I’m a Creative Director based in North Carolina. For the past decade, I’ve been deep in the automotive world—dealership creative, agency work, OEM partnerships. I build brands, refine them, and, when necessary, tear them down to create something better. Before that, I advised a college media program, overseeing everything from print to digital, video to publication design.
The best creative work isn’t just seen… it’s felt. The kind that sparks nostalgia, even for places that never existed. I love designing posters, album covers, and apparel that capture that feeling. Bold colors, sharp type, work that stands out instead of blending in.
But at the end of the day, the titles that matter most? Husband. Dad. Everything else is just part of the story.
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Infrequently Asked Questions
Why is your website called DPHURDLE?
My website URL, DPHURDLE, is a play on my real name, though I’ve always gone by Pete. The name has history—my dad ran his own jewelry shop under the same name, and my grandfather was the original. Creativity runs in the family, and all three of us have been makers in our own way.
What’s Up with the TaB Obsession?
TaB was Coca-Cola’s first diet soda, introduced in 1963. Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by its advertising, design, and, of course, its incredible taste. Sadly, TaB was discontinued in 2019—a loss so devastating that I was even interviewed on CBS Nightly News to talk about it. While nothing quite matches the taste of an ice-cold TaB, I channel my passion into collecting vintage advertisements, cans, and marketing materials.
What Do You Love About Being a Creative Director?
For me, the most rewarding part of being a Creative Director is mentoring and developing less-experienced designers. Before pursuing design, I dreamed of becoming a middle school social studies teacher (my mom has been an educator for most of her life), and while that path is behind me, I did get the chance to teach Digital Media as an adjunct professor at UNC Charlotte.