Sitting at the intersection of the arts, technology, and marketing, design is a wide-ranging field with numerous applications. Design careers include Graphic Designers, Industrial Designers, Art Directors, and Interior Designers. Designers work in every sector, including corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. Despite this versatility, many high schoolers may not have much exposure to design courses before finishing secondary education. Fortunately, there are some excellent summer programs open to high schoolers that explore the many faces of this field. Let’s check them out! 

Pre-university: Foundation Design, University of Edinburgh

This two-week residential program is for rising seniors, ages 16-17, who plan on applying to university design programs. Design Foundation emphasizes portfolio development—the key element of any Design program application—while also teaching core design techniques and technologies and introducing students to a collaborative workshop environment. Students will work across a range of genres—including collage, photography, zines, and short films—unified through the idea of visual communication. In addition to their studio and workshop practices, students will participate in seminars on research, documentation, and core design practices while also going to culturally significant locations throughout Edinburgh. Upon completing the course, students will have their own portfolio and experience in design across multiple mediums.   

Pre-College Design Program, Carnegie Mellon University

This six-week residential summer program immerses students into the culture of Carnegie Mellon’s Design track. Students will learn from a variety of perspectives, including design drawing, design photography, studio design, product design, and design research. In addition to studio practice, students will participate in museum trips, lectures, workshop critiques, and exhibitions of their work. Students will leave the program with a faculty-critiqued portfolio that they can use for future university applications. To be eligible for the program, students must be rising juniors or seniors and at least 16 years old. Applications consist of two essays, an unofficial transcript demonstrating a GPA of B or higher, an online application form, and a letter of recommendation.     

Graphic Design for Publication, Loyola Marymount University

Beyond the ability to turn a good line, any young writer pursuing a career in publishing must have a solid foundation in the technical side of the industry. That’s exactly what LMU’s Graphic Design for Publication program sets out to do: explore the foundations of graphic design as it relates to print and digital publishing. Students will explore the intersections of written and visual language and apply it to a range of genres of writing as they design and publish a digital zine. This two-week program includes housing on the LMU campus and the opportunity to explore printing presses in Los Angeles. Participants will leave the program with a portfolio of their design work which can be used for university applications. Applications must include a personal essay, an online application form, a letter of recommendation, high school transcripts, and an application fee. The application deadline is in mid-March.     

Exploring Graphic Design, Drexel University

Available with both commuter and residential options, Drexel University’s week-long Exploring Graphic Design program seeks to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of visual communication. Mediums include posters, magazines, packaging, websites, books, motion graphics, and more. The program incorporates a hands-on approach to Design education through a studio instruction model, workshops, guest speakers, and virtual field trips. Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old are eligible to apply. Applications consist of an online form, a 300-word personal essay, and a high school transcript. Students are accepted into the program on a first-come, first-served basis, so early applications are encouraged.  

SMFA Graphic Design Bootcamp, Tufts University

Directed by the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, this one-week virtual program teaches students valuable graphic design skills. The program emphasizes the Adobe Creative Suite and investigates the intersection of graphic arts with liberal arts, communications, psychology, and marketing. Additionally, the SMFA Graphic Design Bootcamp helps students to develop professionally through resume-building and writing skills workshops while also exploring the professional tools used by graphic designers in their day-to-day lives. The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as recent high school graduates. Applications must contain an online form, a list of relevant classes taken, an optional design and writing portfolio, optional test scores, a high school transcript, and parental consent. Applications open on December 1st and are accepted on a rolling basis. Students will typically receive a decision within ten days.      

Conclusion

Design is a diverse and exciting field with a seemingly countless range of applications. Designers get to draw on many interesting subjects throughout their careers, combining art, social sciences, and marketing into an aesthetically pleasing product. Whether you’re a student with many projects under your belt getting ready for design school applications or are just eager to learn how to use the Adobe Creative Suite, these programs will help you to develop a strong foundation in visual communication.