kitchen table to four years of graphic design in high school, creativity was never a hobby. It was his way of understanding the world.
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By the time Drew landed a dream role as Art Director at FanDuel in New York City, everything seemed set. Sports and design together felt like the perfect fit.
But in 2017, everything changed. FanDuel and DraftKings attempted a merger, and mass layoffs followed. Nine months into his dream job, Drew was suddenly out of work. Newly engaged, a first-time condo owner, and staring down real responsibility, he had no safety net.
That moment flipped his life upside down. Drew never wanted to start an agency. But he had bills to pay. He freelanced. He hustled. He said yes to projects and figured them out. What started as survival became a calling.
And Make Cool Sh*t was born.
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What began as a necessity became a studio known for building brands that refuse to be ignored. Over the last eight years, Drew has led hundreds of brand launches, websites, campaigns, and content shoots across all industries.
Every single project on this site, whether designed directly by Drew or not, has been creative directed by him. His fingerprints are on everything Make Cool Sh*t produces.
And while Make Cool Sh*t grew, Drew never forgot the original dream: apparel. That’s why he co-founded Sunday Sauce, a luxury-meets-streetwear brand blending NYC hustle with European ease. It’s been years in the making and it drops Winter 2026.
Today, Drew balances creative leadership with fatherhood, guiding brands while staying grounded in what really matters.
See for Yourself.
In under a minute, here’s who Drew O’Brien is, what he stands for, and why Make Cool Sh*t exists.
Principles
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Authenticity isn’t optional. A brand without it is noise.
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Mistakes are lessons. His clients get to learn from his, not repeat them.
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Business and creativity aren’t separate lanes. The magic happens where they collide.
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Running a business is hard. Making cool sh*t is easy.
The Receipts
Every brand in our portfolio carries Drew’s fingerprint. Whether it’s a full identity, a campaign, or a website, the creative direction runs through him. That’s the difference between output and impact.
Beyond the Work
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Beyond the Work 🤙🏻
Drew’s not just a founder or a creative director. He’s a dad, a partner, and someone who’s never lost touch with where he came from. Queens roots, New Jersey grit, and a love for sports keep him grounded and authentic.
That realness is what translates into Make Cool Sh*t. Clients don’t just hire a studio. They get a team led by someone who knows how to keep things bold, human, and moving forward.
