Skip to content

George Fox University Highlights Watson Creative

Author
Matt Watson

Every creative studio has an origin story. Ours starts with a Gatorade bucket, a stack of rubber bands, and a dog wandering through a photo shoot.

That moment—equal parts chaos and collaboration—was captured in a feature article by George Fox Journal in 2014. Written by Jeremy Lloyd and titled Business by Design, the profile dove into the journey of Matt Watson: a George Fox MBA grad, former Nike creative, and founder of what was then a scrappy start-up agency.

A lot has changed since then. But the DNA remains the same.

CLICK: George Fox University Magazine // BUSINESS BY DESIGN

‍

“As a George Fox University graduate, It’s an honor to be featured in George Fox Journal,” said Watson. “The professors at GFU taught me important lessons on ethics, composure, and belief, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. It’s a pleasure to share this success with readers of the Journal.”

From the Swoosh to the Starting Line

Matt’s path to founding Watson wasn’t a straight shot from corporate to creative independence. It was a leap made in the middle of a storm: leaving Nike just as his father was diagnosed with cancer and his first child was on the way. He had a vision for a different kind of creative studio—one that would blend high-caliber design with grounded business thinking—but no guarantee it would work.

What he did have was a background that married art and commerce: a BFA from Oregon State, a decade designing at Nike, and an MBA from George Fox University that sharpened his thinking around ethics, leadership, and enterprise strategy. He credits much of the studio’s backbone to his time at GFU.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the lessons I learned at George Fox. Ethics. Composure. Belief. Those things don’t just live in textbooks. They show up in the way we treat clients, how we run meetings, how we weather hard seasons.” – Matt Watson

A Studio Built on Design Thinking

The George Fox article called it “business by design,” and that phrase still captures what we do best. It’s not just about making things look good. It’s about using design to solve real business problems. That means:

  • Thinking like strategists
  • Working like designers
  • Delivering like operators

We believe great design isn’t aesthetic frosting. It’s infrastructure. It’s how you earn trust, build loyalty, and stand out in markets where attention spans are short and skepticism is high.

From Rock Bottom to the Big Leagues

The profile didn’t sugarcoat the early years. There were moments when Watson Creative was operating on fumes—living off savings, teaching night classes, running on coffee and conviction. There were only two clients in the early days: a projector company and a home remodeling firm. No website. No marketing. Just referrals, handshakes, and the promise of better work.

And somehow, that was enough. One client led to another. One handshake led to a stadium.

A connection with the Kansas City Chiefs turned into a loyalty platform for NFL fans. That led to the 49ers, Broncos, Sounders, Bruins, and others. The studio began helping teams—and their fans—connect more deeply through digital experiences, game-day rewards, and content that actually meant something.

“That’s where I think our studio is different. What we offer isn’t just beautiful design—it hits the bottom line.” – Matt Watson

Beyond Sports

Yes, we’ve built platforms for major league teams. But 70% of our work lives outside the sports world. From building community platforms for hospitals and public agencies, to helping global nonprofits reimagine their identities, to redesigning education and healthcare campaigns—we’ve stayed industry-agnostic for a reason.

We’re drawn to clients with purpose. Brands that want to grow and do good. Projects that challenge us to learn something new and leave things better than we found them.

It’s part of what keeps the team sharp. As Matt said in the George Fox Journal, “Right now I’m working on a laundry company, a soda brand, and a hospital system. It’s weird stuff. But it’s so fun.”

‍

Values Over Vanity Metrics

Looking back on that moment—nine people jammed into a 300-square-foot space—it’s easy to romanticize the hustle. But what we take the most pride in isn’t the growth, the awards, or the high-profile clients. It’s the how.

  • We built the company without compromising our values.
  • We lead with relationships, not transactions.
  • We create systems that support creativity and sanity.
  • We’re not afraid to say no when the fit’s not right.

And we still find time to laugh. Sometimes at ourselves.

Paying It Forward

The George Fox profile spotlighted the importance of mentorship in Matt’s journey—especially from Professor Deb Sepich, a fellow entrepreneur who taught with both grit and grace. That thread of mentorship runs through the studio to this day.

We’ve taught classes, hosted interns, served on boards, and helped guide other founders. We believe that design thinking, when shared generously, has a ripple effect. And we’re proud to be a touchpoint for students and professionals alike who are figuring out how to build brands and live good lives.

From Feature Story to Living System

Being featured in George Fox Journal was an honor. But it was never the destination. It was a checkpoint. A snapshot of who we were becoming.

Now, years later, we’re still becoming.

We’re still pushing our thinking.

Still refining our systems.

Still chasing the thrill of solving strange, meaningful problems.

And if that means another photo shoot with a Gatorade bucket and a few rogue office dogs? We’re game.

Let’s build something real.

‍

About Watson Creative Watson Creative is a design-led business consultancy firm based in Portland, Oregon. Founded by Matt Watson, a design expert with 11 years experience with Nike, Watson Creative offers a wide range of business-led design services, including brand management and strategy, rebranding services, web design, VIP and athlete branding, and business strategy.
www.watsoncreative.com

About George Fox University George Fox University (GFU) is a Christian college of liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies located in Newberg, Oregon. The private school has more than 3,500 students, combined between its main campus in Newberg and its centers in Portland, Salem and Redmond. Graduate studies include psychology, business, education, counseling, physical therapy and seminary.www.GeorgeFox.edu

‍

‍

Back to Insights

We’re designers, writers, developers, marketers, filmmakers, strategists and musicians. We’re parents, mentors, volunteers, MBAs, and unapologetic dreamers anchored on the West Coast, united by a passion for design that’s as thrilling as the landscapes we inhabit.

PORTLAND

1001 SE Water Ave.
Portland, OR 97214

SAUSALITO

480 Gate 5 Rd.
Sausalito, CA 94965

BEND

2900 NW Clearwater Dr.
Bend, OR 97703

SEATTLE

408 North 35th St.
Seattle, WA 98103

Core Values

Integrity first.
Anticipate the need.
Every voice counts.
Innovate over invent.

Contact

[email protected]

(800) 280–3057