Five Questions with John Bielenberg: Director of the Think Wrong Institute
John Bielenberg is one of our modern-day heroes. He is a designer, entrepreneur, and “imaginative advocate for a better world”. His design work has earned him more than 250 awards, including the 2013 American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Gold Medal for leadership in the design for good movement.
In 2016 he co-wrote Think Wrong, a book that inspires people to conquer the status quo and do work that matters. Today he is the Director of the Think Wrong Institute at the University of Kansas.
We recently confirmed that he’ll be joining our lineup of incredible main stage speakers at In/Visible Talks 2020, and we are so excited to learn from him how we can “Go Beyond”.
Get acquainted with John as he answers some of our questions about his creative life.
What is your relationship to the creative process?
“I help people ‘think wrong’ about solving their biggest challenges in the most creative and innovative ways possible.”
How or where do you find inspiration?
“I have no idea. In unexpected places, I think.”
When did you first realize you needed to be in a creative field?
“I was encouraged at an early age. My dad is a theatre professor and set designer.”
What was one of your biggest creative challenges?
“Starting my Think Wrong design program, Project M, in 2003.”
Who is one of your heroes and why?
“Yvon Chouinard. He’s using his company, Patagonia, to save the planet.”
Bonus Question: What are you reading now?
“On the Future: Prospects for Humanity by Martin Rees.