You Belong Here
So much is in store for you at Lesley University! Now that you’ve been accepted, RSVP for our exclusive celebration for new undergraduate and Threshold students for either Saturday, March 23 or Saturday, April 27.
Lunder Arts Center in Porter Square, Cambridge, MA (Two blocks MBTA/regional rail station!).

2024 College Courses for High School and Gap-Year Students at Lesley's College of Art and Design (Lesley Art + Design)

2024 Summer Pre-College Courses                                                             

Monday to Friday, July 15-19 & July 22-26, 2024.

Are you a rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior, or a gap-year student, thinking ahead to college and your future career? Here's an idea: Enroll in college-level studio classes taught by inspiring faculty at Lesley University's College of Art and Design (Lesley Art + Design) and meet other young people who are as driven and creative as you are.

Explore what you can do at Lesley Art + Design and find out what it feels like to be a college student by choosing from an array of courses and departments. Sign up for more than one course by mixing and matching morning classes (9:30 am - 1:00 pm) and afternoon classes (2:00 - 5:30 pm) to create your ideal summer schedule. You can sign up for half a day or all day with a one-hour lunch break between classes. Celebrate your accomplishments at a special exhibition and reception on the last day of the program, Friday, July 26.

Pre-College Alumni Gallery:

Pre-College Week 1: July 15-19 Courses & Schedule

1-week course | 1 college credit | $325 + $20 one-time registration fee | Inquire about merit- and need-based scholarships.

Mornings (9:30 am - 1:00 pm)

  • Darkroom Techniques

    Students will explore the magic of the darkroom.  This course is designed to introduce or expand students’ skillsets in traditional Black and White photography.  We will discuss a variety of techniques in creating both negatives and prints, while also familiarizing ourselves with the creative and technical aspects of these processes.  We will develop 35mm film and learn to make traditional B&W darkroom prints.  Different format cameras, lighting scenarios and genres will be explored.  By the end of the course, you will have a thorough understanding of B&W photography, both technically and conceptually. Students will leave with a small portfolio of B&W photographic prints. 

    One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course.  
     

  • Fine Arts Portfolio Prep

    Are you interested in getting ready for the art school admission process?  And do you want to learn how to explore your personal interests and push your skills?  This course is designed for students who want to apply to art college in fine arts or another undeclared major.  You will engage in a range of exercises, from observational drawing to mixed media and content-driven work.  Along the way, you’ll gain exposure to contemporary fine artists to help inspire new ideas and your art-making process!  Through individual and group feedback, you’ll learn how to edit and organize your work to compile your strongest portfolio possible.  Finally, you’ll develop the ability to talk about your own work and be ready for the college interview process.

    One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course.

  • Filmmaking Essentials (Week 1 of 2)

    Bring your vision to life with a modern approach to independent filmmaking and evolving individual aesthetics. This hands-on, intensive course offers you the opportunity to create individual video projects utilizing classic filmmaking techniques and emerging smart phone technologies. With a combination of viewings and exercises, you'll gain an understanding of experimental video forms as well as traditional, narrative work. You’ll also learn the workflows of independent filmmaking and gain insight on film festival overviews. Guided by faculty, you'll be immersed in the process of producing video shorts, from pre-production to post-production to final export.

    Two transferrable college credits will be awarded upon successful completion of this two-week course. 

  • Design Techniques for Sneaker Innovation

    Graphic Design is about making things happen whether it’s in the street or on the digital page. Designers use a visual and strategic creative process, to design solutions for real world, practical applications. This course introduces the designer's process from concept, to application, and how designed solutions in Boston’s sneaker industry affect the world. Topics covered will include visual brainstorming, concept sketching, connections, typography, form and layout, and more. By the end of this course, students will have a broadened view of the graphic design field, and the impact it can have on society.  

    One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course.

Afternoons (2:00pm - 5:30 pm)

  • Intro to Portrait Drawing

    Drawing facial features and composing portraits can be challenging.  This course provides you with an intimate understanding of how to conceptualize and construct a portrait, overcoming some of the hurdles in the process.  You’ll have a chance to use a variety of source material and media, gaining the ability to utilize techniques such as proportion, structure, features, likeness, and perspective from different angles.  Towards the end of the week, studio assignments will allow you to explore more personal and expressive approaches while developing successful portraits.  

    One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course.  

  • Get Gaming! (Week 1 of 2)

    Eager to learn the basics of game design through hands on experience? Join this week-long course where you'll collaborate on teams to create a playable mini-game demo. Along with short talks and Q&A sessions offering guidance throughout the process, teams will explore key aspects of game development via paper planning and "modding" digital templates. From mapping out a plan with an appropriate scope, to creating dynamic media assets, to iterating on ideas, we'll test the limits of our creativity within the agile structure of a “Game Jam.” One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course.

  • Designing Your Own Personal Brand

    A personal brand can help visually define who you are as an artist/designer. In this course students will model different professional methods for developing their own personal logo, which can later be used for self-promotion, resumes, social media and/or selling your art + design work.

     

     

Pre-College Week 2: July 22-26 Courses & Schedule

1-week course | 1 college credit | $325 + $20 one-time registration fee | Inquire about merit- and need-based scholarships.

Mornings (9:30 am - 1:00 pm)

  • Comics + the Graphic Novel

    This course explores the history and craft of visual narratives including comics, graphic novels, and storyboards. You’ll examine historic and contemporary examples of sequential narratives and visual storytelling. You’ll work on developing a story concept, creating dynamic characters and environments, and formatting your work. Through in-class demonstrations and hands-on studio time, you’ll explore a rich variety of techniques that will help you bring your story to life.  

    One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course.  
     

  • Performance and Action in Animation:

    This course will introduce students to animation as a narratively drawn art form.  Students will explore both traditional and technical drawing production tools that will support animation development and completion of their shorts. 

  • Filmmaking Essentials (Week 2 of 2)

    Bring your vision to life with a modern approach to independent filmmaking and evolving individual aesthetics. This hands-on, intensive course offers you the opportunity to create individual video projects utilizing classic filmmaking techniques and emerging smart phone technologies. With a combination of viewings and exercises, you'll gain an understanding of experimental video forms as well as traditional, narrative work. You’ll also learn the workflows of independent filmmaking and gain insight on film festival overviews. Guided by faculty, you'll be immersed in the process of producing video shorts, from pre-production to post-production to final export.

    Two transferrable college credits will be awarded upon successful completion of this two-week course. 

Afternoons (2:00 pm - 5:30 pm)

  • Get Gaming! (Week 2 of 2)

    Eager to learn the basics of game design through hands on experience? Join this week-long course where you'll collaborate on teams to create a playable mini-game demo. Along with short talks and Q&A sessions offering guidance throughout the process, teams will explore key aspects of game development via paper planning and "modding" digital templates. From mapping out a plan with an appropriate scope, to creating dynamic media assets, to iterating on ideas, we'll test the limits of our creativity within the agile structure of a “Game Jam.”

    One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course.

  • Comics + the Graphic Novel

    This course explores the history and craft of visual narratives including comics, graphic novels, and storyboards. You’ll examine historic and contemporary examples of sequential narratives and visual storytelling. You’ll work on developing a story concept, creating dynamic characters and environments, and formatting your work. Through in-class demonstrations and hands-on studio time, you’ll explore a rich variety of techniques that will help you bring your story to life.  

    One transferrable college credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this one-week course. 

Questions?
Contact the Lesley Pre-College