Summer Springboard
Media & Design
ACADEMIC TRACK
About This Track
This track unleashes your creative potential with a bold focus on the core of visual storytelling, from slick branding and magnetic graphic design to immersive 3D modeling and next level prototyping. It is all about hands-on invention, creative process, and learning by doing: crafting personal identity through design, experimenting with emerging tools, and building standout branding that packs a punch.
The curriculum emphasizes the synergy between technical mastery and imaginative flair, equipping you to bring ideas to life in high impact, visually compelling ways.
What makes it truly buzzworthy is its immersive, real world vibe. You are not just learning theory, you are actively designing, iterating, and receiving feedback in a collaborative, creative setting. It is about strengthening your creative instincts, sharpening your visual communication skills, and making your voice heard through design.
Whether prototyping, branding, or exploring visual media, this track powers up your creative toolkit and leaves you ready to think and design like a pro.
Summer Springboard
Request a Free Program Catalog
Courses In This Track
Media and design are crucial elements everywhere we look – the ad copy we read in a magazine, the visual effects in the top box office movie, and more. In these courses, an emphasis is placed on craft, imagination, invention and the use of techniques and devices.
AI for Design & Media
Course
This course explores the emerging collaboration between human creativity and artificial intelligence through hands-on practice with text-to-image tools. Students will develop their artistic voice while working with original ideas, learning the full creative process from concept to final artwork. Emphasizing AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement, the course encourages critical thinking and creative experimentation. By the end, students will have begun a portfolio of AI-assisted art and explored career paths in digital art, creative technology, and AI ethics.
Campuses with this course:
Animation
Course
This pre-college course immerses high school students in the art and craft of animation through hands-on studio work and creative exploration. Students learn core principles, timing, movement, exaggeration and storytelling, while turning ideas into dynamic visual narratives.
Based in Los Angeles, the center of the animation world, the program connects classroom learning to industry practice through guest speakers, studio insights, and museum visits. By the end, students will create a short animated film that highlights their skills, creativity, and understanding of the animation process.
Campuses with this course:
Architecture
Course
The Summer Springboard architecture course for high school students introduces architectural ideas, design principles, and methods of exploring problems of the built environment in a collaborative studio setting. While working on a design project you will learn about the academic path to an architectural degree, the day-to-day work of an architect, and the career opportunities.
Campuses with this course:
Architecture Design & Restoration
Course
In this course, students use Yale’s campus as a design studio to explore architecture and historic preservation. Through sketching, measured drawing, and model-making, they learn how architects and engineers reimagine spaces and develop an original design proposal. No prior experience is required.
Campuses with this course:
Design Thinking & Rapid Prototyping
Course
This course will introduce students to 3D CAD design and fast prototyping using a 3D printer that they will make to take home with them. Students will learn how to design products using Autodesk Fusion360 and then build a Creality Ender Pro V2 3D printer. They will also learn how to use the 3D printer for fast prototyping, review, and improvements of their designs.
The course will cover the principles of 3D CAD design, including design methodology, geometric modeling, and assembly modeling. Students will also learn the fundamentals of 3D printing, including how to select and maintain a 3D printer, materials, and printing techniques.
Campuses with this course:
Fashion Merchandising
Course
Uncover your passion for fashion and explore diverse career opportunities in one of the world’s most iconic fashion cities: NYC. Renowned for their rich history of top fashion events, leading designers, and a thriving fashion culture, these cities are legendary and exert tremendous influence in the fashion world. Prepare to use these cities as your living classrooms for an exciting journey of discovery.
Campuses with this course:
Filmmaking
Course
This course focuses on the fundamental elements of visual storytelling that enables students to direct their own projects. Whether you have little experience, or are a Steven Spielberg in the making, gain experience in the entertainment capital of the world.
Campuses with this course:
Interior Design I
Course
Students will learn the fundamentals such as drafting, color theory, and materials, the course takes a practical approach by starting with a topic close to everyone’s heart – home. Through hands-on projects focused on apartment/home design, students will gain insights into furniture dynamics, spatial flow, and the psychology of interior spaces.
Campuses with this course:
Interior Design II
Course
This course introduces a dynamic shift towards the hospitality sector, incorporating the designs of hotels and restaurants.
Throughout the two-weeks, participants will explore the world of hospitality spaces by visiting some of the city’s premier campus hotels, as well as exploring various restaurants and cafes. The experiential learning extends beyond observation as students are encouraged to select a client and craft a designated space tailored to their needs, fostering a deeper understanding of design application.
Campuses with this course:
Journalism & Broadcasting
Course
This two-week program is designed for students who love storytelling and want to explore journalism and broadcasting. Students learn how reporters find stories, interview sources, fact-check, and write and present news for TV, radio, podcasts, and social media, while gaining hands-on experience with video and audio production. The course culminates in producing and presenting their own newscast or podcast episode, building practical skills they can apply across the media industry.
Campuses with this course:
Music Production & Management
Course
The Music Production and Management program provides high school students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the creative and business aspects of the music industry, with the added benefit of being based in Los Angeles, one of the world’s premier music and entertainment hubs.
Campuses with this course:
Summer Springboard
Speak with our Admissions Team
*Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.