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Ever wonder why some games are instantly addictive while others fall flat? In this camp, you'll learn the design principles that separate great games from mediocre ones. Working with university faculty, you'll explore game mechanics, progression systems, character design, and interactive storytelling. You'll develop your own game concept from scratch and document it professionally—creating the blueprint that developers use to build actual games. This camp teaches you to think systematically about game design, giving you skills used by professional designers at major studios.

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Ready to turn game concepts into playable realities? In this camp, you'll learn the technical skills developers use to build functioning games. Working in a game engine, you'll learn fundamentals such as level design, user interface creation, and playtesting methods. You'll build a working prototype of your own game—something you can actually play and share. This is where design meets engineering: you'll learn to build functional gameplay mechanics, construct interactive levels, and iterate based on testing. By the end of the week, you'll have a functional game and understand the development pipeline professionals use.

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Learn to create game art like a professional. This camp teaches you the complete art pipeline for 2D games: designing memorable characters, building immersive environments, creating sprite sheets, and animating gameplay elements. You'll experiment with various art styles to find what works for your game, then implement your artwork directly into a functioning game engine. Whether you're continuing from our development camp or starting fresh, you'll finish with a visually polished game and understand how artists collaborate with developers in professional studios.

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Do you find yourself wondering how the products you use every day were designed? In this camp, you'll learn the creative process behind real-world product design. You'll generate ideas, sketch concepts, and build physical prototypes using hands-on fabrication techniques. Working like professional industrial designers, you'll explore how form meets function, test your ideas through iteration, and refine your designs based on real-world feedback. By the end of the week, you'll have created tangible prototypes of your product ideas and understand the fundamentals of the design process used by professionals at companies like Apple, Nike, and beyond.

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Ready to bring your product ideas into the digital world? This camp teaches you professional 3D modeling using Rhino, the industry-standard CAD software used by designers and engineers. You'll learn to navigate 3D space, translate your sketches into precise digital models, and master fundamental modeling techniques including solid modeling and surface design. You'll also learn rendering basics and how to prepare your models for 3D printing. By the end of the week, you'll be able to create accurate digital representations of your product designs—an essential skill for any designer or engineer.

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This is where your designs become presentation-ready. In this advanced camp, you'll master sophisticated CAD techniques including surface design and SubD modeling that allow you to create even the most complex organic shapes. You'll learn professional rendering workflows, advanced material creation, and how to use AI tools to seamlessly integrate your products into photorealistic images. By the end of the week, you'll know how to take a product from initial concept through prototype to polished, production-ready visualization—the complete skillset professional product designers use to pitch ideas and bring products to market.

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When you are at concert, do you wonder who designed those iconic posters that capture the energy of live music? In this camp, you'll learn the traditional printmaking techniques professionals use to create them. Working with our collection of antique letterpress and screen-printing equipment, you'll explore graphic design fundamentals, typography, and hands-on printing methods that have been used for decades. You'll create your own prints while mastering the craft, and for your final project, you'll design and print an original poster inspired by Austin's legendary live music scene. This is a unique opportunity to learn physical design skills—the kind that create tangible, collectible art—while exploring the visual culture of the music industry.

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Want to see how animated characters come to life? In this camp, you'll learn professional 3D animation using Autodesk Maya—the same software used by studios like Pixar, Disney, and major game developers. Starting with the classic animator's exercise (the bouncing ball), you'll master fundamental principles like timing, weight, and movement. Then you'll progress to increasingly complex animations, culminating in a full character animation. By the end of the week, you'll understand the techniques professional animators use and have a portfolio piece demonstrating your skills in industry-standard software.

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Do you wonder how theme parks create magical experiences or how venues like the Sphere in Las Vegas bring audiences into another world? In this camp, you'll learn the professional techniques behind immersive entertainment design. Working with motion capture systems, lighting design, and video projection, you'll discover how designers combine technology and creativity to transport audiences. As a team, you'll create your own immersive installation that responds to movement with synchronized light, sound, and visuals. By the end of the week, you'll understand how the pros design unforgettable experiences.