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College of Design

Weekend Workshops

The Design Lab offers Weekend Workshops for high school students at our Design Lab studio here at the College of Design. Our workshops are brief, immersive design education experiences, offering a wide range of opportunities for teens interested in design. From skill-building to design thinking to concept-based projects to interdisciplinary design mash-ups and more, our talented instructors guide students in developing knowledge and experience in their focus area. Please continue to visit our website from time to time to learn about new workshops and programs we’re offering.

Spring 2026 // Weekend Workshops

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The Design Lab is excited to offer six in-person Weekend Workshops this spring for high school students. Each workshop will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm with lunch at noon. See the weekend workshop schedule below. Students can register any time between October and one week in advance of each workshop, and students can register for as many weekend workshops as they are interested in.

Workshops will introduce students to design thinking and the design process through challenge-based activities. Through these workshops, students will have the opportunity to develop a better understanding of our designed world and find answer to these questions: What is design? How do designers think?

Please send questions to designlab_k12@ncsu.edu. Thanks!

April 11 // Architecture

Architecture // Pause, Turn, Go OR Walk This Way!

How does architecture guide the way we move, pause, and experience space? In this hands-on architecture workshop, students will explore circulation as a central element by designing a small museum organized around arrival, movement, pause, and exit. 

Rather than focusing on a traditional museum topic, each student will imagine a museum centered on something personally meaningful, such as a hobby, collection, or story, and explore how spatial sequence shapes a visitor’s experience. Through sketching, drafting plans and sections, and building physical models, students will experiment with spatial contrast and the choreography of movement through space. 

By the end of the session, students will leave with a rough prototype architectural model and a deeper understanding of how architects design experiences, not just buildings, in a studio environment that values curiosity, experimentation, and spatial storytelling over technical perfection. Ideal for students who enjoy building and visualizing ideas in three dimensions, or are curious about storytelling through space, this workshop offers an exploratory, studio-style environment focused on experimentation over perfection.

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $100

Instructor // Brenna B.

Hello everyone! My name is Brenna and I’m currently a fifth-year Architecture student at NC State University, also studying Landscape Architecture and Psychology. I’m fascinated by how design influences behavior, community, and social experience, and how those factors shape design in return. I enjoy thinking through design by diagramming, researching, and iterating, and I believe diverse approaches to problem-solving lead to richer outcomes.

I see design as a playful and collaborative process that requires both knowledge of the user and understanding of the impact of your design on the community. In my downtime I enjoy reading, going to the gym, and skating in the park. I look forward to exploring new approaches with you all!

April 11 // Media Arts, Design and Technology

Media Arts, Design and Technology // Strike a Pose

What makes a character feel alive? In this dynamic introduction to 2D character animation, students will animate a character in action while exploring how movement communicates personality and emotion. Using RoughAnimator on an iPad, students will break motion into key poses and experiment with timing, exaggeration, and primary and secondary movement to create a short animated sequence. Working with characters designed and optimized for animation, they will learn how structure and clarity support expressive performance. Through sketching, sequencing, and refining motion, students will discover how subtle shifts transform a static drawing into a compelling on-screen presence. No prior animation experience is required, making this workshop accessible and engaging for beginners who are curious about the 2D animation process.

By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with a short character animation and a clearer understanding of how animators craft expressive movement. Ideal for students who love drawing characters, animated films, visual storytelling, and are curious to learn about the 2D animation process. This workshop offers an energetic and welcoming studio environment focused on creativity and experimentation.

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $90

Instructor // Sophie G.

Hi! I’m Sophie G., a recent graduate from the College of Design, Media Arts, Design and Technology program with a concentration in Animation. I think of storytelling as the most creative way of connecting and communicating with the people and the world around us, and there’s an endless amount of ways to do it. I enjoy telling stories that bring people together and encourage us to listen, learn, and keep growing. Animation happens to be my favorite way of doing this!

April 18 // Architecture

Architecture // Light Apparatus: Construction Through Art 

How can light, color, and material transform the way we experience space? In this workshop, students will use art as a starting point for design exploration. Through observation during an interactive site visit, they will analyze how composition, illumination, and material create atmosphere and meaning. Students will sketch, test materials, and construct a three-dimensional light apparatus that translates artistic experience into spatial form. By experimenting with form, shadow, color, and structure, they will reinterpret what they observe and transform it into a sculptural object that explores light as a design element. 

By the end of the session, each student will leave with a crafted light apparatus and a deeper understanding of how art can generate design and architectural ideas. Ideal for students who enjoy both art and building, or who are curious about how creative expression can shape space. This workshop offers a thoughtful and exploratory studio environment.

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $100

Instructor // Tanighya A.

Hello ! My name is Tanighya Alvin . I am a current graduate student here at NC State for the Masters (Track 3) Architecture Program. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture along with minors in African American and Diaspora Studies and Consumer, Apparel , and Retail Studies from UNC Greensboro.

When it comes to Architecture I found that I have a strong interest in community development. Developing spaces that are inclusive , responsive , have a positive impact on different demographics in the community, and implements the cultural identity of the community. My passion for community based design was fueled by an internship that I did which focused on address a housing crisis that was occurring within the Greensboro area. Creating tiny houses for the homeless and lower income communities in the area is what I focused on. That Internship had pushed me to consider how a design could impact a community and what steps I could make as a designer to make even the smallest change.

I enjoy teaching others about how much of an impact Architecture can make and how even as a designer a something sublet can creates a major changes. In my leisure I like to travel, build miniature houses , spend time with family , and try new foods,

April 18 // Media Arts, Design and Technology

Media Arts, Design and Technology // Swim Cycle Animation: School of Fish

How do digital characters move in ways that feel believable and expressive? In this hands-on introduction to animation, students will explore foundational principles of motion before diving into Blender to animate their own 3D fish character. Working with rigs and motion paths, they will experiment with timing, arcs, and flow to transform a static model into a fluid swim cycle. Through testing and refining their animations, students will discover how subtle adjustments create lifelike movement. 

By the end of the workshop, each participant will have a swim cycle and gain practical experience using an industry-relevant 3D animation tool. Ideal for students curious about digital art, game design, or storytelling through motion. No prior experience required: just creativity and curiosity!

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $90

Instructor // Lydia S.

Hello, I’m Lydia! I’m a recent graduate of the Media Arts, Design and Technology Program. I’m a 3D digital artist professionally, but I enjoy both physical and digital design work. From painting, to garment construction, to 3D and 2D animation; I’m a generalist, a designer of all kinds. I love entertainment media because it is the intersection of all things, and incorporates all disciplines of design into one product. If one can become fluent in the language of visual design and storytelling, they can make media that people fall in love with. If you love thought-provoking stories that are well told through visual media, you are in the right place.

Some of my favorite media includes Arcane, the Spider-Verse movies, the Bear, Scavenger’s Reign, Wes Anderson’s Stop Motion films (and Grand Budapest Hotel), Attack on Titian, and Severance.

April 25 // Graphic & Experience Design

Graphic & Experience Design // Design your Days: Tear-Away Calendars

How does design shape the way we experience time? Every day begins with a date, but designers decide how information is organized, emphasized, and understood. In this workshop, students will create a design system for a hand-crafted yearly tear-away calendar while exploring principles of typography, hierarchy, and layout. Through sketching, refining visual rules, and crafting individual pages, they will experiment with how structure and consistency guide daily interaction. 

By the end of the session, students will leave with a developed calendar concept and a deeper understanding of how graphic designers shape communication by creating meaningful touchpoints in everyday life through thoughtful visual systems. Ideal for students who enjoy organizing ideas visually, experimenting with lettering, or thinking about how small details shape larger experiences. 

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $90

Instructor // Jimmy R.J.

Hello, I’m Jimmy. A latin graphic designer that’s passionate about all forms of design ranging from visual and digital design to physical product and garment design. At it’s core design is about communicating, I as a designer take interest in all mediums to ensure that the products I deliever are best suited for the user in mind. I love exploring and pushing design rules to their limits to keep design fun, weird and functional.

May 2 // Industrial Design

Industrial Design // Next Gen Gear: Sports and Protective Equipment Design

How do designers create athletic gear that protects, supports, and enhances performance? Whether training for a local competition or performing on the Olympic stage, athletes rely on thoughtfully designed gear to push their limits and support their movement. Dance, gymnastics, running, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, and snowboarding, many activities combine soft goods with technical materials to provide protection, flexibility, and performance.

In this fast-paced design workshop, students will investigate athletic and protective gear to understand how materials, construction, and form work together to meet the demands of specific movements. After analyzing real examples and identifying user needs and aesthetic considerations, they will sketch their own new concepts, explore material possibilities, and build quick 2D and 3D mockups to test their ideas. Through prototyping and refining their designs, students will develop potential gear concept solutions that balances the users needs and aesthetics.

By the end of the session, each participant will present a developed product concept and gain insight into how industrial designers move from research to prototype. Ideal for students interested in sports, movement, materials, or creative problem-solving through design, this workshop offers an energetic and collaborative studio experience focused on innovation and experimentation.

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $100

Instructor // Caleb Z.

Hi! My name is Caleb Zander and I am a current Master’s student in Industrial Design at NC State and former science teacher. I enjoy industrial design as a way to blend creative and logical thinking on projects; taking function and form to make interesting solutions to problems. Some of the most exciting parts of design are working as part of a team, bouncing ideas off of each other, and learning from each other’s perspectives to make things that spark creativity in others.

Prior to Registering, Please Read the Following:

Registration Process and Policies

  • Registration will open in February 2026.
  • The registration fee for each workshop ranges from $90 – $100. Payment is due upon registration. Students may register for multiple weekend workshops at a time, but SHOULD only register for one workshop per Saturday. All forms and payment must be completed in order for registration to be finalized. 
  • Registration will remain open for each workshop up until 5 calendar days prior to its date (ie. registration will close for a workshop on the Monday prior to when it’s being held). 
  • Those who have completed registration and payment will receive a confirmation email immediately. And all registrants will receive an email at least 5 business days prior to the start of their workshop with further information on procedures and protocols.
  • Each workshop will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm with Lunch at noon. Lunch will be provided for all workshops; our staff and instructor will accompany students to Clark Dining Hall, near our location on campus.
  • Students should arrive between 8:45am – 8:55am and students must leave or be picked up no later than 4:15pm. Drop-off, Pick-up, and Parking information will be shared after registration is complete.
  • Cancellations for Weekend Workshops: We must receive request for cancellation in writing via email to designlab_k12@ncsu.edu. Cancellations made 10 calendar days prior to a workshop are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made 5 calendar days prior to a workshop are eligible for a 50% refund OR request to have their program fees donated to our Design Lab outreach funds. If the workshop is cancelled by the Design Lab, full refunds will be issued. Refunds can only be issued by the same means of the original payment. 
    • Due to the upfront costs of our workshops, this is a firm policy, as we are not able to provide refunds for money that has already been allocated towards workshop expenses.

If you have any questions, please email designlab_k12@ncsu.edu.

Click Here to Register for Weekend Workshops*

*Each workshop’s registration period will end one week prior to its workshop date.

Archive of Past Workshops

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