Fancy Port
In this episode of Doom and Bloom, Marc O’Brien sits down with design educator Stevie Bales to tackle a big question: How can designers nudge decision makers toward climate action? They unpack why decision makers should be seen as people, just like us, who need to understand climate issues, why values shouldn’t be separated from everyday choices, and why companies get away with “values” that sound good but rarely guide their actions.
Stevie shares fresh ideas for how designers can live their values—through visible iconography, intentional design choices, and bold public statements. We imagine a system where designers define who they are, create work that reflects those values, and spark change in their communities. This conversation is about making climate values not just a statement, but a standard… one design, one action, and one conversation at a time.
About Stevie Bales (Website / LinkedIn)
Stevie Bales is a design educator committed to making climate education accessible for all students. With a focus on pro-climate design and action, she has worked as part of the NewWave team to integrate climate-focused teaching into every design classroom. Today, Stevie inspires students to connect their creative work with local action, while also living their values through hands-on involvement in community-supported agriculture and permaculture farming.
