A LITTLE ABOUT US
HAL NEAL
Hal has created impactful graphic communication for clients such as the original Charlotte Hornets, the Carolina Panthers, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Discovery Place, Jacobsen, Wells Fargo Championship, Ally, Kontoor Brands, Raytheon and Collins Aerospace. With over 40 years of experience as a graphic designer and art director, he has a B. S. Degree in Art Studio from the University of South Carolina, and worked for ten years as art director for Kothe Howard & Roche Advertising before starting Neal Studio in 1994. Hal has a passion for building strong brand identities and compelling communication. He’s both a designer/illustrator and a creative team manager, with easy fluidity between these two roles. For Feetures Performance Socks, he spent 15+ years building the look of an emerging international running sock brand, from logo to packaging, merchandising displays to trade show booths, website to ads to print collateral – offering a turnkey solution, thanks to his versatility and creative range. His Hugo the Hornet designs and Carolina Panthers calligraphy proved to be iconic, long-lived fan favorites. His graphic style can be powerful or elegant, fun or thought provoking. Hal invites an immersive approach when working with clients. He sees the importance of having his team sit down with you to discuss your products or services in order to fully understand what you do and what you sell. He develops graphic communication based on this thorough understanding.
TAYLOR NEAL
Taylor Neal is a graphic designer and motion graphics designer at Neal Studio. She received a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts at Winthrop University and was Apple-certified in Final Cut Pro editing software at seventeen years old. While working at Neal Studio, Taylor has had the opportunity to create numerous motion/animated projects for a variety of clients. She has also done voiceover work for Coca-Cola Consolidated. More recently, Taylor has worked on March Madness ad campaigns and an interactive learning seminar for newly hired employees.
When she’s not working in the studio, Taylor is typically spending time with her family and her cat, Sadie. She’s an avid reader, Nintendo gamer and rollercoaster enthusiast. Her favorite author is John Green, and she rereads his novel “The Fault in Our Stars” at least once a year. Oh, and of course - she always starts her day with a big cup of coffee.
CANDACE NEAL PAPPAS
Candace is an illustrator, graphic designer, writer, and actor who recently relocated back to Charlotte following a twelve year stint in Orlando, FL. After two decades of working as a professional actor across the country (Walt Disney World Entertainment, Universal Orlando Resort, Lake Dillon Theatre Company, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and more), Candace is thrilled to transfer her creative pursuits from the stage to the page.
Candace holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Theatre and has enjoyed marrying the world of performing arts with digital design in the last several years. She has illustrated two children’s books as well as conceptualized, scripted, and illustrated four original Young People’s Concerts and multiple orchestral programs for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Candace believes deeply in the power of art and its ability to heal, communicate, entertain, bring forth social change, and renew the soul.
Candace is a coffee enthusiast who enjoys spending time with her husband and two sweet kids, all things Fall-related, queso, and reruns of The Office. She considers herself very lucky to work alongside her creative and talented family each and every day.
BRIAN DEESE
With more than 30 years of experience in the creative field, Brian has utilized his strong graphic design and video post-production skills to create compelling brand experiences for some of the world’s largest professional sports and non-profit organizations.
With his work recognized for its creativity as well as its results, Brian has applied his creative talents across two continents with such notable clients as the NBA’s Charlotte/New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets franchise, the PGA’s Wells Fargo Championship, the MLS Colorado Rapids, Derby County Football Club, Fan Compass, Goodwill Industries, United Way and National Gypsum.
Brian’s work as a designer is fueled by his passion for art, music, sports and electronics. He has an edgy wit and a penchant for telling it like it is, which shines through in his work. Brian’s unwillingness to settle for something less than perfect makes a real difference to his clients as they seek to rise above the common clutter in the marketplace.
In his video work, Brian brings a movie director’s eye and ear when it comes to achieving just the right mood, whether it’s a playful whiteboard style or a piece for a charity that really tugs at the heartstrings.
When Brian isn’t making great art, he enjoys traveling to new places, playing his guitar, and spending time with his wife, daughter, family and friends. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Winthrop University, with a specialization in Graphic Design.