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 2025 // Weekend Workshops

Fall 2025 workshops will be announced at the end of September 2025. Check back then or join our newsletter to stay-up-to-date on program offerings.

Spring 2025 // Weekend Workshops

Spring 2025 workshop registration is closed.

The Design Lab is excited to offer ten in-person Weekend Workshops this spring 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 February 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 // Spring 2025

Saturdays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Middle School Workshop

Architecture // Market Morph

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. By sketching and extracting forms from existing architecture, students will establish a concept for a food market pavilion. These concepts will be translated into form-based models to explore various iterations. Participants will learn the basics of an architectural parti sketch and will grow a deeper understanding of both the preliminary and practical design skills.

Grade Range: 6th – 8th Grade
Total Seats: 20
Cost: $70

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.

High School Workshops

Industrial Design // Take a Seat and Make a Seat

Seating is a long-time fixture of the industrial design profession. Designing a chair involves form development, ergonomics, design for manufacturing, and many other powerful ID skills. In this workshop, students will gather inspiration for, sketch, and prototype their very own chair design. At the end of the workshop, each student will have a scale model of their design to present to the class and test using our weighted human scale figures. Take a Seat and Make a Seat is a great fit for students who enjoy working with their hands, designing in a 3D space, and considering users’ needs.

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

Instructor // Luke Ramsdell

I am Luke, a senior studying Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering. I’m fascinated by the crossover between analytical and creative mindsets as it applies to design and making. Design topics of interest include: furniture, bicycles and science-inspired experiential design work. If you’re interested in interdisciplinary work in design or have a particular desire to create with your hands, let’s learn together!

Media Arts, Design and Technology // Storyboards and Stanzas

Become a storyboard artist for a day and discover how to transform an idea into an exciting visual sequence! In this workshop, you can delve into the basics of scene composition, camera transitions, and narrative beats to create your own unique storyboard based on your interpretation of a famous poem. Together, we can uncover the variety of applications of storyboarding and its strengths as a visual planning tool in collaborative spaces! After constructing your storyboards, learn about how you can set your scenes to sound by creating an animatic. Come join us in sharing and exploring our unique narrative voices!

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 an art instructor at Lune Spark Center for Creativity and for the Visual Arts program at Wake Tech Community College! 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!

Industrial Design // Designed, Sealed, Delivered

Almost every home has a mailbox, but many go unnoticed. While they serve a practical purpose—marking a home’s number and location—they often blend into the background.

In this workshop, you’ve been tasked by a homeowner to design and build a one-of-a-kind mailbox that reflects their personal style. Your challenge is to create a dazzling mailbox that makes a statement, showcasing their personality to anyone who visits or drives by.

Along the way, we’ll explore how product design relies on users identifying with the attributes of a product—seeing themselves reflected in the design. This workshop will also emphasize prototyping techniques, challenging students to create a self-standing functional model up to 12 inches high.

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

Instructor // Emma Kalish

Hi, I’m Emma Kalish! I’m a graduate of NC State University’s College of Design, with a Bachelor’s Degree in industrial Design. I attended ELISAVA School of Design & Engineering in Barcelona while studying abroad where continued to learn about product, furniture, and packaging design. Following graduation, I moved to California for an opportunity to work as a textile designer and project manager. 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.

Architecture // Hydrotecture: Building with Water in Mind

In this hands-on workshop, students will explore the exciting challenge of designing architecture that can withstand flooding or float in response to rising water levels. Through guided work, they will learn about the principles of resilient design, buoyancy, and flood mitigation while drawing inspiration from innovative real-world examples. Participants will sketch, prototype, and build scaled models of their designs using accessible materials. The workshop emphasizes creative problem-solving, structural innovation, and environmental awareness.

At the end of the session, students will test their models in a water simulation to evaluate how well they perform under flood conditions or buoyancy challenges. This interactive and dynamic process allows students to reflect on their design decisions and explore improvements. The goal is to inspire the next generation of architects to think critically about climate-resilient design while fostering teamwork and creativity.

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.

Media Arts, Graphic Design and Technology // What’s The Word: Typography as Narrative in Design

In this workshop, students will explore how typography can be a powerful tool for storytelling. Through dynamic poster design exercises, they’ll learn how font choice, spacing, and composition shape emotion and meaning. Participants will experiment with different techniques to bring narratives to life. Guided by design principles and real-world examples, they’ll gain insight into how professional designers use type to communicate messages effectively. By the end of the session, each student will create their own narrative-driven poster, blending typography with visual storytelling.

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

Instructor // Ethan Hunt

I’m Ethan, a graduate student in the MADTech program since 2023 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 // Nature’s Blueprint

Discover how nature can inspire stunning architectural designs in Nature’s Blueprint! In this hands-on workshop, students will explore the principles of biomimicry and biophilic design to create a unique facade for an outdoor pavilion. Participants will learn how to draw design inspiration from natural forms, patterns, and ecosystems, blending aesthetics with sustainability. Through sketches, models, and creative exploration, students will transform ideas from the natural world into innovative architectural solutions. Perfect for aspiring designers who want to see how nature and architecture come together to shape spaces that are both beautiful and functional.

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

Instructor // Victoria Rodriguez

Hi! I’m Victoria Rodriguez, and I’m from West Hartford, Connecticut. I studied Interior Architecture at UNC Greensboro, and after working as an Interior Designer for a couple of years, I decided to take the next big step: getting my Master of Architecture at NC State. Now, I’m in my final semester, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead! I’ve always loved creating spaces that don’t just look good but truly work for the people who use them, which drives my passion for solving real-world design challenges. One of my favorite experiences was being a Teaching Assistant during Design Camp 2023, where I shared my knowledge and was inspired by students’ creativity, leading me to continue teaching weekend workshops to help others explore the design process and discover architecture.

If you’re interested in design, architecture, or even just how spaces around us come to life, I’d love to share my journey and help you explore yours. Architecture is all about creativity, problem-solving, and making an impact—and there’s no better time to start than right now!

Design Fundamentals // Smell-O-Vision: Designing the Invisible

In this workshop, students will explore the fundamentals of creative project organization and concept development through an experimental design approach. They will be challenged to take an immaterial experience—scent—and translate it into a visual concept by curating, assembling, and presenting mood boards.

Mood boards are essential tools in the design process, allowing designers to communicate abstract ideas, emotions, and atmospheres without relying on words. They serve as a bridge between inspiration and creation, helping to define a concept and guide design decisions. By using scent as the foundation for their designs, students will engage in abstract thinking, considering how intangible sensory experiences can be represented visually.

A variety of scents will be provided as inspiration, along with alternative sensory prompts—such as sound and texture—to ensure all students can fully engage in the design process.

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

Instructor // Steven Nohren

Hello! My name is Steven and I am a recent graduate of the design studies program. During my time in the College of Design, I have worked in and written about museums, researched and created many infographics, was the editor-in-chief of one of the longest running student run design publications, and even produced a short film internationally.

Outside of school, I have been working in furniture design for almost four years now and volunteer with the local gem and mineral club as their newsletter editor (I am a huge geek for cool rocks).

Architecture // Bridge the Gap!

Join us for an immersive design workshop on ecological architecture, where creativity meets sustainability! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn to model architectural solutions that harmonize nature and design to address the challenges of urbanization, floodplains, and wildlife migration. In this studio, you’ll have the opportunity to sharpen and explore drawing and modeling techniques while developing designs for bridges that enhance biodiversity and community connectivity. Join us for a day of making, learning, and exploring eco-conscious architecture, where we will bridge the gap between people and nature!

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

Instructor // Abby Lundergan

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

I am passionate about designing spaces for architecture and environments to co-exist, aiming to build connections between people and ecosystems 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. 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, backpacking, and snowboarding!

Media Arts, Design and Technology // Storytelling Through Design: Create Worlds from Your Imagination

Have you ever wanted to bring your stories to life in 3D? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll dive deep into the art of storytelling and explore how to turn your imagination into tangible, immersive environments! Whether you’re a designer, artist, or just someone passionate about creating, this workshop is for you.

You will learn techniques for developing captivating narratives, and how to design environments that enhance and reflect your story. Through hands-on crafting, you will bring your ideas to life by creating real-life spaces.

This workshop is perfect for anyone who loves both design and storytelling. You’ll leave with not only a unique piece of art but the skills to express your creativity in new and exciting ways!

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 February 2025.
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 is NOW Closed

Archive of Past Workshops

Design Lab Newsletter Signup

To receive monthly updates on our programs, including information on Design Camp, please sign up for our newsletter.

"*" indicates required fields

Email*

First Name*

Last Name*

I am a:

Middle School Student

High School Student

Parent

Teacher

Guidance Counselor

Design Lab/Design Camp Alumni

Parent of Design Lab/Design Camp Alumni

Community Member/Other

High School Graduation Year (if student):

School Name

School Address

School Address Line 2

City

Postal/Zip Code

County

Example: Wake County

State

Country

How did you hear about our programs?

CAPTCHA

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Weekend Workshops

Fall 2025 // Weekend Workshops

Spring 2025 // Weekend Workshops