Animation Studio, Grades 9–12
Design your own characters and learn how to animate them. In this course, students create original characters, develop their visual storytelling skills, and learn the principles of traditional animation to make their characters move. Working with a professional
animator, students experiment with both hands-on and digital animation approaches, explore the history of animation, and learn about animation as a career.
Architecture, Grades 9–12
Learn the fundamentals of three-dimensional and architectural design. Develop professional skills in field research, schematic drawing, and model making as you complete studio projects that involve conceptual and concrete architectural problems. Heighten
your awareness of scale, form, and spatial relationships, essential for interpreting the built environment. Trips to design firms and architecturally significant buildings help you understand what it means to be an architect. Drawing is incorporated
in the projects of this studio.
Digital Video and Photography, Grades 9–12
New York City provides the visual inspiration for students as they explore themes and develop narratives using still photography and collaborate with classmates to create short films. Students view current exhibits and are visited by professionals working
in the field. Students must have a DSLR camera.
Fashion Accessory Design, Grades 9–12
Use sketching as a design process to develop a collection of handbags, belts, wallets, and shoes with the help of a professional. Design and make a handbag. Deepen your understanding of the fashion and accessory world through field trips and lectures
by guest speakers. Develop portfolio pieces through drawing.
Fashion Design I, Grades 9–12
A professional designer helps you visualize and render fashion ideas, from research and concept development to the creation of final illustrations. Through class discussions on the fashion industry, you learn to recognize the qualities of well-designed
garments. Field trips and visits by industry professionals inform you about processes, trends, and careers in fashion.
Fashion Design II, Grades 9–12
Explore the role of fashion in society and the positive impact fashion designers can have on the world. Develop your skills in fashion drawing and garment construction. Hear guest speakers and take field trips to learn about socially and environmentally
responsible design.
Game Design, Grades 9–12
Creativity is key as you plan, produce, and test digital and analog games. Conduct experiments exploring game design and interactive systems while learning about the processes involved in creating your favorite games. Develop skills in teamwork and systems
thinking that can be applied in all types of creative projects.
Graphic Design, Grades 9–12
Graphic design is all around you — on subway posters, websites, T-shirts, candy wrappers. It is the medium in which words and images combine to communicate messages effectively. This class is a traditional studio in which students focus on learning creative
problem-solving techniques and the basics of graphic form and expressive typography.
Illustration, Grades 9–12
Illustrators are visual thinkers who create comics, computer and film animation, video games, children’s books, graphics for skateboards, images for magazines and newspapers, and many other kinds of visuals. This course introduces students to the types
of projects contemporary illustrators work on and helps them develop their skills and style.
Interior Design, Grades 9–12
Students work with a professional designer on a complete interior design project, from initial concept to final presentation. They develop skills in freehand sketching, manual drafting, collage, and model building while representing and testing spatial
and material ideas. Students consider clients’ needs and aesthetic preferences as they design a functional interior and choose appropriate finishes. Coursework focuses on spatial design applications and concepts rather than interior decorating.
Painting and Drawing, Grades 9–12
Develop your ability to draw and paint from observation, a skill essential to visual expression. Work in the studio, in museums, and throughout New York City to complete portraits, landscapes, and imaginative projects. Investigate line, value, form, color,
and composition through structured assignments. Research, field trips, and visits from working artists deepen your understanding of the problem-solving methods used by artists in the past and today.
Portfolio Development: Fine Arts, Grades 9–12
This course is designed for students interested in enhancing their college admission portfolios. This section is dedicated to students who wish to focus on drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. Through skill-building exercises, experimentation,
and research-based projects, students develop a personal vision and learn what is expected in a portfolio. Digital workshops inform students about best practices for documenting and presenting finished projects. Students gain skills in communicating
about their work in group discussions and learn to offer feedback to peers through critique. Prerequisite: art and design experience.
Portfolio Development, Grades 11–12
This course is designed for students interested in enhancing their college admission portfolios. This section is dedicated to students who wish to focus on graphic, fashion, product, and other areas of design. Through skill-building exercises, experimentation,
and research-based projects, students develop a personal vision and learn what is expected in a portfolio. Digital workshops inform students about best practices for documenting and presenting finished projects. Students gain skills in communicating
about their work in group discussions and learn to offer feedback to peers through critique. Prerequisite: art and design experience.
Printmaking: Drawing and Design, Grades 9–12
In this introductory course, students explore graphics, color theory, drawing, design, and composition through various printmaking processes. They create portfolio-quality prints using professional techniques in a range of assignments, both representational
and conceptual. The class covers etching, drypoint, and monotype as well as less conventional techniques.
Product Design, Grades 9–12
Learn from a design professional about how a new product moves from a concept to the market. Invent your own product to solve a real world problem by conducting research and creating a three-dimensional prototype. Students work in teams to find creative
solutions while developing technical skills in drawing and model making.