Chad Sugg
Designer / Illustrator / Stop-Motion Animator
Chattanooga, TN
www.expo86.co
instagram @chadwsugg @expo86co
Q What do you do?
“I’m a (mostly) optimistic human that specializes in creativity through brand design, illustration, and stop-motion animation. I work with brands of all sizes to cultivate fandom & sincerity.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I went to college for Mass Communications, and dropped out because 1) it was slow & teaching me nothing I hadn’t already learned on my own because I was a self-starter, and 2) I had a successful music career launch thanks to everyone’s fav original social network - MYSPACE.
Did the music thing for a decade (designed for myself and others along the way), had a kid, stopped touring, started a small career as an account executive at a merchandise company, had more kids, had a major heart attack and decided to do what I really want with my life, and finally launched my own solo creative studio in 2021. Never looked back and couldn’t be happier!
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I approach every single project from the viewer’s perspective. “What would I want to see as a fan of this brand/product/etc?” is the question I ask most. I’m an avid-devourer of pop culture and nostalgia, so I already have my hand on the pulse of the cultural zeitgeist, and I use that interest/knowledge to help brands elevate their own world.
Q What are you working on right now?
A handful of very different projects. A stop-motion animated bumper for a global brand, a live-action UGC video for a children’s consumer product, and a branding suite for an nascent marketing agency.
Q What’s your style?
I lean toward authentic with a dash of nostalgia. Whether it’s a healthy dose of analog presented in a digital format, or just a small callout in a final asset that only the most die-hard fans would notice. It’s these small details that I feel make things special. I can see myself in these things, and I hope the audience can see themselves in them, too.
Here’s a project that leans into my favorite style - I did the full design for the products, and then did the creative direction for the case study/photography.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Licensed Consumer Products. I love working with new and legacy IP, so any chance to bring some great property to life is very exciting to me.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Generative AI. It’s interesting to play with, but let’s go ahead and get it out of here as far as even considering it for final assets. AI absolutely has a place in helping craft the usefulness of digital tools, but as far as creating on its own, let’s save that for the humans.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I’d have them search eBay for me for cool nostalgic items from the 60s-90s. I get a lot of inspo from that. Forgotten treasures can ending being great creative fuel.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
When I was about 8 I threw away all of my Real Ghostbusters packaging I had saved from all my toys I had ever gotten of the series. I had collected them all for some reason I couldn’t understand, but now I know it’s because I love design and packaging. I threw them all away because I they were taking up space. I REGRET IT OFTEN.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
An expert on psychology. I love learning why we do the things we do.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
• Branding for new businesses
• Brand refresh/rebrands for existing brands
• Social-First stop-motion animation for brands looking for original, engaging content
• Packaging for CPG
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I’d love to create anything for Stranger Things. It’s my personal fav. Working within the IP would be amazing.
Q: What is your rate?
Branding: in the $1,500 - $10,000 range (depends on if you just need a logo, or a full brand guidelines suite)
Stop-Motion Animation: starts in the $3000 - $5000 range for short-form (up to :15)
Illustration: starts at $500 - $1500 depending on the style needed
Way more capabilities, feel free to reach out to discuss.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Send an email to me at chad@expo86design.com
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Spooky Woods @spooky__woods, and Dior The Artist @diortheartist.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
My wife & kids + caffeinated tea.
This member profile was originally published in August 2025.