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 2024 Design Camp
Day Camps
Middle School Day Camps
Rising 6th, 7th and 8th Grade
JULY 8 – 12, 2024 OR JULY 29 – AUGUST 2, 2024
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: $750 (includes meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 5:1
Seats Total: 40 per program
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here (Please note this is a sample schedule. Final schedules will be sent to registrants in May.)
Registrations after April 12 will incur a $50 late fee.
High School Explorations Day Camp
Rising 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade
JULY 29 – AUGUST 2, 2024
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: $875 (includes meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 5:1
Seats Total: 80
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here (Please note this is a sample schedule. Final schedules will be sent to registrants in May.)
Registrations after April 12 will incur a $50 late fee.
Residential Camps
High School Explorations Residential Camp
Rising 10th, 11th and 12th Grade
JUNE 23 – JUNE 29, 2024
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: $1400 (includes housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 4:1
Seats Total: 140
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here (Please note this is a sample schedule. Final schedules will be sent to registrants in May.)
Registrations after April 12 will incur a $50 late fee.
Design Immersions Residential Program
Rising 11th and 12th Grade
JUNE 18, JULY 14 – 20, 2024
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 an online summer orientation, on June 18, 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: $1500 (includes online prep modules, housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 4:1
Seats Total: 100
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here (Please note this is a sample schedule. Final schedules will be sent to registrants in May.)
Registrations after April 12 will incur a $50 late fee.
Need Financial Assistance?
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!
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