Project Overview
Services Requested
Organization Mission & Purpose
C.Lab is a non-profit dedicated to evolving human consciousness in service to a more beautiful and loving world. They operate from Einstein's principle that "no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it," focusing on rapid consciousness evolution paired with wise, compassionate action to ensure future generations can thrive.
Value Proposition
C.Lab distinguishes itself through psycho-spiritual transformation that is:
Project Parameters
C.lab Branding & Design direction
- see attached invitation for our upcoming retreat
- a few Keynote slides, including the 5 movements of transformation which is a foundational map I created for C.Lab. The 5 movements have since been revised, but this will give you the general idea. (The other foundational map I created for C.Lab, I call 3 Centers, 3 Circles, 3 times).
I designed the logo, the retreat invitation, and the Keynote slides. It's been years since I've done any design work. And I wrote the copy. Overall I'm happy with what I came up with and it has been serving us well. I like the general direction, I think it could be better.
C.Lab Positioning - I'm still getting clear on how I would like to position C.Lab but here's some websites, mostly of others in the space, that I appreciate in one aspect or another. Most are medicine retreat focused, which is an aspect of C.Lab, but I'm not sure I want to make it the centerpiece.
Odyssey: https://www.odysseypbc.com - Well designed and well written.
Fetzer: https://fetzer.org/our-mission/ - Well designed and copy - love the before and after imagery.
Omya: https://www.omya.life - Design is ok. Like the tagline - "Call to life"
Lotus & Vine: https://www.lotusvinejourneys.com - my friend Springs org. Design is good, not great.
Beckley: https://www.beckleyretreats.com - I have a lot of respect for what Beckley is doing and the guy who's running it. Website design is ok, not great.
Project Overview
Services Requested
Organization Mission & Purpose
C.Lab is a non-profit dedicated to evolving human consciousness in service to a more beautiful and loving world. They operate from Einstein's principle that "no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it," focusing on rapid consciousness evolution paired with wise, compassionate action to ensure future generations can thrive.
Value Proposition
C.Lab distinguishes itself through psycho-spiritual transformation that is:
Project Parameters
C.lab Branding & Design direction
- see attached invitation for our upcoming retreat
- a few Keynote slides, including the 5 movements of transformation which is a foundational map I created for C.Lab. The 5 movements have since been revised, but this will give you the general idea. (The other foundational map I created for C.Lab, I call 3 Centers, 3 Circles, 3 times).
I designed the logo, the retreat invitation, and the Keynote slides. It's been years since I've done any design work. And I wrote the copy. Overall I'm happy with what I came up with and it has been serving us well. I like the general direction, I think it could be better.
C.Lab Positioning - I'm still getting clear on how I would like to position C.Lab but here's some websites, mostly of others in the space, that I appreciate in one aspect or another. Most are medicine retreat focused, which is an aspect of C.Lab, but I'm not sure I want to make it the centerpiece.
Odyssey: https://www.odysseypbc.com - Well designed and well written.
Fetzer: https://fetzer.org/our-mission/ - Well designed and copy - love the before and after imagery.
Omya: https://www.omya.life - Design is ok. Like the tagline - "Call to life"
Lotus & Vine: https://www.lotusvinejourneys.com - my friend Springs org. Design is good, not great.
Beckley: https://www.beckleyretreats.com - I have a lot of respect for what Beckley is doing and the guy who's running it. Website design is ok, not great.
Initial project discovery and planning call to understand C-LAB's vision, requirements, and budget parameters. Covers retreat offerings, future platform needs (LMS, community, membership), AI integration strategy, and phased development approach. Meeting established brand identity, dual entity strategy (C-LAB vs The Church), logo direction with four ingredients approach (mandala, taurus, eye, rainbow), visual identity themes, and six-week delivery timeline before Forest's availability window closes. Confirmed AI-assisted workflow using Claude desktop, Obsidian, GitHub, and Google Workspace integration. Established GitHub + Claude architecture for website development and collaborative content management.
Future development of online courses (free resource library and paid content), community platform for education and community space, custom membership system, facilitator training program support tools (marketing assets, payment processing, registration, design templates, private community spaces), and advanced integrations. Includes C-LAB Local community mapping with toggled layers (members, local groups, certified facilitators) and 3D morphing globe visualization. This represents phase 2+ development beyond initial website, to be scoped and budgeted separately as C-LAB grows and additional funding becomes available.
Core website development for C-LAB including retreat program information, one-on-one session scheduling, payment processing integrated with nonprofit structure, and Tally registration system integration. Development approach shifting to GitHub + Claude architecture rather than pure Webflow - design components and style guide in Webflow, export HTML/CSS, host in GitHub repo where Claude acts as content administrator enabling conversational updates and true collaboration. Six-week delivery window before Forest becomes unavailable for three months (first ~3 weeks after baby arrives). Phase 1 priorities: logo design and branding, two foundational C-LAB maps, working website version with lorem ipsum acceptable as placeholder if copy not ready. Focus on beautiful custom design with AI-augmented development and parametric geometric interfaces. Budget range $5,000-8,000 with phased approach. First-draft website to be spun up from content outline document for visual/collaborative review.
Set up collaborative project workspace for C-LAB using GitHub repository as primary collaboration platform. GitHub repo will house website code and enable both teams to connect Claude desktop instances for conversational development and content updates. System enables visual/canvas-based collaboration suitable for Forest's working style, with shared access to design assets, task coordination, content organization, and timeline visibility. Replaces initial Figma/Miro canvas concept with GitHub + Claude approach for tighter integration with website development workflow. Enables both teams to stay aligned on what's being built, when, and what's needed from whom during rapid six-week development window.
Comprehensive brand identity development including logo redesign with four core ingredients: mandala (Tibetan black-and-white geometric), taurus (head-on toroidal form via Grasshopper), eye (perception/cosmogenesis with stars in pupil), and rainbow (360-degree circular gradient at CAAB saturation level). Visual identity themes emphasize micro/macro philosophy, wonder and gratitude, living universe concept. Logo explorations include fractal rotation system in Illustrator using diamond and circle shapes, taurus geometry with more segments and smaller center hole, Tibetan mandala as mask testing rainbow-through-white and rainbow-through-black versions, eye effect through darker outer circumference shading and dark central circle. Logo must work on white backgrounds, black backgrounds, and grayscale. Animation potential noted for parametric model structure. Includes time-lapse photography exploration, iStock video research (credits expire April 23rd), and establishing visual language that bridges cosmic and professional aesthetics. Dual entity strategy: C-LAB (psychedelics-free) and The Church (medicine ceremonies) with shared visual DNA but distinct identities.
Establish comprehensive AI-assisted workflow infrastructure for C-LAB using Claude desktop + Claude Code as primary AI layer, Obsidian for knowledge management and memory, GitHub for version control and collaboration, Google Workspace integration, and Chrome browser automation. Build C-LAB brain knowledge base by uploading approximately 1,000 existing C-LAB files into Claude project to enable AI-assisted generation of website copy, book drafts, facilitator training content, and ecourses. Develop C-LAB-specific glossary of terms to give AI distinctive voice. AI used as writing assistant with all final editing done manually to avoid generic AI output patterns. This infrastructure enables Forest to work in his preferred visual/canvas thinking style while maintaining quality and voice consistency.
Send meeting summary with helpful links and resources
January 7, 2026
Follow up from discovery call including links to IRIS blog on AI, examples discussed, and any relevant resources mentioned during conversation
Develop formal proposal with phased development options and budget estimates
January 10, 2026
Create proposal outlining different website and platform development options with various phased development pathways to accommodate $5,000-8,000 budget range. Include options for core website features (retreat info, scheduling, payments, Tally integration) and clearly separate future platform development (LMS, community, membership). Emphasize low-hanging fruit approach with maximum value for minimum initial effort.
Review proposal options and determine feasible phased development approach
January 15, 2026
Review James's proposal to understand different development pathways and pricing. Determine what's financially feasible given $5,000-8,000 budget range and upcoming transition to single income household. Consider phased approach starting with core website features and expanding functionality over time.
Provide detailed availability schedule after January 12th for planning conversations
January 13, 2026
After returning to Costa Rica on January 12th, provide James with available times for detailed planning and next steps conversations. Schedule will be more open after completing Portland immigration interview trip and Illinois family visit.
Draft website structure outline with pages, content sections, and phase 1/2/3 tags
March 9, 2026
Forest to complete and send a rough draft of the website structure — pages, content sections, and phase 1/2/3 tags — by beginning of next week, ideally drafted during Friday's flight. This will help delineate what falls in phase one, two, and three given the six-week availability window before his baby arrives.
Refine branding questionnaire to sharpen C-LAB messaging and positioning
Continue refining the branding questionnaire to sharpen messaging and positioning. The manifesto currently functions more as a positioning statement — clarifying what C-LAB stands for and what differentiates it in the psychedelic and transformational space.
Gather and send all existing brand assets into shared workspace
Gather and send all existing assets including logo files, reference images, and maps into the shared visual workspace once James sets it up.
Set up shared visual canvas workspace in Figma or Miro for collaborative asset organization and design exploration
Set up a shared visual canvas (Figma or Miro) so both James and Forest can work visually together — laying out reference images, design directions, and assets on an infinite canvas rather than a folder structure.
Build simplified project management workspace for C-LAB with task list, content sections, and timeline view
Build a simplified version of IRIS's internal project management system for C-LAB — with shared task lists, content organization, and a timeline view so both sides stay aligned on what's being built, when, and what's needed from whom. Inspired by IRIS's internal system built directly into a client website.
Begin logo iterations exploring seamless rainbow gradient, toroidal and phylotactic geometry via Grasshopper, eye/iris motif, and mandala/diamond structure in light and dark versions
Begin logo iterations exploring: (1) seamless rainbow gradient with richer, more saturated hues replacing the current pastel/faint treatment, (2) toroidal and phylotactic geometry generated via Grasshopper with reusable parameters for backgrounds and icons, (3) eye/iris motif within the C-shape connecting to the 'see/C for yourself' double meaning, (4) mandala/diamond structure in both light and dark versions using the seamless rainbow gradient. Black dot at center should evoke the initial flaring forth / cosmogenic moment. Include 'C LAB' text below logomark.
Explore iStock video library for micro/macro and living universe footage candidates for website
Use existing iStock video credits to explore premium stock footage for the site. Priority is micro/macro visual philosophy content — e.g., time-lapse of a dandelion slowly opening and going to seed (ending in a mandalic form) — communicating 'we live in a living universe.' This connects to C-LAB's first movement of wonder and gratitude.
Prepare and share a clear six-week delivery timeline aligned with Forest's availability window
Create and share a clear six-week delivery timeline covering: (1) logo design and branding, (2) the two foundational C-LAB maps as simplified line art, and (3) a working version of the website. Forest becomes unavailable for approximately three months after this window due to baby arrival. James confirmed this is achievable: 'In six weeks we can have a version of your website.'
Experiment with 3D globe morphing concept — toroidal form transitioning to sphere/map with layered toggled data points
Develop an evolution of the animated globe concept: a 3D morphing globe that transforms between a toroidal form and a flat map projection while keeping data points intact. Globe should support toggled layers for different community segments — community members, C-LAB local groups, and certified facilitators — each a different color, viewable separately or all at once.
Share additional Tibetan mandala variation image and logo visual references with James via email
Forest to email James the additional Tibetan mandala variation image and any other logo visual references discussed during the session to support ongoing logo development.
Review and send notes from the content outline document to James
Forest to review the content outline document and send notes to James so he can use it as the basis for spinning up the first-draft GitHub website.
Continue uploading C-LAB content files into Claude project to build the C-LAB brain knowledge base
Forest to continue uploading approximately a thousand existing C-LAB files into a Claude project — the 'C-LAB brain' — to give the AI full context for generating website copy, book drafts, facilitator training content, and ecourses. A C-LAB-specific glossary of terms is also planned to give the AI a more distinctive voice.
Review iStock video assets and select candidates before April 23rd credit expiration
Forest to review iStock video assets before the April 23rd credit expiration. Priority is micro/macro visual philosophy content communicating 'we live in a living universe.' James confirmed credits expire April 23rd at 01:13:28.
Test Tibetan mandala image as mask with both 360-degree and radial rainbow gradients in rainbow-on-white and rainbow-on-black versions
Test the Tibetan mandala image as a clipping mask applied to both gradient orientations (360-degree circular rainbow and radial/center-out rainbow), comparing rainbow-through-white and rainbow-through-black versions to determine which reads better. Also explore darker shading at outer circumference and dark central circle to achieve subtle eye/iris and 3D curvature effect.
Spin up GitHub repo with first-draft website based on content outline document and share with Forest for review
Create a GitHub repository with a first-draft website based on the content outline document Forest will send. Use the Claude + GitHub architecture discussed — design components and style guide from Webflow, exported to HTML/CSS hosted in GitHub where Claude can act as administrator. Share repo with Forest for visual and collaborative review. Lorem ipsum placeholders acceptable where copy isn't ready.
