Recently, a group of DTC students headed out to Portland, Oregon, for a multi-day professional development trip led by Professors June T. Sanders and Jacob Riddle. Over the course of the trip, students got an immersive look into four top creative design agencies—Nike, Instrument, Nemo, and Wieden+Kennedy—getting a firsthand glimpse into what it’s actually like to work in the design industry beyond the classroom and our small town of Pullman.
Each stop on the trip offered students a diverse experience and perspective, giving them a range of insights into the creative workspace.
At Nike, students got to step inside the sportswear giant’s creative hub, where they saw how design, marketing, and storytelling work together to shape one of the world’s most recognizable brands. They toured their campus and had the chance to hear from Nike creatives about what it’s like to work for such a massive brand. Conversations touched on everything from technical skills and abilities to job hiring and the challenges of keeping a legacy brand fresh and exciting.
Instrument had a completely different atmosphere, focusing on the design of technology and interactive user experience. The agency is known for working with companies like Google, Spotify, and Airbnb to create unique digital experiences. Students got a deep dive into how Instrument approaches user experience (UX) design, web development, and immersive storytelling to build engaging digital platforms. The team shared insights into how they use design to redefine how brands connect with their audiences online.
Stepping into Nemo felt like entering a creative playground. Known for its work with brands like The North Face, Burton, and Mattel, Nemo takes a more unconventional and playful approach to design. Students got to meet with designers and hear how they balance creativity with clients’ needs in order to push the boundaries of branding and visual storytelling. One of the biggest takeaways students had was the importance Nemo showed in building a workspace around collaboration and having fun with the creative process. Sometimes a mid-afternoon skate session or bike ride helps the creative juices flow.
The final stop was Wieden+Kennedy—one of the most influential advertising agencies in the world. This is the agency behind Nike’s “Just Do It” and Old Spice’s viral commercials. Sitting down with W+K designers, students got to ask about everything from breaking into the industry, workplace dynamics, and handling creative burnout. Students found it insightful to see the inner workings of such a large, influential agency where we, as consumers, only see the final product. They walked away with a deeper understanding of how storytelling can define a brand’s public image and cultural relevancy.
A major part of these experiences is that students get the opportunity to actively engage with industry professionals—asking questions, hearing personal career stories, and getting honest insights into the challenges of working in design. It’s one thing to learn about branding, storytelling, and creative strategy in class—it’s another to sit across from a designer and hear exactly how they got to where they are today.
Trips like this are more than just a break from campus and the classroom—they’re a way for students to see what is possible, make connections, and start thinking about their own paths after university. The DTC department is committed to continuing to provide these kinds of opportunities, and we’re looking forward to organizing more trips like this in the future. If you would like to help fund future trips like this, you can donate by visiting the Digital Technology and Culture Giving Page. Any contributions are greatly appreciated.
We owe a huge thank you to Nike, Instrument, Nemo, and Wieden+Kennedy for welcoming our students and sharing their time and insights—it was an incredible experience that we won’t forget!