TUALATIN — Nike founder Phil Knight plans to build a campus in this Portland suburb to house Laika Entertainment, the animation studio he bought in 2003.

Laika, which was known as Vinton Studios when Knight acquired it, employs fewer than 200 people now, but expects to hire another 400 in the next two years as it produces a pair of theatrical features, The Oregonian reported in its Wednesday editions.

In an interview with the newspaper, Knight said he wants Laika to compete with Pixar Animation Studios, the company behind hit films such as ``Toy Story'' and ``Cars.''

Knight said he is still learning about the film industry and figuring out what tools are necessary for success, much like he did in the early days of Nike.

``There's not really a textbook on either one of these businesses,'' he said. ``You're kind of inventing it as you go along.''

Laika, now based in Portland, will build its new studios and offices on vacant land in a Tualatin office park, hoping the campus will lure talented animators to the state. At 30 acres, the campus would be less than half the size of Nike's campus near Beaverton. The studio considered staying in Portland, but couldn't find a suitable site, said Anne Mangan, creative services liaison for the Portland Development Commission.

Mangan said Laika wanted either a large spot where it could move immediately or an even bigger piece of vacant land that it could develop to fit its preferences.

Laika's first film, ``Coraline,'' is in production and due for release in 2008. Laika Entertainment will partner with Focus Features to distribute the movie, which will feature the voices of young actress Dakota Fanning and ``Desperate Housewives'' star Teri Hatcher.