Design Camp

NC State Design Camp

Design Camp is a pre-college summer program for middle school and high school students organized by the NC State Design Lab for K12 Education and Outreach. Held each summer, Design Camp informs students about the study of design and raises awareness of the impact of design on all aspects of our everyday lives. The design thinking skills and creative experience gained can empower students on their path toward becoming innovative problem solvers and prepare them to tackle the challenges of the future.

Summer 2023 Design Camp

Day Camps

Middle School Day Camps

Rising 6th, 7th and 8th Grade

JUNE 12 – 16, 2023 OR JULY 31 – AUGUST 4, 2023

A week-long day camp that focuses on introducing middle school students to design thinking through hands-on 2D and 3D-making design projects, and an exploration of the range of design disciplines offered at the College of Design. Studio activities aim to strengthen students’ creative problem solving skills and visual literacy.

Ideal for: This camp is perfect for middle school students interested in learning more about design, and improving creative problem solving and visual literacy.
Cost: $700 (includes meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 5:1
Seats Total: 40 per program*
*Middle School Day Camp 1 (June 12 – 16) is Full, Waitlist is Active
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here to View Session 1 OR Click Here to View Session 2

Registrations after April 10 will incur a $25 late fee.

High School Day Camps

High School Explorations Day Camp // Rising 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade

JUNE 12 – 16, 2023

A week-long program that introduces participants to the design process through brief projects covering the range of studio disciplines offered at the College of Design: Architecture, Graphic and Experience Design, Industrial Design, and Media Arts, Design and Technology. In addition to completing 4 studio projects throughout the week, students participate in critical thinking activities outside of the studio, as well as view presentations to help inform students about possible paths to college-level study in design and beyond.

Ideal for: This camp is perfect for high school students interested in exploring all of the undergraduate studio based majors offered at the College of Design.
Cost: $825 (includes meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 5:1
Seats Total: 80 Program is Full, Waitlist is Active
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here

Registrations after April 10 will incur a $25 late fee.

High School Immersions Day Camp // Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders

JUNE 6, JULY 31 – AUGUST 4, 2023

A week-long program that immerses participants in the design process through a week-long studio project. Prior to camp, students will attend a brief, 1-hour, online summer orientation, on June 6, to gain access to online Design Fundamentals videos and activities, and have the chance to rank their choice of studio projects to complete. After the online orientation, students independently complete online learning covering design fundamentals, and then they spend a week on campus participating in one immersive studio project. In addition, students also participate in critical thinking exercises and activities outside of the studio, as well as view presentations to help inform students about possible paths to college-level study in design and beyond.

Ideal for: This camp is perfect for rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students interested in experiencing an immersive college level studio experience and completing a week-long studio project.
Cost: $875 (includes online modules (shared 1 month prior to camp week), meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 5:1
Seats Total: 80
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here

Registrations after April 10 will incur a $25 late fee.

Residential Camps

High School Explorations Residential Camp

Rising 10th, 11th and 12th Grade

JUNE 25 – JULY 1, 2023

An exploratory residential program covering the range of studio disciplines offered at the College of Design: Architecture, Graphic and Experience Design, Industrial Design, and Media Arts, Design and Technology. Residential camp projects require more time in the studio, making the daily schedule much like that of an actual College of Design student. students also participate in evening activities aimed at strengthening their critical creative thinking, deepening their understanding of the design fields, and preparing them for college level study.

Ideal for: This camp is perfect for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students interested in exploring all of the undergraduate studio based majors offered at the College of Design, and experiencing what residential life is like for College of Design students.
Cost: $1200 (includes housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 4:1
Seats Total: 80 Program is Full, Waitlist is Active
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here

Registrations after April 10 will incur a $25 late fee.

Design Immersions Residential Program

Rising 11th and 12th Grade

JUNE 6, JULY 16 – 22, 2023

An immersive, pre-college program introducing students to fundamentals of design through creation of a portfolio quality project in a studio environment. Prior to camp, students will attend a brief, 1-hour, online summer orientation, on June 6, to gain access to online Design Fundamentals videos and activities, and have the chance to rank their choice of studio projects to complete. During residential week, students will complete one studio project to portfolio quality and participate in critical and creative thinking activities preparing them for college level study in design.

Ideal for: This camp is perfect for rising 11th and 12th grade students interested in completing a portfolio quality project, and experiencing what residential life is like for College of Design students.
Cost: $1300 (includes online modules, housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 4:1
Seats Total: ~~100~~ Program is Full, Waitlist is Active
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here

Registrations after April 10 will incur a $25 late fee.

FAQs

Get answers to frequently asked questions here.

Camp Policies

Learn more about our code of conduct.

Registration Policies

Find instructions on how to apply for Design Camp.

Need Financial Assistance?

Students demonstrating financial need and motivation to attend Design Camp may apply for Financial Assistance Scholarships through their Design Camp registration. Applications for students requesting financial assistance are due by March 10, 2023, but as spots are limited early registration is strongly encouraged!

Financial Assistance and Scholarships

Want to Provide a Design Camp Scholarship or Sponsorship?

If you are interested in providing a scholarship to help send a student in need to Design Camp, or if you are a non–profit or educational organization serving underserved, underrepresented and/or rural students and would like to sponsor a student, please review our Sponsorship & Scholarship Guidelines.

Questions? Ready to get started? Email us at designlab_k12@ncsu.edu. We look forward to working with you!