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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.

Fall 2024 // Weekend Workshops

Fall 2024 workshop registration will open and workshop offerings will be announced at the end of September 2024.

The Design Lab is excited to offer ten discipline-specific, in-person, Weekend Workshops this fall for middle and 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 September 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!

Weekend Workshop Schedule // Fall 2024

Saturdays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Middle School Workshop

Designing our Future Society

What might our future look like? How do we want to design our world to live the best version of our lives? 

In this workshop students will be empowered to design their version of the future using design thinking and design process. Students will be tasked to think in the mind of an exhibition designer for the 2025 World’s Fair Expo by learning a little bit about the history behind the world’s fair. They will then be able to choose what elements of the World’s Fair Expo they would like to design including but not limited to architecture, urban planning, product design, innovative technology, new forms of transportation, entertainment, graphics and branding.

  • Grade Range: 6th – 8th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $60

Instructor // Abby Bagwell

I am Abby Bagwell, the Coordinator of Pre-College Programs for the Design Lab for K-12 Education and Outreach at North Carolina State University’s College of Design. Before I began my design education journey I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture at NCSU College of Design and found my passion for working with middle and high school students. I am excited to talk to students about all the different types of design including but not limited to Architecture, Industrial Design, Graphic and Experience Design, and Media Arts, Design and Technology. I am passionate about helping others find their passion whether it’s related to design or not. In my free time I love being able to make things whether it is cooking, baking, painting, screen printing, pouring concrete or designing.

High School Workshops

Media Arts, Graphic Design and Technology // Type, Tone, and Texture: The Essentials of Visual Communication

Explore the foundational theories that drive great design, learn creative thinking techniques, and gain hands-on experience in typography, illustration, and graphic design for “Phygital Media” (physical + digital media). Learn how to use essential tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, and discover other digital resources that industry professionals rely on. This workshop will also delve into the unique intersections of music, branding, and visual communication, teaching you how to create compelling posters, vibrant zines, and memorable branded content.

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $70

Instructor // Ethan Hunt

I’m Ethan, a graduate student in the MADTech program and I love all things involving printmaking, graphic design and illustration. As an aspiring graphic novelist, I took an interest in design during my undergraduate career at Winthrop University and now hold a proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator. I currently work as a Production Assistant for a print shop and do freelance design when not in class or screen printing.

Architecture // What’s the Weather?

Investigate the relationship between our environment and architecture through design trails of wind, water, and sun! Students will design a series of creative physical models that will adapt and collaborate with natural systems–gaining a greater understanding of the power of design through topics of sustainability and biophilic architecture. Throughout the project, students will learn fundamental model making skills used within the architectural practice and develop a series of 3-5 investigative physical models. Students will have the opportunity to explore sustainable strategies within architecture and implement them into their designs including rainwater management, passive strategies, energy production, and beyond! Learn how to design with nature in “What’s the Weather?”

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

Instructor // Abby Lundergan

I’m Abby Lundergan, a recent graduate of NC State’s Bachelors in Environmental Design in Architecture program with minors in Environmental Science and Landscape Architecture.

As a long-time resident of North Carolina, I am passionate about designing spaces for architecture and environmental systems to co-exist, aiming to build connections between individuals and their landscapes through design. As an avid maker, I love exploring the relationship between physical and digital visualization strategies using hand drawing, watercolor, collage, model making, sewing, modeling software, and digital rendering. Post-graduation, I hope to further unite professional and academic fields of architecture through teaching and research-oriented design strategies; my past research includes topics of historical preservation in Prague, Czechia and socio-economic impacts of urban green space planning in Raleigh, North Carolina. Within my time at NC State, I have served as an advocate for community-oriented design, equity, and sustainable urban planning as Senator within NCSU Student Government and a College of Design Ambassador. I am passionate about sharing the power of architecture and exploring the interdisciplinary nature of design!

In my free time, I enjoy discovering new music as a DJ at NC State’s student run radio station WKNC 88.1. Additionally, I love spending time in the mountains rock climbing and snowboarding!

Media Arts, Design and Technology // Storytelling Basics: Crafting a 4-Panel Story

Find your narrative voice in this introduction to basic storytelling techniques and construct a story from start to finish using just four panels! In this workshop, you can become a comic artist (or a “cartoonist”) for a day and learn to effectively convey a simple storyline using a classic comic template in the form of the four panel strip. Together, we can develop your visual communication skills and delve into the intricacies of comics by mastering reading flow, visual hierarchy, composition, and more! After crafting a visually compelling four panel story in your own unique style, uncover more creative opportunities by exploring how you can take your work to another level and optimize it for social media platforms through the use of today’s digital tools. Come share your stories and explore the joy of storytelling and endless possibilities!

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $70

Instructor // Emilie Tamura Miller

Hey there! I’m Emilie, and I’m a visual storyteller specializing in comics with a BA in MADTech from NC State University and a MFA in Comics at the California College of the Arts. I’m currently working with a literary agent to publish my own graphic novel while I teach art camps and courses at Lune Spark Center for Creativity! I love the accessibility of comics and its use as a tool for communication and the sharing of profound life experiences and unique worldviews. I’m really looking forward to exploring the medium of comics with others and helping them create their own compelling visual narratives!

Architecture // Form in Focus

In this workshop, students will explore the process of form finding and making. They will engage in a conceptual phase of design through ideation, iteration, and craftsmanship. Through collaging, students will establish a concept for a pavilion that promotes leisure and gathering spaces. These concepts will be translated into form-based models to explore various iterations. Additionally, participants will learn the basics of architectural drawing and will grow a deeper understanding of both the preliminary and practical design skills. 

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

Instructor // Lira Gomes

Hello everyone! My name is Lira and I am from Cary, North Carolina. I am currently pursuing a Master’s of Advanced Architectural Studies at NC State University where I am conducting research about terroir and architecture inspired by my study abroad in Italy during my undergraduate years. I enjoy working with the process of design through collage, diagrams, and colorful graphics. Iterating on ideas is a vital part of the design process and embracing diverse approaches creates comprehensive learning and understanding.

Industrial Design // Take a Seat and Make a Seat

Chairs: a staple of the Design profession, and the source of some of the most iconic Designs of all time. But what makes a chair beautiful? And what makes it work? In this Industrial Design workshop, you’ll learn how to reinterpret Architectural motifs in a chair design, creating a piece of furniture with a beautiful shape and appropriate load-bearing abilities. You’ll find inspiration, sketch, prototype, and build a scale model of your chair to take home!

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

Instructor // Luke Ramsdell

I’m Luke, and I am currently studying Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering at NCSU. My enthusiasms include furniture, sporting equipment, and tools. I am a passionate nerd for design, engineering and science, and I believe that magical things happen at the intersections of these fields. I aim to formulate a fun learning environment where students are enabled to discover a love for creating.

Architecture // It’s a Facade!

Come explore the exciting world of architectural design! In this hands-on, one-day workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of facade design by conceptualizing and creating a unique building exterior. Each student will receive a unique client brief and be challenged to design a facade (exterior of the building) that reflects the client’s brand and identity, all while considering aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.

By the end of the workshop, students will have multiple sketches, iteration models, and also a final design!

Whether you’re dreaming of a career in architecture or just love design, this workshop will empower you to think critically and creatively about how buildings interact with their environments. No prior experience is needed—just bring your imagination and passion for design!

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

Instructor // Gargi Wadodkar

I am Gargi Wadodkar and I am currently studying Architecture with a minor in Business Administration and Landscape Architecture. I love working with people and learning about all the cool sides of architecture. I am particularly passionate about how architecture affects environmental, sustainability and equity factors. In my free time I love reading and watching fantasy/period movies and TV shows! I am also a really big foodie and love trying new dishes and places to eat. 

Graphic and Experience Design // Brand It or Built It: A Graphic and Experience Design Challenge with a Twist 

The Graphic and Experience Design discipline has tons of opportunities within it, including branding, user experience, user interface, interaction design, print design, marketing, motion graphics, publication, typography, etc. Are you interested in one or more of these things? Come learn the ins and outs of Graphic and Experience Design to see what you could do in this career field.

You will be able to choose between two projects to complete:

Use your creativity to design a new business concept for a mystery product. The final product will be a complete brand guide showcasing the business’ logos, patterns, icons, color pallet, typography choices, and imagery all made by you!

OR

Create unique online product pages for a mystery product using a brand guide given to you. Learn the basics of Figma, a new software used by most professionals in the industry today.

For both projects, the product you are working with will be chosen by a mystery wheel, to simulate the many different projects you could be given by clients.

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $70

Instructor // Megan Mersch

My name is Megan Mersch and I am currently studying Graphic and Experience Design at N.C. State. I really enjoy branding, marketing, user interface and user experience design. I was previously a counselor for the Design Lab for Design Camp over the summer. I’m super excited to teach the ins and outs of graphic design and help students decide if this major is right for them.

Industrial Design // Lightbulb Moment: An Exploration into Lighting Design 

Ready for your “lightbulb” moment? Put on your inventor hat as we dive into the enchanting world of product design to create a whimsical lighting project. This immersive workshop will guide students through fantastical user personas, rapid idea generation, and stylized sketching techniques. Through collaborative brainstorming sessions and 3-dimensional prototyping, students will gain understanding of the design process in a dynamic and supportive environment. Enhance your design skills and bring your innovative lighting ideas to life!

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

Instructor // Emma Kalish

I am Emma Kalish and I hold a Bachelor of Industrial Design from NC State University’s College of Design. I attended ELISAVA School of Design & Engineering in Barcelona while studying abroad where I pursued further education in product, furniture, and packaging design. Following graduation, I moved to California for an opportunity with JG SWITZER as a textile designer and project manager. There I focused on optimizing production processes, creating and maintaining relationships with interior designers, and participating in major design exhibitions such as the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City. Currently residing in Raleigh, I work as a freelance graphic and product designer for local companies. With a strong foundation in design thinking, project management, and product design, I am enthusiastic about teaching workshops where I can share my knowledge and connect with young designers.

Media Arts, Design and Technology //  Illuminating 3D Design: An Introduction to Lighting, Textures, and Materials in Blender

This beginner-friendly workshop introduces students to the basics of 3D design using Blender. Participants will explore foundational lighting theory and learn how to illuminate scenes and objects with ease. The workshop also covers how to create textures using procedural nodes and craft simple materials. Designed for beginners, this session provides an accessible introduction to what can be accomplished in Blender, offering a glimpse into the creative possibilities of 3D design.

  • Grade Range: 9th – 12th Grade
  • Total Seats: 20
  • Cost: $70

Instructor // Gabrielle Edwards

Hi there! My name is Gabrielle Edwards, and I am a professor at North Carolina A&T State University. In addition, I work as a practicing artist with a focus on design, lighting, color theory, and drawing. I graduated with a BFA in drawing and printmaking from UNCG and an MA in MADTech from NC State College of Design. I have enjoyed developing concept art, environment design, 3D models, and VR/AR projects because of my MADTech background. Looking forward to working with each of you.

Prior to Registering, Please Read the Following:

Registration Process and Policies

  • Registration will open in September 2024.
  • The registration fee for each online workshop ranges from $60 – $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 6 calendar days prior to its date (ie. registration will close for a workshop on the Sunday 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

*Registration Opens End of September 2024*

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