Career Exploration Summer Programs

Welcome to Summer 2025!

We welcome high school students interested in design careers to join us for a summer of exploration! Our program builds community, enhances creativity and promotes responsibility for our participants.

• Students work collaboratively with each other in a studio environment.
• Each program results in pieces that can be used for portfolio submissions.
• Eligible students must be entering sophomore, junior or senior year of high school in the Fall of the year they plan to attend the program.

Please complete this interest form to be notified when registration opens in early January. For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), click here. If you require more information regarding program details, registration, or other inquiries you may contact us at hcadsummer@njit.edu. 

Program Descriptions:

Introduction to Architecture ( 2-week session, July 14-July 25)  

Week One: Fundamentals of Design ~ This program will immerse students in the world of architecture through daily hands-on project creation and rigorous analysis. It aims to familiarize students with the techniques and terminology commonly used in the field of architecture. Participants will gain a solid grasp of three-dimensional design principles and architectural fundamentals. In addition to these core concepts, students will cultivate professional skills in various areas, including field research, schematic drawing, and model construction, all of which will be applied to studio projects addressing both conceptual and practical architectural challenges. To provide students with a more immersive experience in design practice, a field trip will be organized, enhancing their understanding of scale, form, and spatial relationships – all crucial aspects for interpreting and appreciating the built environment.

Week Two: Advanced Design Techniques ~ In the second week of the program, we take a deeper dive into refining the skills introduced in week one. This week is dedicated to a more intensive exploration of the foundational concepts, as well as a thorough commitment to developing and meticulously documenting the design process. During the second week we work intensely on one architectural project and focus on producing detailed architectural drawings and models. The goal is producing work suitable for inclusion in a professional portfolio. It is particularly well-suited for students who are strongly considering architecture as their major and are seeking to create portfolio-level work. We will allocate dedicated class time for the purpose of portfolio development.

Introduction to Interior Design July 14-18

Interior design is not just about how a space looks, but also our experience inside of that space whether commercial, retail, hospitality, healthcare, or residential. This program will introduce students to interior design through hands-on work, basic design-build principles, the use of varying materials in a space, and field trips to experience and see the work of practicing interior designers. At the end of the one-week program, students will present a final project to their peers and faculty in the format of a typical college-level interior design studio review.

Introduction to Industrial Design (Product Design) July 14-18

Be both artist and engineer by making beautiful things that work. This hands-on program will expose you to the various physical and digital media, and design methods that will bring to life your own unique and functioning products. Learn the concept of design thinking, a process that will take you from brainstorming, to developing, to prototyping, to “pitching” your creations. The session will also provide an opportunity to learn software that will be instrumental in the use of digital fabrication technologies intersecting the physical and digital world. 

Introduction to Video Game Design July 21-25

Games take us into new worlds where we meet new characters and face new challenges.  Join us for the opportunity to create and bring your own character or environment to life through animation in a simulated world using the same software used by the creators of The Madalorian. Students will learn basic game design and animation principles including character design, lighting, scene design and staging as well as keyframe animation. Students will work together and independently sketching by hand and working with various software to transform the physical drawings into digital assets. 

Portfolio Building Workshop August 4-8

Portfolios are an integral and necessary part of the application process for any design school, regardless of major. Join us for a week of exploring and refining 2D and 3D design skills, as well as learning how to photograph and present your work. In this hands-on session students will work with a variety of software as well as physical materials to create, expand, and finesse their portfolios. We will also be including tutorials on Slideroom - the application many schools use for uploading portfolios as part of the admissions process. At the conclusion of the week, students will have the opportunity to present their work to their peers and parents, excellent practice for meeting with future admissions counselors.