about m.e. | visual branding solutions for small business and startups

Matt Everley, Graphic Designer and Packaging Expert

Meet Your Newest Graphic Design and Branding Partner

Matt Everley is a seasoned creative director and brand strategist with over two decades of experience developing visual identities and marketing solutions for nationally recognized brands, Fortune 500 companies, and global agencies.

As the founder of m.e.designlab, Matt leads an elite studio of creative professionals who specialize in high-impact branding, art direction, and digital experience design. His work spans logo and identity systems, brand development, and integrated marketing campaigns—delivering measurable results for clients across retail, hospitality, consumer goods, and professional services.

Design Agency & Brand Experience

Matt’s career was forged in the competitive world of full-service advertising, where he rose through the ranks at respected agencies before moving into senior creative leadership. His ability to translate complex brand narratives into compelling, conversion-driven creative has provided clients of all sizes with strategic approaches that balance aesthetic excellence with business performance.

With over 25 years of experience in marketing communications, web design and brand development, Matt has been employed for one of the largest advertising agencies in the world—OgilvyOne, and the smallest—himself. He’s worked on national and international accounts for the likes of Tyco, IBM, and Allscripts to name a few.

Matt has directed creative for brands across a wide range of industries, with deep experience serving the needs of Marketing Directors, Creative Directors, and Owners at both small businesses and large enterprises alike. His international portfolio includes resort and hospitality branding and art direction for Divi Resorts, a Caribbean brand with properties on multiple islands, where he served as a key creative partner managing brand consistency across markets.

Creative Philosophy

Matt’s approach is rooted in the belief that great design is a business tool, not just a visual exercise. Every engagement begins with a clear understanding of brand goals, audience behavior, and competitive landscape—ensuring that creative output drives real business outcomes. His process is collaborative, transparent, and built for scale.

Whether guiding a full brand overhaul for a small to medium-sized business, or art directing a multi-channel campaign for a national powerhouse, Matt brings the same level of strategic thinking and creative precision that major brands demand.

Design Education & Credentials

Matt holds a degree in Graphic Communications with a minor in Design from NC State University. He has traveled extensively across the US, Caribbean, Europe, and beyond—bringing a global perspective and cross-cultural fluency to every brand challenge.

Matt has obtained multiple awards for design, direct mail, packaging and corporate identity systems, including an ARDA Finalist Award for Integrated Marketing, a Platinum “Crushie” from CBMA, multiple GDUSA American Graphic Design Awards, and 4 Golden Web Awards from IAWMD.

Howdy!

I’m Matt Everley, and this is my handy-dandy web site and lab space for creative experiments. My small web and graphic design studio is m.e.designlab—where select colleagues and I solve marketing problems by creating visual enjoyment for all ages. We develop creative solutions for branding projects through art direction, logo design, web sites and marketing collateral for clients and businesses of all shapes and sizes. No graphic design job is too large or too small, so let’s talk.

The Business Side

Whether you are a Marketing Director for a small to medium-sized business, a Creative Director for an advertising agency, or a solo entrepreneur with a start-up idea, we’ll work with you to deliver outstanding creative solutions with measurable results. Let us help you determine the best solutions for your company and your budget—not what is going to make the most money for m.e. Relationships while working with others and take the time to get to know my clients on a personal level.

The Personal Side

I’m an NC native and a family man—I am married to my beautiful wife Lauren and we have three wonderful girls. I like to think I’m an all-around good guy. I’m honest and try to be as up front as possible with everyone I interact with. I love God and this world we live in, and have worked with many Christian and Non-profit organizations. I am always looking to learn new things and continuously read the latest design and marketing books to quench my thirst for knowledge and to stay on the cutting edge of this ever-changing industry.

I love tootsie pops and craft beer. (Well, not together, but wouldn’t that make a great collaboration brew?) I am amazed and inspired by nature. And unlike a lot of people my age, I actually like to exercise.

I conceived a design project called Beer-Type Logos, where I designed 52 font-inspired craft beer logos—one per week for an entire year. I also have a craft beer podcast with two of my friends called 3 Beers Down. We review beer and talk about all sorts of interesting stuff. It’s North Carolina’s go-to podcast for craft beer culture… you should really check it out!

The Travel Side

I love to travel. Seeing as much of this world as I can makes me happy. I’ve traveled all over the place for business and art direction: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Kansas, New York and Las Vegas—as well as the Caribbean: Barbados, St. Maarten, Aruba St. Croix, and most recently Puerto Rico. I’ll travel for you as well!

I’ve backpacked throughout Europe twice and have been all up and down the East Coast. I’ve also been to Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, Colorado, and Nicaragua, but that’s just not enough!

History

I graduated in Graphic Communications with a minor in Design from NC State University—Go Pack! I began my career as a print designer and production artist, but most of my work today is web design and brand development. I started m.e.designlab in 2002 while living in Chapel Hill, NC and working for a small B2B ad agency in Raleigh, NC called The Art Group where I started as an intern and worked my way through the ranks to art director. I moonlighted on nights and weekends for a few great clients over the years and was constantly (to my wife’s chagrin) working on the computer—learning front-end web development and honing my graphic design skills. After 6 years with the agency, I decided to leave to pursue my career elsewhere and explore the advertising world. I continued to build a client list in the RTP area and picked up a steady freelance gig as an art director with OgilvyOne in Durham working 10-15 hours a week and focusing the rest of my time on my own design studio. Meanwhile, I was also hired as a part-time graphic designer for Divi Resorts. During all of this, my wife and I were busy with a new baby girl and since I had no ties to an actual desk, we were free to move about as we pleased. So naturally, we headed home to Hickory where we’ve been ever since!

From Built Creative Team

Matt has over 25 years of experience in marketing communications, web design and brand development. He has been employed for one of the largest advertising agencies in the world—Ogilvy & Mather, and the smallest—himself. He’s worked on national and international accounts for the likes of Tyco, IBM, Allscripts and Divi Resorts to name a few. He holds a BA in Graphic Communications and a Minor in Design from NC State University, graduating Cum Laude. His knowledge of the internet, dynamic content, graphic design and printing processes gives him an overall roundness which provides a unique fit with Built Creative. Matt has obtained multiple awards for design, direct mail, packaging and corporate identity systems, including an ARDA Finalist Award for Integrated Marketing, GDUSA American Graphic Design Awards, and Golden Web Awards from IAWMD.