Smiling students in downtown detroit for the Precollege Summer Experience course

Summer at CCS: one of the smartest moves you’ll make

Summer 2023 – July 9 – 29

Our Precollege program helps you build your portfolio and prepare you for college. So step into something totally new — something you have never tried before, or enhance what you already know about your favorite subject. Choose a studio concentration and tackle a project. Study for three weeks and create a knock-out portfolio. You’ll meet new people, have the option to live on campus, learn from professionals, receive feedback from admissions counselors and participate in a final exhibition of student work. Through the CCS Precollege Summer Experience, you will earn 3.0 college credits, prepare college-level work, develop your interests and talent, and build your portfolio. The Summer Experience program is perfect for high school students who have completed freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year. Resident and commuter enrollment is available.

Select a Studio Concentration

2D Hand Drawn Animation

Develop and enhance your hand-drawing and digital drawing techniques and apply your skills using computer animation software. Learn how to develop animation through ideation, storyboarding and character development.

Blender 3D Modeling

Blender is quickly becoming the leading 3D software used in film, animation, game design, interior design, product design, and more. Learn the basics of this software to launch yourself into the future of digital art and design.

Character Concept and Visual Development

Create your own characters and the world that they live in. Discover the exciting career of developing visual concepts for film, animation, game art and amusement parks. 

Digital Film and Photography

Capture the vibrant people and places that make Detroit unique in still images and video. Experiment with lighting and fashion models in the studio. Work with digital tools, music and sound effects to enhance your projects.

 

Drawing Studio

Solid foundational drawing skills are key to every discipline of art and design. Learn the basic concepts of observational drawing and develop a more volumetric approach. Students will work from live clothed models, still life and reference material. Students will create a full portfolio of work in this course.

 

Illustration

Use both digital and hand-drawing techniques to express yourself visually and tell a story. Experimentation is strongly encouraged as students develop their own style using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Chalk Pastels and more.

 

Streetwear Fashion Design

Experience the energy of Detroit and create a streetwear brand that captures your unique sense of style. Design and fabricate your brand’s first line of sneakers and apparel. Walk away as your own brand ambassador, outfitted from head to toe.

Transportation Design

Experience the challenge and excitement of designing your own concept car of the future. Learn the fundamentals of gestural sketching and perspective for both interiors and exteriors, as well as how to translate designs into 3D models. You will receive feedback on your vehicle concepts from automotive design professionals.

Precollege Summer Experience Details

Tuition & Fees

Resident: $3,695 

Includes room and board, most required art materials, full meal plan, onsite and offsite activities, college credit and studio time.

Commuter: $3,245

Half board, most required art materials, onsite and offsite activities, college credit and studio time.

Residents

Resident students will live on CCS’s campus in the historic and newly renovated A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education or the Art Center Building. The dormitories can only be accessed with an authorized CCS ID card. PCSE students must adhere to the residence hall rules, code of behavior and curfew. No PCSE student can be away from campus overnight unless prior written permission from a parent or guardian is pre-approved by the PCS Office. Students are supervised by the Assistant Resident Life Coordinator, CCS Mentors, and Precollege and Continuing Studies staff 24 hours a day.

Over 90% of Precollege Students live on campus during the Precollege Summer Experience.

Commuters

Commuter students enjoy all the benefits of attending, except commuter students sleep at home. Commuters are required to attend all mandatory classes, open studios, and guest speaker sessions. Commuter students will not have access to the housing facility, but are encouraged to participate in all activities and meet up with other PCSE students in lounges, computer labs, the cafeteria and library.

Food Service

All meals will include options for vegetarians and vegans. Students with special dietary needs or food allergies are requested to note their needs on the PSCE application forms. Accommodations can be made; however, please note that not all dietary restrictions or preferences can be accommodated. All students have access to microwaves and vending machines in common areas. Students with severe food allergies are encouraged to bring supplemental food items with them.

International Students

Students requiring a visa to attend should apply no later than April 1, 2023. Visas are issued through the CCS Office of International Student Services. Courses are taught in English. There are no TOEFL requirements to participate.

Art Supplies

Most required materials are provided for students; however, there  may be specific materials in any concentration that students will require or desire for their work. Families may spend between $50 — $100 on additional materials. CCS’s bookstore maintains a stock of materials. Additional information will be provided in your confirmation packet.

Scholarships

Full and Partial grants may be awarded to students based on both merit and financial need. Scholarships are awarded based on criteria set by the institutions providing grant funding. Scholarship application will be available November 1, 2022. Apply by March 31, 2023. Awards are announced by May 1, 2023.