I'm Marc O'Brien, a climate designer using strategy and design to drive climate action
My approach was shaped by a punk rock mixtape in middle school that taught me to:
- fight for what I believe in
- question authority
- and embrace a do-it-yourself ethos
I started making shirts, stickers, and zines as a teen, accidentally discovering design. After earning degrees in Interaction Design and Visual Design, I focused on social impact projects in technology, public education, health, and economic development.
In 2015, I had my climate epiphany. I realized I wanted to level up my work and take on the biggest challenge and opportunity humans have ever faced—our climate breakdown.
Since 2016, I've been working at the intersection of design, climate, and business. I've been focused on building regenerative solutions and approaches by making projects look good, sound awesome, be seen, and get the support they need. I co-founded The Determined (2016-2022), a design consultancy for climate-focused brands, and Climate Designers (2019–present), a global hub for designers taking climate action.
When I'm not working, I'm teaching at California College of the Arts as a Senior Adjunct, leading courses in climate design and social innovation.
I bridge design, climate action, education, and punk rock principles to repair and regenerate the world through design.
About Generator
Generator is my place for unfiltered ideas on design, business, and climate action. All of my work has been to support what is needed to fundamentally redesign the design industry and put climate at the core of our work.
Maybe you're also a designer on a journey, trying to make sense of it all—questioning our existing world and industry.
Perhaps you're questioning the entrenched systems that surround us, that dictate how we use our creative talents.
Perhaps you're figuring out ways to help fix the planet with your design skills.
Maybe Generator is a place to help both of us make sense of it all.
As designers, we've contributed to our climate breakdown. But, if we pause and consider our place in business and the skills we have, we can contribute in a positive way, supporting those on the front lines working to heal the planet.
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