W+K London is embarking on a journey to evolve its idea gene pool. We're going to create an educational centre, teaching bright, conceptual people how to think, plan, create and sell creative solutions for real life business problems.  The school will actively search to recruit talent from all walks of life. All they need to have is an inquisitive mind and a passion for solving problems.  These people can come from any background. Bricklayer, anthropologist, scientist, courier, fashion designer, musician, architect, psychologist, sculptor, shop assistant, historian, photographer, up and coming entrepreneur, dancer you name it, we want them!

We hit the road for a 9-day North American school trip. We were out to meet some folks whose education or creative businesses we admire. The trip started off with Sid Lee in Montreal

where their creative leader, Phil Meunier, gave us a guided tour.  We want to thank Phil for his hospitality and his wisdom and also for the mental image of him frolicking naked in the surf.

http://www.sidlee.com/

www.sidleecollective.com

After Montreal we headed to the mother ship, W+K Portland, where we met up with a pick 'n' mix assortment of WK 12ers past and present as well as Byron, Susan, Jinnina and Bill. The 12-ers, Loren, Matthew, Monica, Maclean, Elisa, Curtis and Stephen reported the highs and lows of their experience and we made lots of notes. Even the pasty looking Mr Will Holmes had stayed up for us, wrapped in his sick blanket.

 ‘Make something’ sign in W+K 12 area

Studio J in Portland

While in Portland we managed to bump in John Jay who very kindly took us around his studio in which he hosts salon style dinners with influential people from art, fashion, architecture etc. John Jay showed us a number of collaborations he is working on right now from designing and building houses to restaurants. Fascinating and inspiring stuff, so if you’re ever in Portland make sure to ask him about everything.

We took the time to meet up with Deb Morrison from the University of Oregon and 5 of her ad students. We headed down to the university’s beautiful, new White Stag building where we all enjoyed an indoor picnic with gigantic pickles. We love the programme Deb is responsible for with the students running their own agency in school. Big shout out to Alex, Tyler, Jack and ‘Sisters in Advertising’ Kim and Nicole. We were put on the spot with plenty of their questions.

Yet another plane ride and we were in San Francisco where we met up with Kevin Rothermel of Eleven Inc. Kev’s a graduate of the VCU Brandcenter, another education course we are fans of.

Next stop was 826 Valencia, San Francisco’s only Pirate Supply Store and cover for Dave Eggar’s non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students aged 6-18 with their creative writing and reading skills.

We stocked up on glass eye drops and a bookshelf full of McSweeney’s publications. We can see why kids love 826. Check out the whole project at http://www.826national.org/.

After a chaotic start at San Francisco airport we eventually arrived at LAX. Our lovely friend and client Mr Gregg Buchbinder of Emeco picked us up from the airport and gave us a bit of a tour of his hometown. Then over a spot of lunch we talked about some exciting up-and-coming projects for Emeco. Being in L.A. also gave us the opportunity to meet up with the good folk at Good magazine. Their main man Ben Goldhirsch along with creatives Beth and Chad all gave us their point of view on our school concept and explained what Good were up to.  There was even time to meet up with our old friend and ex W+K man Mr Eric ‘bunny ears’ Johnson and find out about his new music venture before it was time to come home.

Beth and Chad from Good Magazine

We’d like to thank everyone we met along the trip, for all their help and inspiration, we had a fabulous time.

And finally I’d personally like to not thank Shia Labeouf for being an absolute drunken plank on the flight home. And I don’t care how famous you are fella!