This intensive program starts with a fun, fast-paced, “learn by doing” experience that gives students concrete tools and strategies to be more creative in solving complex problems. Students experience design thinking by working on a series of challenges that help them develop a specific mindset or strategy that is essential to the practice of design. From there students move into subsequent weeks of a guided design studio experience, where they demonstrate that they possess the character and skill set to be an innovative and positive contributor to their community.

This program runs in a studio format where an experienced design teacher guides students to complete a design thinking project addressing an important issue that students see in the world around them. Simultaneously, students get a few sessions of 1 on 1 mentorship from industry or design professionals.  These mentorship sessions are meant to support students in creating a stellar prototype. Upon successful completion of this program, participants will receive 3 units of Pre-College credit from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies.

This program meets for a total of 48 hours. January - April, class sessions are Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:30-6:30pm Pacific Time. In June - July classes meet Mondays-Thursdays from 9am-12:30pm or 1-4pm Pacific Time.

Multiple session options available

This Design Studio course equips students with the tools to intentionally design their futures by applying the design thinking process to career and personal life choices. Students will reflect on their passions, values, and strengths, and set actionable goals for both the short and long term. They will explore various career paths and educational opportunities, create vision boards, future roadmaps, and prototypes of their potential futures.

Through hands-on projects like mini internships, online courses, and shadowing professionals, students will test their ideas, iterate on their plans, and gain real-world experience. By the end of the course, students will have built a “Future Design Portfolio” showcasing their goals, prototypes, and next steps. This course also includes insights from guest speakers and an exploration of future trends and technologies to help students stay ahead in an ever-changing world.

This course is 32 hours. January - March, class meets on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30pm Pacific Time. In June - July classes meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9-11am Pacific Time.

Multiple session options available

This workshop develops AI literacy and explores with students how to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in solving complex design challenges, blending AI with the design thinking process.

Students learn how AI is designed and some of its capabilities. Then they explore AI tools for ideation, data analysis, prototyping, and testing, while also discussing the potential disadvantages and problems AI can bring to design work.  They will work on real-world projects that demonstrate how AI can assist with generating insights, automating feedback, and refining ideas based on user data. Each lesson is designed to help students apply AI in ways that complement their creativity and enhance problem-solving skills.

From using machine learning to simulate user interaction with prototypes to employing AI-powered brainstorming tools, this workshop introduces students to the future of design and innovation. By the end, students will have built a toolkit of AI-driven methods that will allow them to approach design challenges more efficiently and with deeper insight, while also developing their own internal guidelines for how to use AI in a healthy way.

This workshop is 4 hours. February - March, class meets on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 6:30pm Pacific Time. June & July classes meet on Mondays & Wednesdays from 2-4pm or Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9-11am Pacific Time.

Multiple session options available:

Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Innovation Certificate

Personalized guidance for students who want to take their design projects further and get them to a “portfolio-ready” state.  When students finish the Innovation Certificate they have a strong understanding of the problem they want to work on and a low resolution prototype that has seen some early testing. 

Many students have said they would like the opportunity to further iterate on their prototypes. They would like to validate their ideas thoroughly and get their prototypes to a more refined state. The goal for students who receive coaching is that they come away with a project portfolio and/or a project pitch that they can use in college admissions and job applications. Furthermore, they deepen their storytelling and design skills. 

Join an innovation coach for 1:1 or small team coaching sessions to further develop your prototype, gain feedback on your progress, or take your concept to the next level. This offering includes a total of 10 sessions and each session is 30 minutes.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Innovation Certificate OR Design Your Future

Our Internship Accelerator gives students who successfully complete the innovation certificate the opportunity to apply their new skills in a professional context while also gaining a better understanding of different career paths and the workings of the professional world. This short-term, task-based program offers students a snapshot of professional work within an organization. By being concise and focused, our program can provide valuable professional experiences for your people and help them begin building a network.

The Internship Accelerator is 4 weeks and students may enroll multiple times, but note it is only offered during June/July. 

Students must earn the Innovation Certificate OR complete Design Your Future prior to enrolling in Internship Accelerator.