Extension Programs at ArtCenter

Did you know that becoming a designer can lead to a prosperous career? Learn about careers such as product design, spatial design, illustration, and graphic design which all have good salaries, interesting work, and high potential for growth. You will complete a project to explore the principles of each of these high potential fields and learn by creating. 

Learning to draw the human figure is one of the most fundamental—and rewarding—skills an artist or designer can develop. This intensive course builds essential observational and technical abilities through studying classical figure drawings and working with live, clothed models. You'll explore anatomy, proportion, gesture, and form while creating dynamic, three-dimensional representations in a variety of media. These skills translate directly to fine art, animation, illustration, and design careers. By week's end, you'll have expanded your drawing abilities and created portfolio-ready work.

Transform your passion for sneakers into real design skills in this hands-on one-week intensive. Explore the entire sneaker design process—from initial sketches and concept development to prototyping and presentation. Learn about foot anatomy, sneaker construction techniques, materials, and manufacturing processes while designing your own original footwear for sports, outdoor adventures, or street style. Discover the creative and technical skills professionals use in this specialized industry and explore educational and career pathways in footwear design. By week's end, you'll present your unique sneaker designs with confidence. 

Characters are the foundation of the stories in film, games, animation, comics and cartoons, and much of the culture and media we love! Learn to develop appealing original heroes, villains, and other iconic characters to make stories come alive. You will learn about the process of designing and constructing characters from thumbnail sketches to finished artwork and explore different styles and techniques as well as being introduced to what it is like to create and draw characters as a profession in the entertainment industry. 

Explore the world of digital photography! This intensive one-week workshop introduces participants to the art and technique of creating compelling photographs with an emphasize on visual storytelling and being intentional about crafting your unique vision.  This is a project-based course which is appropriate for both beginning and advanced students. Students are welcome to bring equipment if they have it, but equipment is also available for use during class time.  

Design immersive spaces that shape how people experience the world around them. This hands-on one-week intensive introduces spatial experience design—a holistic approach that combines architecture, interior design, furniture, lighting, materials, and branding to create comprehensive environments. Through sketching, drafting, and model making, you'll develop conceptual thinking skills while designing real-world projects like restaurants, retail stores, or residences. 

Draw, imagine, and create, now in the digital world. In this three-week studio course, you'll use your imagination and code to make work that responds and interacts with people, from games, apps, and websites to physical objects powered by sensors and electronics. You'll sketch ideas by hand, then learn to bring them to life with tools like AI, computer vision, and physical computing alongside game engines like Unity and Unreal. No tech or coding experience needed, just excitement to discover new creative tools. If you can think visually and like making things, you're ready! By the end, you'll see technology as just another medium for creative expression. 

Do you love the exciting imaginative fantasy worlds of games? Is your favorite part of gameplay making your way through each level? Learn what defines an immersive and engaging game and use your imagination to create your own storyworld and dynamic game concepts in this class. 

Bring imaginary worlds and unforgettable characters to life in this comprehensive three-week intensive. Learn the complete creative process used by entertainment industry professionals—from developing characters with distinct personalities and visual styles to designing the environments they inhabit. Explore gesture, expression, anatomy, and storytelling while creating fantasy landscapes, architectural spaces, and dramatic worlds for animation, games, film, and television. Storyboard scenes, conceptualize environments, and develop a cohesive vision that showcases your unique creative voice.  

Note: If you are new to character design, consider taking the one-week introduction as preparation for this class.

Discover how designers combine text, images, and color to create compelling visual messages. Through hands-on projects, you'll gain experience with fundamental design principles like composition, typography, and color theory. Create social media graphics, app icons, brand logos, or posters that showcase your unique creative voice. Learn to organize ideas, solve visual problems, and build a versatile design portfolio. No prior experience necessary—just bring your creativity and ideas! By week's end, you'll have professional skills and a final project demonstrating your digital design skills. 

Learn to design and illustrate garments: Perfect for students interested in costume design, fashion design, character design, or illustration careers! Working from live models and historical references, you'll explore figure proportion, fabric rendering, and garment details while cultivating your own illustration style. Study iconic fashion illustrators, contemporary design trends, and costume history as you create original designs for fashion, film, theater, or video games. No sewing involved—this class focuses on visual design and illustration techniques. 

Bring your wildest creature ideas to life! Learn to design believable monsters and animals for movies, video games, and animation. Starting with real animal and human imagery for reference, you'll discover how to mix and match anatomy, add imaginative elements, and create everything from four-legged beasts to towering monsters. This class is perfect for aspiring concept artists, illustrators, and animators who want to create creatures with personality and charisma. By week's end, you'll have portfolio-ready creature designs that grab attention and tell compelling stories.  

Design the cars of tomorrow in this hands-on one-week intensive. Learn the fundamental drawing techniques, design principles, and presentation methods that transportation design professionals use to bring vehicle concepts to life. Through sketching, illustration, and critique sessions, you'll develop and visually communicate your ideas—from sleek sedans to futuristic concept vehicles. Work toward portfolio-worthy final projects and showcase your designs in a final exhibition. Perfect for anyone passionate about vehicles and exploring industrial design careers.