Project Blue Sky accelerates climate-focused design projects during a unique multi-week experience
Your excuse to finally take that design project to the next level
Project Blue Sky is the result of over 20 years of combined experience from world-class / award-winning designers, artists, climate activists, misfits and others who defy the gravitational pull of the status-quo.
Project Blue Sky provides you with an inspiring environment, dedicated time, and the right people to focus on pushing your work, and yourself, to new boundaries. This experience is about stretching beyond your comfort zone, embracing ambiguity, and trusting the process, while building deep connections with others.
Time to gear up your creative work
Phase 1: Virtual Prep
Online programming includes: connecting with previous PBS cohort and advisors, initial project share outs from past sessions, and presentations from speakers.
Accelerate your climate-focused design project
Phase 2: One week off-site in New Cuyama, CA
Bring your climate-specific design project to work on in a fun, collaborative environment. Have the heads down time and the support needed to push your project forward.
Our advisors will share frameworks, resources, and feedback. We'll tap into the collective hive mind of the group.
Learn unique frameworks
During the off-site, we'll share various creative frameworks such as Thinking Wrong, Rapid Prototyping, Thinknado, and more. Apply what you learn to your project as well as your other projects.
Finishing up your work
Phase 3: Virtual Wrap Up
Light virtual programming continues based on what was discussed during the off-site.
Advisors from the off-site, along with new advisors, will provide office hours to get your project over the finish line.
Share your work with the world
Phase 4: Share Out
Present your work to the Climate Designers community, design leaders, and climate experts. After you share your work, we'll place participants into Breakout Rooms so those joining can provide specific feedback on your project.
“Project Blue Sky was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the power of Thinking Wrong.”
- Wasim A
Interested?
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Interested? 👇
Sign up to get notified when we launch the next Project Blue Sky session
Our advisors bring various skills, lived experiences, frameworks, and resources to Project Blue Sky
Marc O’Brien
Co-Founder,
Climate Designers
Rachel Cellinese
Chapter Lead,
Climate Designers
Los Angeles
Kiera Smith
Design Researcher, verynice
John Bielenberg
Founder, Project M,
Co-Founder, Thinknado
Chris Do
CEO & Founder,
The Futur
Louise Wilson
SVP Partnerships,
Futerra
Brandt Williams
Co-Founder,
Thinknado
Amy Williams
Co-Founder,
MAPxGuild
Immerse yourself at Blue Sky Center, a rural, place-based nonprofit organization
The mission of our parters at Blue Sky Center is to strengthen the rural community within the Cuyama Valley by supporting entrepreneurs and building regional creative and economic resources
“I feel like I walked away from the week reinvigorated, full of ideas for my work, and excited to start applying elements in my company as quickly as possible.”
- Kaylyn B
Join a global community
Project Blue Sky participants will receive a complimentary year-long membership to Climate Designers. This allows you to participate in all of the global member events alongside the rest of the Climate Designers community.
Events and offerings include: attending live podcast recordings, design chats based on specialty, show & tell opportunities, and more.
FAQ
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Participants are inspired by the natural surroundings, engage with the New Cuyama community, have deep philosophical conversations under the stars, share insights, discoveries, and new ideas each night around the dinner table, stay up late working, chilling next to a campfire, dancing our butts off on an airstrip at midnight.
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+ 9am: Morning meeting / Studio time
+ 10am: Studio time / Explore area
+ 12pm: Lunch
+ 1pm: Explore area
+ 4pm: Regroup / Studio time
+ 7pm: Group Dinner / Share out
+ 9pm: Studio time / Campfire / Relax -
We’re looking for graphic designers, industrial designers, fashion designers, software designers, illustrators, behavior designers, UX/UI designers, filmmakers, interior designers, interaction designers, motion designers, architects, visual designers — any kind of designer pushing for climate action in their work. Students and professionals alike are welcome to join.
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Projects from previous Climate Designers and Project M workshops range in areas such as environmental conservation, food systems, economic development, and more. Some of these projects have grown into sustainable businesses with the help of partner organizations.
Project Blue Sky will kick off with a focus on regional water issues in the New Cuyama area. We also welcome other project ideas if they happen to surface throughout the week.
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That depends on what the team decides. Estimation is about 2–3 hours per person.
Roles and responsibilities will be figured out before the off-site ends so people know what they need to do to ensure project completion before the Pitch Day. -
Yes! We encourage early submission. The sooner you submit, the sooner we can review your application.
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Cost includes; lodging, nightly meals, project materials, and facilitation.
Travel to and from New Cuyama as well as incidental expenses are not included in the cost.
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On top of the Think Wrong methodology, you'll learn things like; user research, rapid prototyping, how to collaborate with a cross-discipline team, storytelling, thought leadership material, and more.
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Spots are limited to 12 participants
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Great! Consider this “professional development”. We suggest that you ask your manager if you can use this as an opportunity to level up various skills like creative problem solving, collaboration, and rapid prototyping.
Everything you learn, you will be able to take back and apply to your own work.
This is also a great opportunity for your company to promote the work you did during Project Blue Sky internally and externally. -
We are partnering up with Blue Sky Center to host as it provides a great backdrop for the week. Its location, surroundings, and amenities make for a perfect setting for a week-long climate-focused workshop.
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“Project Blue Sky was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the power of Thinking Wrong. From interacting with hospitable residents of the beautiful Cuyama Valley to participating in mindset-altering exercises, the workshop presented unforgettable moments, insightful conversations, and expert advice, creating an exceptional learning environment for aspiring changemakers!
I highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on problem-solving and making an impact.”
- Wasim A
“The Climate Designers and Project M team have created this sort of magic-like experience that is a bit hard to wrap your head around and describe. I feel like I walked away from the week reinvigorated, full of ideas for my work, and excited to start applying elements in my company as quickly as possible.There is something about being embedded in a new environment with like-minded folks that can’t be beat. The community built in just one week is amazing.”
- Kaylyn B
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No worries. We have another one in OCT 2024.
Workshop, OCT 5 – OCT 13
Virtual Pitch Day, OCT 21Applications due by AUG 24
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We require everyone to send us proof of vaccination along with the latest booster shot.