George Fox University Highlights Watson Creative

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Every creative studio has an origin story. Ours begins with a Gatorade bucket, a stack of rubber bands, and a dog wandering through a photo shoot. The moment—equal parts chaos and collaboration—was captured in a 2014 George Fox Journal feature written by Jeremy Lloyd. Titled Business by Design, the profile explored the early journey of Matt Watson: George Fox MBA graduate, former Nike creative, and founder of what was then a fledgling start-up studio.

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

CLICK: George Fox University Magazine // BUSINESS BY DESIGN

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“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 linear transition from corporate work to creative independence. It was a leap made in the midst of a storm—leaving Nike just as his father was diagnosed with cancer and his first child was on the way. He envisioned a different kind of studio, one that blended high-caliber design with grounded business strategy, though there was no certainty it would succeed.

What he did have was a hybrid foundation: a BFA from Oregon State, a decade as a Nike designer, and an MBA from George Fox that sharpened his thinking around leadership, ethics, and enterprise. 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 Journal called it “business by design,” and the phrase still captures our essence. It isn’t about making things look good—it’s about using design to solve real business challenges. That means:

Thinking like strategists
Working like designers
Delivering like operators

Great design isn’t decoration. It is infrastructure—how brands earn trust, build loyalty, and stand apart in markets defined by speed and skepticism.

From Rock Bottom to the Big Leagues

The early years were far from glamorous. Watson Creative ran on savings, night classes, and conviction. In those first months, there were only two clients: a projector company and a home remodeling firm. No website. No marketing. Just referrals, handshakes, and the promise of better work ahead.

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

A connection with the Kansas City Chiefs grew into a loyalty platform for NFL fans. That momentum carried into work with the 49ers, Broncos, Sounders, Bruins, and others—helping teams deepen their relationships with fans through digital experiences, game-day rewards, and content that mattered.

“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

While we’ve built platforms for major league teams, nearly 70% of our work extends beyond the sports world. We partner with hospitals, public agencies, global nonprofits, and educational institutions. We redesign systems, reimagine brands, and shape campaigns that support community, growth, and purpose.

We’re drawn to clients who want to build responsibly—who value impact as much as innovation. As Matt told 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.”

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Values Over Vanity Metrics

Looking back on nine people squeezed into a 300-square-foot space, it’s tempting to romanticize the grind. But what we value most is not the scale, the awards, or the high-profile partnerships. It is 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 say no when the fit isn’t right.

And we still find time to laugh—often at ourselves.

Paying It Forward

The profile emphasized the importance of mentorship in Matt’s journey, especially from Professor Deb Sepich—an entrepreneur who led with both grit and grace. That value continues to shape the studio today.

We mentor, teach, host interns, serve on boards, and support other founders. We believe design thinking, when shared generously, has a ripple effect. And we’re proud to be a touchpoint for students and professionals learning how to build brands—and lives—they can stand behind.

From Feature Story to Living System

Being featured in George Fox Journal was an honor, but it was never the destination—only a snapshot of who we were becoming.

Years later, we are still becoming.
Still refining our systems.
Still pushing our thinking.
Still chasing the thrill of solving strange, meaningful problems.

And if that journey includes another photo shoot with a Gatorade bucket and a few unruly office dogs? We’re ready.

Let’s build something real.

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About Watson Creative

Watson Creative is a design-led business consultancy based in Portland, Oregon. Founded by Matt Watson, an experienced Nike creative, the studio delivers brand strategy, identity, digital design, rebranding, VIP and athlete branding, web design, and business strategy services.
www.watsoncreative.com

About George Fox University

George Fox University (GFU) is a Christian institution offering liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies across campuses in Newberg, Portland, Salem, and Redmond. With more than 3,500 students, GFU offers graduate programs in psychology, business, education, counseling, physical therapy, and seminary studies.
www.GeorgeFox.edu

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