This post is brought to you by Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc).

The future of architecture and design starts with the youth. SCI-Arc's Design Immersion Days (DID) is an immersive four-week summer program that introduces high school students to architecture and design. Participants are offered the opportunity to explore careers in architecture and design or simply satisfy deep curiosities about how products, buildings, and environments are designed and made. It is intended to inspire curiosity about the world of design, introduce basic design knowledge and critical thinking skills, and familiarize students with the expansive architecture and design culture of Los Angeles. 

Students get to know the city’s visual, structural, and cultural context through the lens of those most deeply engaged with shaping the cityscape: prominent architects who call Los Angeles their home. During the summer students are exposed to examples of design and modes of production at all scales, from sophisticated 3D modeling techniques to hand-modeling. In the classroom and in the city they explore ways of seeing, thinking, and doing that are essential for anyone interested in pursuing a career in architecture or design.

Students learn about a range of basic skills essential to exploring, discovering, and describing design work: freehand sketching, mechanical drafting, computer drawing, physical model making, and computer-based 3D modeling, as well as processes that enable fluid movement between the physical and the virtual realms.

Design Immersion Days is one of two summer programs offered at SCI-Arc. Admission for the program is on a rolling basis until capacity is reached. Early application is highly recommended to secure a place.