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Project Blue Sky accelerates climate-focused design projects during a unique multi-week experience
This is your excuse to finally take that design project to the next level
Project Blue Sky is the result of x 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 will provide 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
Weeks 1–?: Virtual
DATES
Programming includes: connecting with PBS cohort and advisors, initial project share outs from cohort, feedback, and presentations from speakers discussing topics such as XYZ
Accelerate your climate-focused design project
Weeks ?: Off-site in New Cuyama, CA
DATES
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 invite the PBS cohort to do the same to ensure we 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
Weeks X–X: Virtual
DATES HERE
Light virtual programming continues based on what was discussed during the off-site.
Advisors from the off-site, along with new advisors that we'll match you with based on your project, will provide office hours to get your project over the finish line.
Share your work with the world
DATES HERE
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.
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“Project Blue Sky was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the power of Thinking Wrong.”
- Wasim A
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Apply today
👇
Apply today 👇
Change the trajectory of your career by applying to our upcoming session
WHEN
MTH ?? – MTH ??
APPLY BY MTH ??
WHERE
New Cuyama, CA
About 3 hours north of Los Angeles
in Santa Barbara County
Held at Blue Sky Center in
the beautiful Cuyama Valley
COST
$1,???–$2,???
Includes:
lodging, nightly meals,
project materials
APPLICATION DETAILS
+ Your bio
+ Current location
+ How did you hear about Project Blue Sky
+ Website and/or LinkedIn
+ Your skills, expertise, talents
+ Why you want to be a part of Project Blue Sky
+ Climate solution(s) you excited about and why
+ The most dangerous thing you've ever done
+ Your perspective on our future
Send your application to hello@climatedesigners.org with the subject: Project Blue Sky app
We suggest applying ASAP so we can review your application in a timely manner.
We'll get back to you to set up an interview call.
Our advisors bring various skills, lived experiences, frameworks, and resources to Project Blue Sky
Rachel Cellinese
Chapter Lead,
Climate Designers
Los Angeles
Marc O’Brien
Co-Founder,
Climate Designers
John Bielenberg
Founder, Project M,
Co-Founder, Thinknado
Kiera Smith
Design Researcher, verynice
Chris Do
CEO & Founder,
The Futur
Brandt Williams
Co-Founder,
Thinknado
Louise Wilson
SVP Partnerships,
Futerra
Amy Williams
Co-Founder,
MAPxGuild
Get notifications for future Project Blue Sky workshops
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
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“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.