Summer Camps for Teens

Thank you for your interest in Summer Design Camps at SDCT. Registration has closed for 2023, but we invite you to join our email list for information regarding future camps.

Learn Design Skills at UT Austin

Get ready for another summer of fun and creativity with the School of Design and Creative Technologies! Designed and taught by UT Austin faculty, these courses will allow students from 8th grade through high school to get hands-on experience in a college classroom.

These fun, skill-building camps provide students with exposure to new software programs, a chance to explore interests before declaring a major, and an opportunity to build a portfolio piece as they prepare for college applications. For additional details, please see each camp listing below.

Summer 2023 Design Camp Offerings

3D Character Animation

Faculty: Jessie Contour
Dates: June 20–23, 2023
Time: 9am–3pm
Location: UT Austin Campus

Registration Closed

Learn the art of 3D animation! Camp will kick off by exploring industry standard animation software Autodesk Maya. After learning the ins and out of keyframing, students will put their skills into practice with several different character rigs. By the end of the week, each student will produce an animated 3D character that can be used in a game engine.

Graphic Design for the Music Industry

Faculty: Vic Rodriguez Tang
Dates: June 20–23, 2023
Time: 9am–3pm
Location: UT Austin Campus

Registration Closed

Students will get a taste of what it’s like to work as a visual designer in the music industry through a series of exercises and workshops that will test their imagination, problem-solving skills, and maybe even their taste in music. Students will create promotional designs for album covers, concert posters, merchandise, and more. This camp includes a visit to the letterpress studio to print the students’ custom designs.

Graphic for 2D Level Design summer camp at UT Austin depicting a Mario style game level with camp details

Level Design for 2D Games

Faculty: Andrew Augustin
Dates: June 12–16, 2023
Time: 9am–2pm
Location: UT Austin Campus

Registration Closed

Students can combine their creativity with their love for gaming through this comprehensive dive into the world of 2D level design techniques. They will be able to create fun, engaging multi-level games utilizing 2D assets and draft out the process with level design documentation.

Hands-On Graphic Design

Faculty: Vic Rodriguez Tang
Dates: June 12–16, 2023
Time: 9am–2pm
Location: UT Austin Campus

Registration Closed

During this camp, students will have a chance to take a break from the devices they use daily and will have an opportunity to explore analog methods related to graphic design. They will go through the process of brainstorming, ideating, refining ideas, and creating without needing a computer, tablet, or experience with any design-related software or prior experience in the field.

2D Game Art

Faculty: Andrew Augustin
Dates: June 5–9, 2023
Time: 9am–2pm
Location: UT Austin Campus

Registration Closed

Students will learn the tools and processes needed to create and implement their own 2D art for games. They will explore various styles of animation including pixel, traditional, and digital, and will be able to design and animate their own characters, NPCs, and environments by the end of the course.

Pricing & Discounts

Camp prices start at $800. There is a $100 add-on option for an open studio where students can continue to create and work on their projects after camp hours each day until 5pm.

Register early to take advantage of these discounts:

$100 off through the end of March
$50 off the cost of each camp when you register for two
$100 off the cost of each camp when you register for three

Scholarships Available

We have a small number of need-based scholarships available for students to attend camp. Criteria for scholarship determination is Free/Reduced Lunch or Texas Medicaid status.

Our 2023 scholarship application is now closed. We will start awarding scholarships on or after May 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are accommodations available on campus?

We are not able to offer on-campus accommodations for camp attendees. For those who are not local to Austin, we recommend looking into nearby hotels or Vrbo options.

Are there hardware/software recommendations?

For 2D Game Art, Level Design for 2D Games, and 3D Character Animation:

Please refer to this page for laptop recommendations. If you do not have access to recommended hardware, we have computers available for you to use on site.

Software recommendations vary by each camp:

2D Game Art: Construct 3 & Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (free alternative)
Level Design for 2D Games: Construct 3 & Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (free alternative)
3D Character Animation: Autodesk Maya (With a student account you can get a 3-year free license.)

For Letter Making, Hands-On Graphic Design, and Graphic Design for the Music Industry, there are no hardware or software recommendations.

Am I allowed to leave campus for lunch?

Camp attendees are not allowed to go off-campus for lunch. Please plan to pack a lunch each day or have lunch delivered.

What is open studio time?

Open studio time is an optional $100 add-on to the camp experience where students can continue to create and work on their projects after camp hours each day until 5pm.

Are scholarships available to cover the cost of tuition?

Yes, we have a small number of need-based scholarships available for students to attend camp. Criteria for scholarship determination is Free/Reduced Lunch or Texas Medicaid status.

Our 2023 scholarship application is now closed. We will start awarding scholarships on or after May 1.

Do I need to attend a 2D camp before attending a 3D camp?

Camps are not sequential and can be taken in any order. Students of all skill levels are encouraged to attend!

Will there be a final showcase of work at the end of each camp?

Yes! Students and their invited guests are welcome to attend a showcase presentation during the Friday afternoon of each camp. More details about each camp presentation will be sent via email.

What happens if I get sick? Can I get a refund?

We are not able to offer refunds for illness except in the event of a medical emergency with a doctor’s note.