Built to Bring
Us Together
Reimagining the role of physical space in shaping culture, collaboration, and change.
WRITTEN BY LEON ANDERSON, PRESIDENT
Driven by Creativity, United by Impact
Portland thrives on creativity. It’s in our makers, our art, and our shared commitment to pushing bold ideas into the world. Whether to spark joy, drive change, or amplify a message, Portland’s artistic expression no bounds. As a design and tech agency founded and rooted here, Instrument carries this passion forward—not just in our work but in how we show up for our community.
One way we do this is through Build Week, a hackathon-style event that brings together underrepresented founders and Instrument talent in partnership with Vanport Studio, a Portland-based organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs with innovative resources, mentorship, and a dynamic support system. Their presence in our space brings fresh perspectives, builds meaningful connections, and fuels new ideas—like the dynamic brand identity we created for Henderson Ave, a new canned wine launching this summer, and the UI/UX work we did for Funnr, a platform designed to modernize social connections for kids.
I don't know that I could even articulate the impact that this experience will have for us. I have felt so blown away by every little moment. It's not even the actual changes that we're walking away with or the deliverables. For me, it has been this unleashing of this creative understanding of our user and the feeling we want them to go through.
Built for More
When we come together to create positive change in our local community, we also strengthen relationships within our own walls. That’s why we’ve transformed our HQ into a vibrant gathering place. From the beginning, the space has been open and welcoming to local groups, fostering collaboration and connection beyond our own teams. And as the world shifted and we embraced a hybrid future, we saw an opportunity to double down on the community-driven nature of our space. This has allowed us to further establish our PDX HQ as a dynamic hub for creativity, connection, and collaboration, while strengthening our ongoing commitment to the community.
Today, our atrium buzzes with energy as it hosts events that amplify design, innovation, and tech. In the past year alone, we’ve brought together diverse voices and ideas—from knowledge-sharing sessions with local talents like Melissa Casburn to thought-provoking founder talks from PIE and Built Oregon, and deep dives into the future of education with AI Portland. Furthered by our renewed partnership and support of TEDxPortland, we are creating intentional moments of connection that allow people to come together, collaborate, and share learning opportunities that fuel their creative spirits.
Where Roots Become Ripples
This commitment to fostering community connections goes beyond our physical space. We know that strengthening Portland’s creative community is part of our responsibility as an agency rooted here. That’s why we actively support businesses and organizations within our community—partnering to create an across-the-aisle agency cohort with our neighbors. Through these collaborations, we strive to inspire, engage, and uplift those who represent the present and future of Portland’s creative landscape.
Most of this work doesn’t have an immediate KPI or measurement that directly aligns with our strategic objectives—and that’s fine. Actually, it’s great. Because it’s in our DNA. Ultimately, it’s the shared passion, vision, and sense of community that we cultivate that helps turn Portland’s creative spark into a blazing force, making our city and community stand out from the rest.
