Project M 2008

Project M is an intensive summer program founded by John Bielenberg with the aim to inspire young graphic designers, writers, photographers and other creative people and show that their work can have a positive and significant impact on the world.

My Project M 2008 Team, in collaboration with HERO (Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization), has created a permanent Design Lab space in Greensboro Alabama. By open-sourcing Project M to other evolving, passionate designers, Project M could become a catalyst for change in a county and country that needs it. Instead of solving one problem in the community, we can address multiple problems and in the process further shift the global perception of what a young designer's responsibility and role in our changing world can be.

We spent the first half of June 2008 conceiving the project, and the last half executing it. We renovated an old school house into a light-filled studio. We created tables, installed lighting, designed and installed a new bathroom, built an L-shaped bench that is situated in a space that will become a community garden, created signage, and more. Along with the physical building we created a virtual resource that easily connects and informs aspiring young people about Project M, its advisors, alumni, and past, present and future projects.

Visit the Project M Lab website.

Creative educator: John Bielenberg
Creative advisors: Christopher Simmons, Dan Covert, Andre Andreev, Ben Barry, Oliver Munday, Bernard Canniffe, Mike Weikert, Thomas Sevcik, Erik Cox, Bob Dinetz, Jeff Caldwell, Thomas Sevcik, and many more
Designers: Nuzi Barkatally, John Bogan, Charolette Graves, Cassie Hester, Sereh Mead, Katie Powers, Arvi Raquel-Santos, John J. Custer