The Mars/
querade Ball

Inspired by the tradition of masquerade balls, this Satellite Session invites people to let go of a current culture, social status or belief system for one night.

We’ll dance into a futures-thinking Martian mindset where human creativity is used to shape a culture capable of making all people happy and healthy while being considerate of every living thing.


You’ll immerse into other peoples mind and make your own way out (literally and metaphorically) to produce masks, jewelry, mindsets and more that you’ll bring to the dance floor.

Friday, April 11

7-10pm @ the d.school

7pm : Door Open
7:15pm :
Autographed “Assembling Tomorrow” Raffle
7:30pm :
Live Performance Premiere from Chocolate Heads
8pm : Open Orbit feat. Stanford faculty & student artists & designers
9:00pm | The Mars/querade Ball Dance Party Begins
9:30pm | $100 Gift Card Raffle
10pm | Doors Close

  •  💃🏾 Chocolate Heads on the Moon – Live, immersive dance and DJ set.

    7:30pm

    You will NOT want to miss this!

  • 🎤 The Pickle Jar – Design meets improv meets ethics.

    Open from 8pm - 9pm

  • 📍 The Isle of Design – Wondering how to start with design? Begin here.

    Open from 7pm - 10pm

  • 🍞 The Toast Bar – Break bread with someone new. Literally.

    Open from 7pm - 10pm

  • 🎭 The Hot Pocket – Design a mask. Explore your shadow. Eat a snack.

    Open from 7pm - 10pm

Satellite Sessions

Satellite Sessions are parties with a purpose at the Stanford d.school designed to relay inspiration, insight & opportunities from the universe of design through a spark of music & art.

Show, don’t tell

Watch this video to catch the vibe from a few of our Satellite Sessions over the years.

People meet
at parties.

  • Understand what design work opportunities look like in the real world

    Apply new information and insights you receive at the session to existing work and studies

    Analyze new information and insights from diverse points of view.

    Evaluate new information and insights to better understand their own point of view

    Create a piece of design work that expresses a new point of view

But if you’re looking for more reasons to come, then check out the reasons below. Or if you just want to see who you might meet, then keep scrolling.

  • Understand what design work opportunities look like in the real world

    Apply new information and insights you receive at the session to existing work and studies

    Analyze new information and insights from diverse points of view.

    Evaluate new information and insights to better understand their own point of view

    Create a piece of design work that expresses a new point of view

  • Understand what design work opportunities look like in the real world

    Apply new information and insights you receive at the session to existing work and studies

    Analyze new information and insights from diverse points of view.

    Evaluate new information and insights to better understand their own point of view

    Create a piece of design work that expresses a new point of view

Make art*

*the Spark