W+K hires Jacek and Morioka to head design studio

Global creative agency Wieden+Kennedy has hired design veterans Nicole Jacek and Noreen Morioka as heads of design, leading its 100+ person Portland design studio.

Jacek [above right] and Morioka [above left] will oversee client projects, creative direction and business development for the growing design studio, which has recently completed projects for Nike, KFC and Airbnb.

The duo is relocating to Portland from Los Angeles, where Jacek has been running her own design agency NJ(L.A.) since 2013, focusing on creating high-value brand experiences and communication platforms for clients such as Adobe, Nike and The New York Times. Projects include the redesign of GOOD Magazine and the restructuring and brand building of the ADC Young Guns. Morioka has been creative directing San Francisco-based Japanese luxury skincare line Tatcha as Chief Creative Officer, prior to joining Wieden+Kennedy.

“We couldn’t be happier to join one of the most exciting companies in the creative industry,” said Jacek. “We can’t wait to share our combined experiences with an amazing team of talented individuals at W+K, creating great work and challenging culture with brands that appreciate the power of creativity and design. We feel so lucky to have this unique opportunity as a team to build a pop-culture platform—working with some of our most favorite people, ECDs Jason and Eric, who we absolutely adore.”

“As we continue to invest in our design studio, Nicole and Noreen were exactly the type of provocative, world-class design leaders we were looking for," said Jason Bagley, ECD, Wieden+Kennedy Portland. "They understand the impact creativity and design thinking can have on brands and culture. But almost more importantly, they have a track record of building strong teams, and nurturing, attracting and developing amazing talent. We could not be more excited to add them to the family.”

“The design studio at W+K is the agency's secret weapon - the contributions these designers have made to the culture and work is extraordinary,” said Morioka. “We intend to further cultivate that, while continuing to elevate design, and help adapt W+K culture and inspire the future of creative to succeed in today’s changing creative landscape. W+K has helped brands become modern, world-class marketers from day one, and our design offering is no different. Let’s go!”