Digital Academy: CollabQuest
An in-person program connecting creative learning to real-world professional environments.
Ages 14+ | In-Person | Intermediate to Advanced | $410 per CollabQuest
Because Digital Academy has prerequisites for participation, please email our education team to discuss your student and their interest prior to registering them for their first class.
What is CollabQuest?
CollabQuest is developed in partnership between Islands of Brilliance and a professional organization.
Each experience begins with a site visit that introduces participants to a real-world creative environment. Students then design and create their own individual projects inspired by the challenge, context, and insights gained from that visit.
Participants work alongside peers, sharing feedback and ideas, while maintaining ownership of their work.
What Participants Will Learn
Creative and Technical Skills
Interpreting real-world creative prompts
Translating inspiration into original ideas
Applying tools and techniques independently
Iterating based on feedback
Presenting creative work
Personal Development and Growth
Confidence in professional contexts
Comfort sharing work with peers
Problem-solving through real-world challenges
Seeing creative skills applied beyond the classroom
CollabQuest Is a Good Fit For
Participants curious about creative careers
Learners who benefit from real-world context
Creators who prefer in-person experiences
Participants new to Digital Academy
Program Details
Format: In-Person
Time: Varies by Season
Sessions: One On-site Location Tour + Three 2-Hour IOB Studio Sessions
Tuition: $410 per CollabQuest
Ages: 14+
Our Next CollabQuest…
Product Display Design
Community Partner:
Project Objective
Calling 3D creatives and designers! Core Creative, which has a large account with Milwaukee Tool, is offering a cool opportunity to experience the design process for a point-of-purchase display! That’s the folded cardboard that holds specific products found at hardware stores.
The kick-off event will happen at Core Creative, and participants will meet the team from Core Creative working on the Milwaukee Tool account and see all the steps that go into the design and delivery of a project like this.
This project will use specific assets from Milwaukee Tool and focus on turning those assets into patterns and textures that will wrap around the product display. This is a great collab quest for individuals with 3D skills but also for individuals who just have 2D skills – IOB will help you ‘wrap’ the textures around the 3D object!
This experience offers both portfolio development and real-world insight into working with a local creative team.
Each participant’s final design will be uploaded to Sketchfab, and participants will have the opportunity to build connections with a working design team on a major account.
Project Details
Format: In-Person
Dates and Times:
Kickoff Session: Friday, July 17, 10:00–11:30 am
Studio Sessions: Fridays, July 24, 31, and August 7, 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Duration: One Kickoff Client Experience + Three 2-Hour IOB Studio Sessions
Price: $410
Locations:
Kickoff Session: Core Creative Offices, 600 W Virginia St #700, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Studio Sessions: IOB’s Studio at the Eagleknit, 507 S 2nd St, Suite 305, Milwaukee, WI 53204
What to Expect:
Inside the World of Agency Design: Meet the Core Creative team and learn how a local creative agency supports major client work for Milwaukee Tool.
Real Client-Inspired Brief: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how professional teams approach point-of-purchase display design, from brand assets to final presentation.
Product Display Design: Create original patterns, textures, and visual treatments for a 3D product display inspired by real-world retail environments.
2D Meets 3D: Design in 2D, then see how your textures wrap around a 3D object using tools like Procreate, Blender, and Sketchfab.
Brand Standards + Visual Systems: Explore how designers use existing assets, colors, textures, and guidelines to create work that feels on-brand and purposeful.
Feedback & Iteration: Share your work, receive guidance from IOB and Core Creative, and refine your design across multiple studio sessions.
Portfolio Takeaway: Build a strong portfolio piece that shows both creative thinking and applied design skills in a real-world format.
Creative Networking: Connect with working designers, account leaders, and creative professionals while learning more about careers in agency, branding, and 3D design.
FAQs
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Do participants need prior Digital Academy experience to join CollabQuest?
No. CollabQuest is designed to be accessible to first-time Digital Academy participants as well as returning participants.
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How does the site visit work?
Each CollabQuest includes one in-person visit to a professional or creative environment. Details about location, timing, and logistics are shared in advance.
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What kind of projects do participants create?
Projects are inspired by the professional partner and site visit. Past projects have included animations for stadium screens, custom packaging designs, and 3D printed objects. Each participant creates their own individual project based on the professional challenge explored.
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How much collaboration is involved?
CollabQuest is a partnership between Islands of Brilliance and a professional organization. Participants create their own individual projects while working alongside peers. Collaboration happens during the IOB Studio sessions through shared discussion, idea-sharing, and feedback, with mentors supporting the process.
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Is CollabQuest appropriate for participants who prefer structure?
Yes. CollabQuest includes clear goals, defined timelines, and mentor guidance, making it supportive even for participants new to group projects.
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Not sure if CollabQuest is the right fit?
We’re happy to talk it through. Connect with us before registering.
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