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Project Blue Sky is a unique two-week experience to create climate-positive work that blooms out of the Cuyama Valley of California

It’s not a conference. It’s better than a retreat. And it’s more than just a design project

Project Blue Sky is about stretching beyond your comfort zone, embracing ambiguity, and trusting the process, while building deep connections with others.

Work on a real-world challenge

Off-site, APR 27 – MAY 5

Spend a week in New Cuyama and be inspired by the people and places you visit.

Create a new project for your climate portfolio and unearth potential entrepreneurial opportunities.

Learn from and collaborate with experts

We’ll incorporate various creative frameworks such as Thinking Wrong, Rapid Prototyping, Thinknado, and more into the project.

During Project Blue Sky, you’ll learn from professionals in the design and climate space as they share their expertise and methodologies you can apply in the project and in your own work.

Pitch your work to the world

Virtual Work Week, MAY 6–12

After leaving New Cuyama, you'll collaborate to finish the project. During this week, we’ll offer virtual learning sessions.

Virtual Pitch Day, MAY 13

Design leaders, climate experts, and the Climate Designers community will share feedback during the pitch.

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“Project Blue Sky was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the power of Thinking Wrong.”

- Wasim A

Our leadership team goes beyond just facilitation; they jump right into the mix, providing their own talents, connections, and ideas

Lead Facilitators

Marc O’Brien Co-founder, The Determined and Climate Designers
John Bielenberg Founder of Project M, Co-Founder of Thinknado

John Bielenberg
Founder, Project M,
Co-Founder, Thinknado

Advisors & Pitch Day Judges

Chris Do
CEO & Founder,
The Futur

Louise Wilson
Client Services Director,
Futerra

Brandt Williams
Co-Founder,
Thinknado

Silas Munro
Partner,
Polymode

Amy Williams
Co-Founder,
MAPxGuild

Announcing more advisors and judges soon

Natalia Vasquez
Senior Lead,
IDEO

Apply today

👇

Apply today 👇

Change the trajectory of your career by applying to our upcoming session

WHEN

APR 27 – MAY 13

Off-site, APR 27 – MAY 5
Virtual Work Week, MAY 6–12
Virtual Pitch Day, MAY 13

APPLY BY MAR 15

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

$2,000

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.

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.

Get updates on future Project Blue Sky sessions and other off-sites

FAQ

  • 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.

  • + 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Spots are limited to 12 participants

  • 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.

  • “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

  • No worries. We have another one in OCT 2024.

    Workshop, OCT 5 – OCT 13
    Virtual Pitch Day, OCT 21

    Applications due by AUG 24

  • We require everyone to send us proof of vaccination along with the latest booster shot.