Design for the mobile world
DesignA well designed product is not an accident or a sudden idea but the result of a purposeful process that starts with a need.
ChallengeA good design challenges the status quo, and steps beyond comfort zones, to better the present.
ChangeAgainst a challenge to the status quo, change can only be brought about with conviction and persistence.
Auryn Apps
Picture Books
Comics
Umesh Shukla is a designer and entrepreneur. Currently he is chief creative officer of Auryn Inc, a company that he founded. His work reflects his training as a graphic designer, his vision to expand the possibilities that emerging platforms offer, and award winning work in the field of animation and special effects. This combination has resulted in ground breaking technology, pioneering apps and stories that are much loved. He has been regarded as an expert who is shaping the book industry as it goes through a traditional to digital tranformation.
Children’s apps designed by him have won numerous awards and are recognized as the benchmark in this industry. His apps based on the works of celebrated authors and illustrators like Dean Koontz, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosemary Wells, Lisbeth Zwerger, Mary Engelbreit and Nancy Tillman amongst others, are breaking new grounds and setting standards in the app industry.
Umesh was also recognized as one of 25 digital leaders for 2011 in the emerging entertainment space by the Producers Guild of America and Variety magazine. Mediabistro also named him one of the top 5 children’s app publishing experts to keep an eye out for.
In the directorial realm, his animated short film “Still I Rise,” inspired by the life and death of John Merrick (The Elephant Man), toured festivals around the globe, earning awards and critical praise as “a truly magical and masterful tour de force.” He is also the director of “The Girl Who Cried Flowers,” (Scholastic/Weston Woods) “Almond Blossoms,” (Microcinema) and “In Winter Still” (Possible Films).
Umesh’s passion for story telling and creative exploration can also be seen in a series of comics that he has created under the Pushpuck banner. Well received and with a good following, these comics are being published by Eurobooks. The Forgotten Tales series is based on Indian mythology and he recently launched The Strike, which takes its roots from the game of cricket and creates a true Indian superhero.
Umesh is also the author of children picture books Love You Back! and recently released You Make Me Proud. Addressing a much desired need, these books are available at various online stores.
In the special effects and animation arena, Umesh’s work can be seen in various Hollywood films and TV commercials including Titanic and Shark Tales amongst others.
Over the years, Umesh has presented at animation and business conferences including TOC, Bologna Book Fair, Nvision, Infocom and SIGGGRAPH, and has been widely covered by leading national and international magazines. He has taught at Cal Arts, designed courses for the Art Institute, and has served as a judge at animation festivals.
He majored in graphic design with honors from the National Design Institute of India and still treasures his time at that prestigious design mecca.
Mary Engelbreit’s Classic Art Is Dressed Up With New Paper Doll App
Auryn, Inc. Promotes National Reading Month
Digital Storytime recommends The Chalk Box Story by Don Freeman
James Patterson’s SantaKid Alights Upon The iPad For Christmas
New reading apps from actors Curtis, Burton
Jamie Lee Curtis Launches Cool Storybook App
Jamie Lee Curtis and Auryn Launch New Kids’ Storybook App
Van Gogh and the Sunflowers – way better than that Art History class in college
Auryn Nominated For Best Education And Reference Mobile App Webby Award
5 Children’s Book App Publishing Experts To Watch
Sketching Out a Future for the Stylus
Auryn’s Founder on Storytelling Opportunities
App Developers to Watch: Auryn
Book Apps from Auryn Named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2011
Bringing ‘Van Gogh and the Sunflowers’ to Digital Life
Dean Koontz and Auryn Bring Beloved Trixie Books to Life for a Charitable Cause
Discover Beauty and Art in Auryn – Van Gogh and the Sunflowers
Van Gogh and the Sunflowers Ahgoo Review
Auryn wins three parents choice awards for groundbreaking storybook ipad apps
Children’s Literature Interviews with host Susan Raab
Mundie kids reviews Love You Back!
Love You Back! review at Ahgoo Review
Eurobooks Publishes Umesh Shukla‘s Forgotten Tales in India
Auryn: Apps With Texture and Thoughtfulness
Rosemary Wells Teams with Auryn, Fourth Story to Develop Kids’ Apps
Little Mermaid wins a Kirkus Star
Top Ten Most Original iPad Books
Interactive Interest: Posting New Media
Take An Underwater Journey Through A Classic Tale: The Little Mermaid
Teddy’s Day wins the Appy Award in books category
iPad book apps make reading with kids magical
The Little Mermaid Comes to Beautiful Life
Auryn Teams Up With Artist Lisbeth Zwerger
iPad Storybook Apps And The Kids Who Love Them
Auryn: Honor the Storytelling Soul in the Digital Age
2 gorgeous iPad books reviewed
The Five Apps You Need to Check Out Now
The 7 Most Innovative iPad Apps of 2010
Auryn Ink Watercolor Drawing iPad App
Auryn’s ‘Teddy’ Roams the Tablet Market
Teddy’s Day for iPad brings something new to interactive children’s books
Auryn animation answers what does my teddy bear do all day
Teddy Bear Interactive Storybook iPad App
The Digital Revolution in Children’s Publishing
Auryn animates illustrations for iPad
Pushpuck – adding to Hindu mythology
Umesh Shukla launches ‘Forgotten Tales‘ On iPhone & iPad
Diwali comic books out in time for holiday season
Tarak, Lahoo & Santhal: Forgotten Heroes from the Age of Ramayana
Lahoo – Online Comic based on little known Story of Lord Ram – Pushpuck Series
Pushpuck – Online Comic Book Based on the Forgotten Tales from Hindu Tradition
“RoadKlz” New 12 Inch Plush Animals
Tomopop Contest: The winner of our RoadKLZ limerick challenge!
Tomopop Review: RoadKLZ’s Zuzu plush
Interview with Auryn Founder Umesh Shukla
An impressionistic view of the Elephant Man
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
AppySmarts Editor’s Favorite Badge, “Where Do Balloons Go?”
Cybil Award finalist, “Where Do Balloons Go?”
School Library Journal 10 Best Apps of the Year – “Where Do Balloons Go?
Children’s App Review Matter of App Awards – best eBook for the storybook experience, “Teddy’s Day”
Tillwig Toy Awards Winner, Top Fun Award, “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
Tillwig Toy Awards Winner, Bright Eyes Award, “I, Trixie, Who is Dog”
Tillwig Toy Awards Winner, Bright Eyes Award, “Randy Kazandy – Where Are Your Glasses”
Mom’s Choice Award Winner, Gold – Apps & Software Ages 4 & up, “I, Trixie, Who is Dog”
AppMyWorld’s Best Kids iPad app of the week, “The Little Mermaid”
Webby Award Finalist, “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
MediaPost Appy Award Finalist, “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
USA Today 5 Best Amazing Kids Apps: “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
Wall Street Journal Digital Solutions Art App Pick: “Auryn Ink”
Parents Magazine/Parents.com Kids iPad App Roundup of Best Apps
Kirkus Reviews App Developers to Watch: Auryn, Inc.
SheKnows.com Best iPhone/iPad App for Kids: “Love You to the Moon and Back”
Appolicious Best interactive iPad eBooks for Kids of All Ages: “The Little Mermaid”
SheKnows.com Best iPhone/iPad Apps to Keep Kids Busy: “Winter is” and “Fruits for Little Lamb”
Variety Magazine and Producer’s Guild of American Digital 25 Top Innovator in Emerging Media
USA Today Children’s Book Top Apps: “Bunny Fun: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
USA Today Magical iPad Book Apps: “Teddy’s Day”
MSNBC Top Children’s Apps: “Bunny Fun: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
MediaPost First-ever Appy Award Winner, Best Book App: “Teddy’s Day”
Parents’ Choice Silver Honor: “The Little Mermaid”
Parents’ Choice Silver Honor: “Bunny Fun: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
Parents’ Choice Silver Honor: “Teddy’s Night”
Kirkus Reviews Remarkable Merit Kirkus Star: “The Little Mermaid”
Kirkus Reviews Remarkable Merit Kirkus Star: “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
Best Apps for Kids Distinguished Developer
Apps for Homeschooling App of the Month: “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
Beijing Kids 6 Best Storybook Apps to Delight Kids: “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
Apptudes Editor’s Choice Award: “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
SheKnows.com 5 Must-have iPad/iPhone Apps for Kids: “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers”
Digital Storytime 5-Star Review Award: “The Little Mermaid”
